City

: Published: 09 February 2015

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: Published: 27 January 2015

TOM-reg On Tuesday, January 27th from 5 to 6:30 PM, the Tom Thomson Art Gallery Board will present an updated status report to its members at the Owen Sound Library.

The session will be led by Board Chair Linda Myles-Gallinger, with reports from Transition Committee Chair, Michael Warren, and Chair of the Tom Thomson Art Foundation, Robert McKinnon.

Linda Myles- Gallinger said, "The members will be provided with an overview of what has taken place since the gallery began its investigation into becoming an incorporated, charitable not-for-profit corporation."

Mr. Warren will outline the vision for a new gallery. "It is predicated on the belief the gallery must expand in order to be become a major economic and cultural driver for the city. We see it offering an exceptional half-day experience for all visitors."

: Published: 27 January 2015

anne-council-third-reg By Anne Finlay-Stewart

Joachim Ostertag and Colleen Purdon, speaking for the Inclusive Communities Committee, announced that for the fifth year Owen Sound will be hosting a One World Festival – a celebration of our local diversity with displays and performances from dozens of community groups and individuals. Hundreds of school children attend but all are welcome in the Market Square behind city hall May 22 from 9:30 to 2:30.
The Precarious Work Group of Peace and Justice Grey Bruce presented their final report and recommendations to council. See The Hub story on this initiative.

: Published: 24 January 2015

water-reg Next Wednesday, January 28, the city's operations committee will be considering whether to recommend making Owen Sound a blue community.

Becoming a blue community means:

1. recognizing water as a human right – following in the steps of the United Nations and the Canadian government

2. promoting publicly financed, owned, and operated water & wastewater services

3. phasing out bottled water in public facilities and events

The community of Owen Sound has shown significant support for these principles, and that support continues to grow.

: Published: 24 January 2015

By Anne Finlay-Stewart

Tom Thomson Art Gallery

Creativity at the Gallery is not limited to the art on the walls. Its partnership with ROOTS in its Tom Thomson line has been bringing in $3-4000 a month, and consideration is being given to expanding the offerings to include canoe and kayak paddles. The full budget has yet to be approved by the Gallery board, but the city's share of $282, 470 will be slightly less than a third of the operating budget.

Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library

The Library's budget too is the responsibility of an independent board which represents its three member communities – Owen Sound, Chatsworth and Georgian Bluffs. Although its staffing levels per open hours are among the lowest in the province, the draft budget does not include staffing increases. Contractual increases follow the city's non-union salary and benefit process.

Ironically, the technology that vastly improves customer service also cuts revenues as patrons are able to renew books on-line and avoid fines!