by Angela Freeman
I am writing to encourage the City of Owen Sound to amend its current By-law 1997-089 in order to permit backyard laying hens within the city limits. As a resident of Owen Sound, I see the addition of chickens as an excellent opportunity for the City to adopt policies and create by-laws that foster sustainable and environmental practices, and support the growth of local food systems. Owen Sound has a strong local food movement and a close link to its rural food sources, yet what is more local than going to your backyard to find fresh organic egg?
Eggs area low-cost excellent source of protein and the flexibility of their use can benefit any household kitchen. Omelets or baked goods anyone? Eggs are also a great way to increase a sense of community between neighbours, as extra eggs can be shared between households.
The benefits of backyard chickens extend beyond eggs as a food source. Chickens make excellent pets, and are enjoyable to watch. People develop friendships with these fine birds. Hens also present opportunity for children to learn about the source of their food directly. Children helping with the simple chores involved with maintaining hens learn how to take care of animals, and also learn responsibility. Chickens can also be part of an ecological-centred yard as chickens eat many vegetative kitchen scraps, eat pests and also produce beneficial and sought-after manure. Thus, when I think of urban hens, I think of fresh eggs, education, food security, garden ecology, and entertainment!
Tomorrow is the last day to offer your input into Bluewater District School Board's review of its Multi-Year Strategic Plan in a survey at www.bwdsb.on.ca.
The current Strategic Plan was launched in January 2012 following "comprehensive consultation with stakeholders" and includes the following vision, mission and priorities:
Vision: "Preparing Our Students Today for the World of Tomorrow"
Mission: "We are a learning organization committed to providing a quality educational experience for every student in a safe and caring environment."
Priorities:
1. Ensure the well-being of students and staff in a supportive environment for teaching, learning and
working
2. Provide quality instruction and learning experiences in an equitable and inclusive environment
3. Encourage parent engagement
In June 2014, a fourth priority was established:
4. Be accountable for the responsible stewardship of resources
The survey includes a series of 10 questions regarding the vision, mission and priorities to determine whether or not the Multi-Year Strategic Plan still meets the needs of Bluewater District School Board. There is also a short video to welcome participants to the survey.
The Sweetwater Music Brass Festival presents Horns a Plenty at the Georgian Shores United Church in Owen Sound on April 24-25. Join the SweetWater Music Festival as we celebrate this versatile family of instruments. The festival features True North Brass, The Don E. Johnson Brass Ensemble, and an open clinic for students and community Musicians. For a more indepth look at this, read our article on Horns A Plenty.
Friday Afternoon Coffee House & Open Mic at The Bleeding Carrot from 4:00PM 'til 6:00PM every Friday. Bring your voice, your guitar or whatever other instrument you play, or just come to listen. Your MC, Kelly Babcock has a spot for you on his welcoming stage. Piano available. Free admission
Friday at 6:00PM the monthly Frog Pond Coffeehouse with your host Paul Danard. Open mic format, where anything can happen. On 'til 8:00 PM.
When Denise Freeman and her partner Edward Marchewka take their long-haired dachshund Winston out for his daily constitutional, the trip does double duty. The pair have made it their practice to pick up trash as they walk through their west-side neighbourhood, making every day an Earth Day.
By Hub staff
"This is the wrong prescription for the country," said Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound NDP candidate David McLaren after listening to Finance Minister Joe Oliver deliver his first federal budget.
"This government has put all its economic eggs in one basket – the oil sands – and those tax revenues have dropped," said McLaren in a telephone interview. "This political budget, with its tax credits and cuts for people the Conservatives hope will vote for them, takes even more money out of the coffers so that the government can no longer do what governments need to do." As an example, McLaren says that the government has sent Canadian troops into harm's way, but money that was previously budgeted as necessary for defence spending and veterans' services was not spent on their needs.
The government announced a budget surplus of $1.4 billion, achieved, says McLaren, by taking $2 billion out of the $3 million contingency fund, and selling General Motors stock purchased during the bail out at a loss.
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