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- rd er . a » = = Municipally Yours 1 spent part of the last two weekends in Ottawa taking in university basketball and watching three young people from our community play. Anne Murphy, daughter of Janet and Doug Murphy of Murphy Road is playing as a 1rst year stu- dent for the Queen's Women's team. Matt and Pat Ross, sons of Heather and Don Ross of Chapman's Crescent, are playing for the Carleton Ravens Men's team which was the National Champion last year, It was great basketball and 1 have to admit some pride to see such accomplishment from our corner of the County. To top it off for me, I was greeted at the door in surprise by Kerri Cole , danghter of Lynn nd Rosealee Cole of Old Milford Road. Kerri has been a Marysburgh Mummer and is now a first year student and tes member of the cheerleading team at Carleton. They were performing at the game enroute to the National finals in Hamilton next weekend. It certainly isn't cheerleading as I remember it in high school - watching that is. This is very athletic and downright dangerous with their pyramids and flips and human bean bag tosses. So what's that got to do with municipal government, you might ask? Well it's about the discussions regarding the Rec Plex. When the Rec Plex was presented to Council as being "for sale" back in the spring, I viewed it as a real es- tate transaction being presented by real estate people on behalf of the current owners. This time round, there is a different tone and persuasion in considering the Rec Plex as a "community" asset - and one we might lose. This lat- ter option was not one being considered last spring to my knowledge. While I personally know the benefits of the pool exercise program, I have appreciated the comments from various citizens about the role the Rec Plex has played in their family in teaching kids to swim, therapy for seniors and some of us not so senior we think, socializing opportunities for people of all ages and "achievement" - provincial and national award winners - including the cur- rent Olympic swimming hopeful, Jessica Craig. I have compared the Rec Plex to an arena, with no judgement other than what happens at arenas being valuable to our community in developing skill, confidence, leadership, team effort, care for others, fun and social skills. It's actu- ally the same way I look at Mount Tabor - our local arena. 1 think it is a good model. We subsidize our skating are- nas - about $100,000 each in operation and maintenance costs with the other $100,000 coming from user fees. A 1% tax increase is the equivalent of approximately $150,000. Are we as taxpayers prepared to absorb that kind of ongoing cost relative to the Rec Plex? Purchase of the land and building is another matter and County staff are considering the various scenarios for presentation to Coun- av} cil. Your opinions are very important so keep the comments and letters and e-mails coming. If you want to drop them in my mail box( #1702, Cty Rd. 17), I will ensure distribution to the Mayor and all of Council. New tonic - for those of you in the v pul Lane, Thave asked for it to be e vic on the agen genda lic Works Committee on December 2. My pitch w it should be open year round because the sense I have it is very much traveled when there isn't : let's g ! lances and fire trucks too if necessary. Now it is not that simple of course because sections of this road will need Laat some work, but if vou use it regularly, I need t VET ne 0 vou by letter or phone to confirm that this is what you want. South Marysburgh has the highest number of seasonal roads in the County. Not all of these roads need to be vear round, nor are any on the five (5) year Capital Works Roads Plan now that Crowe's Road has been assumed. For Continued on page 15 St. Philip's Anglican Church Milford in Bloom & the Milford Bistro are pleased to bring you MILFORD'S ANNUAL COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS Wed., Dec. 15, 2004 6:30 pm Meet on the Post Office front lawn Carolling, Christmas Tree light- ing, Horse drawn wagon rides (board at the Church) and Seasonal refreshments FOOD BANK DONATIONS WOULD BE APPRECIATED Thank you for decorating your barrels & planters for the winter season