Council members press for keeping grant money local

$21,250 going to local organizations in 2010 budget

Posted By Ron Giofu/The Amherstburg Echo

Posted 2 months ago

AMHERSTBURG — Where to allocate municipal grant requests turned into a hot topic during budget deliberations by town council.

During the Tuesday portion of their two-day budget deliberations last week, town council heard that of the $47,050 requested by 14 area organizations, $21,250 was allocated. Many council members zeroed in on a recommended $2,000 grant to the Windsor Symphony and would be successful in chopping that down to $500, with the remainder going to a pair of local organizations.

Councillor Bob Pillon noted that the town gave $700 in the 2009 budget to Close to Home, a McGregor-based group helping give access to computers to children and seniors lacking access to one. He was successful in getting that grant re-instituted for 2010.

"I think we can take a little out of the Windsor Symphony (grant recommendation)," said Pillon. "You are dealing with two different classes. People going to the Windsor Symphony can afford to go to the symphony."

Pillon believed that the tourism and economic development budget could assist as well.

"We've got to try and keep as much (money) in the community as we can," he said.

Deputy Mayor Robert Bailey agreed, saying that Close to Home is making an impact on local residents.

"It has a definite benefit to youth in the community," said Bailey.

The Knights of Columbus had annually received an $800 grant, pointed out Councillor Rick Fryer, but noted the recommendations by administration had left them out as well. He noted that money went towards the K of C's annual chili cookoff, an event that sees proceeds go to local charities. That money would be reinstated as well.

The Windsor Symphony's grant was to go towards a summer concert as well as their annual Christmas concert. Councillor Rosa White supported the original $2,000 recommendation and said requests should be decided on merit, not the class of the individuals they benefit.

"It's not about one versus the other," said White.

White argued that the Windsor Symphony brings culture to the community and her colleagues they "have to look at the big picture" as such concerts help make Amherstburg unique from other municipalities. Creating culture helps draw people to town and that creates business, she added.

"I come from a world of creating a pie and from that pie, everyone eats," she said. "If we don't bring business in here to support the tax base, we're not going to give anything to anyone."

Mayor Wayne Hurst hoped groups that were left out wouldn't become "disenfranchised" and that the real issue of the debate is "how to carve the pie" when it came to allocating limited funds to groups. CAO Pam Malott pointed out that the $21,250 designated to local groups in the 2010 was down from the $24,050 handed out in 2009.