Minutes – November 18th, 2015

  • Cheri called the meeting to order at 7pm
  • We went around the room and everyone introduced themselves
  • Cheri announced her resignation (letter to be attached)
  • Jamie made a motion to elect a new president on January 20th, seconded by Nancy, unanimously approved.
  • Jamie will accept any nominations for president.
  • Thames River Rally River cleanup will be in the parking lot of Long & McQuade
  • Mike Small joined us and introduced himself
    • New owner of the Vic
    • Has a liquor license application submitted, hopes to have it open at the end of December/beginning of January
    • Menu will be traditional british pub food
    • Building a stage in the games room, hopes to have live music – local bands
    • Will display works from local artists
    • Does not want to change much, wants to restore, capitalize on the history
  • Manitos hopes to open soon (Editor’s Note:  Manitos is now open!)
  • Posno flowers is now closed
  • The legion has the top two floors for lease
  • Nancy Powers gave us an update from the centre of hope
    • She explained the programs that they administer
    • They want to focus on getting people in homes instead of shelters – moving people into the community
    • Will support moving youth out of the centre
    • Crowds in front of the building will dissipate
    • Will provide financial assistance for rent and utility arrears (see http://www.energy.gov.on.ca/en/ontario-electricity-support-program/ for details)
  • Developing a community garden
  • For the love of laundry moved into the pathways building on Horton
  • Cheri introduced the students from Ivey who are helping us with our food security initiative
    • They will be conducting a survey
    • Some ideas they are brainstorming are a greenhouse or providing transportation to grocery stores
    • The second group suggested the option of having delivery, pooling orders – possibly providing a central pickup location
  • Cheri called attention to our food garden in Meredith park
    • Unity church has expressed interest in helping
    • Laurie proposed producing some kind of map to show people what food is where
  • Jamie provided an update on the Active & Green program
  • Cheri provided an update on the Western public history project
  • Cheri asked if anybody was interested in participating in the SoHo Blues event – volunteers are needed
    • This is a brand new event, not replacing/moving an existing event
    • Workign with the great lakes blues society
    • Could use this to drive creating a natural amphitheatre
  • Cheri asked for input on conversion of South/Grey to two-way operation
    • Laurie distributed a survey from Councillor Park on this
  • Jamie made a motion at 8:24pm to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Deb. Unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned