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Gene Haas Foundation donates $40,000 for Georgian College students

Georgian College students in the mechanical technician and precision skills program could soon benefit from a generous donation.

Dan Ferko, President of Sirco Machinery Co. Ltd., a Canadian Haas Factory Outlet, visited the college recently to present a cheque for $40,000 US to senior staff and faculty. The money will support the Gene Haas Scholarship for students in the mechanical technician and precision skills program who achieve an average of 75 per cent or higher in their third semester.

“We are committed to helping Georgian College students achieve their goals of pursuing a career in the trades,” said Ferko.

Since 2014, the Gene Haas Foundation has donated over $134,000 and more than 100 students have benefited from the scholarship. This year 32 students each received $1,717 in awards and scholarships courtesy of the foundation.


Five things happening at the Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce

1. Win $5,000 — Every registered player in its Sept. 14 golf tournament at Tangle Creek has a chance to win a prize valued at $5,000 from Turkish Airlines, regardless of their golfing abilities. The prize will be awarded at the tourney. To play or be a sponsor, call the BCC at 705-721-5000 or visit

2. Amazon Project — BCC members have access to an invite-only pilot project with one-on-one interactions with Amazon’s direct sales team, free of charge, to help you evaluate and use the right tools for your business. A webinar takes place Aug. 15; sign up here:

3. Know Your Power — Join the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Barrie Chamber for a free breakfast seminar on Thursday, Aug. 23 to learn about practical energy cost-saving programs that are available for businesses in Ontario. Register at

4. Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) — BCC is offering free access to the acclaimed Trade Accelerator Program to its members. TAP is designed to help you develop a market entry/export strategy to get the best global exposure for your business’s products or services. Session start as early as Aug. 28. For more information, visit: 

5.  Israel Consul General — BCC is hosting the Israel Consul General on Aug. 27 to brief its membership and community on the benefits of engaging in trade with the Israel. Sign up at or call the chamber at to find out more.

Collingwood-area home sales rebound in July

Residential sales recorded through the MLS system for the Southern Georgian Bay region totalled 313 units in July 2018. This was little changed from July 2017, rising by just one sale. That said, it was still the first year-over-year increase since March 2017.

On a year-to-date basis, home sales totalled 1,784 units over the first seven months of the year. This was down 26.5 per cent from the same period in 2017.

The Southern Georgian Bay region comprises two distinctive markets.

Home sales in the western region, which includes Wasaga Beach, Clearview Township, Collingwood, The Blue Mountains, the municipality of Meaford, and Grey Highlands, numbered 159 units in July 2018. This was down 4.2 per cent (seven sales) from July 2017.

On a year-to-date basis, home sales in the western region numbered 1,078 units over the first seven months of the year. This was down 24.9 per cent from the same period in 2017.

Meanwhile, home sales in the eastern region, encompassing the towns of Midland and Penetanguishene, the townships of Tay and Tiny, Severn, and Georgian Bay townships, numbered 154 units in July 2018. This was up 5.5 per cent (eight sales) from July 2017.

On a year-to-date basis, home sales in the eastern region numbered 706 units over the first seven months of the year. This was down 28.8 per cent from the same period in 2017.

“The standout in the July housing data for the region was sales in the eastern district, which jumped 32 per cent on a seasonally adjusted basis compared to June,” said Matthew Lidbetter, president of the Southern Georgian Bay Association of REALTORS®. “After a slow start to 2018, it was the first real sign that things may be starting to turn the corner. It comes alongside improving sales activity in a number of other markets in and around the GTA.”

There were 514 new residential listings in July 2018. This was little changed on a year-over-year basis, down just 0.2 per cent or just one listing. Still, it was the lowest supply of new listings to hit the market in July since 2002.

Overall supply remains near record lows. Active residential listings numbered 1,190 units at the end of July. This was down 2.9 per cent from the end of July 2017.

Months of inventory numbered 3.8 at the end of July 2018, little changed from the 3.9 months recorded at the end of July 2017 and well below the long-run average of 8.1 months for this time of year. The number of months of inventory is the number of months it would take to sell current inventories at the current rate of sales activity.

The dollar value of all residential transactions in July 2018 was $141.5 million, up 6.7 per cent from this time in 2017.

Sales of all property types numbered 350 units in July 2018, down 1.4 per cent (five sales) from July 2017. The total value of all properties sold was $151.2 million, up 4.5 per cent from July 2017.

Penetanguishene to commission downtown art project

The Town of Penetanguishene will be directing part of a $43,000 grant to brighten up the downtown.

At the request of Deputy Mayor Anita Dubeau, council approved a motion to use $20,000 of the grant they received from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to commission and install multiple pieces of art within the Main Street corridor.

The proposal did see some opposition from a few councillors, who felt the entirety of the grant should be put toward debt.

“Our job is to have good roads, safe water and keep our taxes as low as possible, not worry about art. That is not our priority today,” said Coun. Doug Rawson.

In the end the motion passed 6-3, as the majority of council believed they needed to spruce up the downtown.

“I think we have a responsibility to our citizens far beyond just keeping the good roads and taxes down,” said Mayor Gerry Marshall. “We need to have a town that is vibrant, engaging and active and makes people proud to be a part of.”

An ad hoc committee, to be made up of public and council members, will debate exactly what the money is used for. The remaining $23,000 will go toward debt.

Mark Taylor – Severn Ward 1

I love where I live and I am proud of Severn Township’s beauty and history.

I grew up on a family farm in North River with my 8 siblings and attended SS #8 Matchedash Public School, Coldwater Public School, and Park Street Collegiate Institute in Orillia. I graduated from the University of Guelph with a BSc in Food Science and have been working in the food industry for 40 years.

As a councillor, I supported the water and sewer project in the West Shore, various bridge and road projects in Ward 1, and the start up of the Coldwater Curling Club. I was previously a member of the Severn Sound Environmental Association and I am currently a director on the Southeast Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce. If elected, I will continue to strongly support the Coldwater Community Centre, the Matchedash Community Heritage Centre, the Coldwater Mill, Coldwater Memorial Library, Coldwater Canadiana Museum and the Fire and Emergency Services for the Township, which includes Station 4 in Ward 1 and our Roads Department.

In recent years, the Township has budgeted funds for hamlets, villages, and our beautiful trails and I believe this should be continued.

We must be fiscally responsible with the replacement of the Township’s infrastructure and assets. Our tax payers deserve quality roads and bridges. We have to work with the Provincial Government regarding dangerous fires on crown land, as well as the Province’s Heritage Mapping, which will have a huge impact on future development.

My pledge is to represent the constituents of Ward 1 with a strong and sensible voice and to effectively work with council and staff as a team to ensure the success of the Township.

With your support on Election Day, I will be honoured to serve as councillor of Ward 1 in Severn Township.

Your Vote Matters

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