News
Port Stanley BIA creates a stir by rebranding holiday weekend
The Port Stanley Business Improvement Area seems to have encountered a few re-branding bumps in the road as villagers continue to question the BIA management board’s decision to change the name of its once popular Dickens Days Christmas celebrations. While the Port Stanley Lions and Lioness clubs’ Dickens Day Night Parade will continue as usual…
Read MoreCouckuyt: vulgarities unacceptable at meetings
Aylmer Mayor Jack Couckuyt and Deputy Mayor Pete Barbour, at a council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 5, condemned the use of profanities and the vulgarity of some comments made at a prior meeting at Old Town Hall on Oct. 15. They didn’t mention anyone by name, but appeared to be referring to Tyler Desrosiers, spouse…
Read MorePolice chief: downtown Aylmer is safe
Aylmer Police Chief Kyle Johnstone is offering reassurances to families who may have left Aylmer Old Town Hall on Oct. 15 with doubts about their children’s safety. During a council meeting there about the future of the library, a couple speakers suggested the town was unsafe for youngsters. Local realtor Johnny Friesen and Aylmer Councillor Kathryn…
Read MoreGrozelle: property taxes in town below average for region
The tax paid by property owners in Aylmer to the town each year are below the per capita rate and average tax burden in municipalities across Southwestern Ontario, Administrator Andy Grozelle will report to town council’s finance committee on Wednesday, Nov. 5. The town, he wrote, “continues to prioritize affordability and cost-efficiency as key objectives.”…
Read MoreA Halloween Haunt on Tarry Parkway
Tarry Parkway homeowner Steven Tolles went above and beyond in observing the Halloween theme this year. In addition to an elaborate front yard display and family members dressed as witches, he turned his garage into a “haunt,” featuring animatronic characters and eerie lighting. A big crowd was already gathering by 6 p.m. For more, see…
Read MoreSouthwold officially opens new fire station
An open house at Southwold Township’s new Talbotville fire station on Oct. 25 showcased state-of-the-art amenities intended to help safeguard the rural community’s transition to accommodate rapid economic expansion across Elgin County. “The timing is ideal,” County Warden and Southwold Mayor Grant Jones told a small crowd at the event. “It’s been a long process…
Read MoreHomes must have deadly gas detectors on every level by Jan. 1
All homes must now have carbon monoxide (CO) detectors on every level, not just near bedrooms, Aylmer Fire Services Coordinator Charity Fisher informed the Express recently. Carbon monoxide is a potentially deadly gas, and so far this year Aylmer firefighters have already responded to three calls with such gas confirmed as present in a home.…
Read MoreIntegrity commissioner admonishes Central Elgin council
Central Elgin addressed municipal code of conduct complaints against councillors Morgaine Griffin and Michelle Graham on Oct. 6, amidst integrity commissioner (IC) admonitions that “enmity” between members of council seems to have sparked a total of 13 code complaints in the past six months at a cost to taxpayers of about $16,300. A report on…
Read MoreAylmer council votes 5-1 for library expansion
Warning: this story contains strong language “The time has come to make a decision,” Mayor Jack Couckuyt told fellow Aylmer council members at a special meeting at Old Town Hall, about that building’s future, on Wednesday, Oct. 15. They voted 5-1 in favour of an option to expand the Old Town Hall library and upstairs…
Read MoreSteve Peter steps back after 37 years in politics
Steve Peters resigned his seat as a member of St. Thomas council on Oct. 15, with hopes of creating more time for family, and his passion for local history, while also focusing on his year-old role as chair of the Leamington-based Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) board of directors. “I’m 62 years old, I was…
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