Conservatives sneer at provincial budget
By Bill Rea
      Finance Minister Dwight Duncan seemed pretty impressed with the provincial budget he brought down last week, and his fellow Liberals are cheering him. But the same can't be said for Conservatives, both in Ottawa and at Queen's Park.
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County council approves new MADD 911 program
      Simcoe County Council has approved a program that will encourage local residents to use the 911 emergency phone system to report impaired drivers. County councillors recently voted to enter into a partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) of Barrie-Simcoe and RIDE 24/7, a large coal...
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Flooding expected in several areas across town
By Chris Simon
      Warm temperatures and rainfall over the last few days are expected to cause flooding and ice break-up throughout the Lake Simcoe watershed. The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority has issued a flood advisory through the rest of today.
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Town approves new building permit fee rates
By Chris Simon
      Building permit fees will be bumped up by five per cent. Innisfil council passed a few changes to the town's current fees and charges, including the increase, during a meeting last week.
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National media missing a good story
A political point of view
By Peter Van Loan MP, York-Simcoe
      Constituents will often come to me with helpful suggestions on how we can communicate better with Canadians. Often, the suggestion is along the lines of something like, "you should point out that the Liberal promises would put Canada billions of dollars into debt and deficit." Far too often, the...
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Essa keeps up pressure for new high school
By Richard Blanchard
      Essa council will continue to keep a focus on bringing a new high school to the township with both staff at the provincial Ministry of Education and local MPP's. Council discussed the need to ensure that both groups are aware of the need for the high school.
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Speaker at Georgian Downs
      The Greater Innisfil Chamber of Commerce's Business Tips Speaker Series will continue with Debt Collection - A Delicate Art April 9. Speaker Bradley Rice, of Central Credit Control, will discuss granting credit, collection procedures, and maintaining control over bad debt.
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Cookstown residents have reason to celebrate
COOKSTOWN NEWS
by Barb Baguley
      There is good reason to celebrate this week in Cookstown. The Province of Ontario has approved a $2.8 million grant to assist with the construction of the new Cookstown library and community centre on the former Cookstown Agricultural Society property.
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Night at the Museum planned for next week
THORNTON NEWS
by Cathie Miller
      Isn't it grand to see the snow going away? I even found crocus trying to peek through the snow on my lawn on Sunday afternoon. Do you have your tickets for the best show around? The Thornton Skating Club will be presenting A Night at the Museum on ice. Their skating carnival will be held Saturday...
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Historical society discusses police memorabilia recently
By Florence Blanchard
      Essa Historical Society held a meeting at the Thornton library recently. The meeting was opened by honourary president Brian Baker with the Lord's Prayer. Secretary Olive Lee read the minutes from the January meeting.
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