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The Adult Learning and Resource Centre for Niagara West came home from the first-ever Literacy Link Niagara awards with a feather in its cap. The Beamsville-bused centre earned the Outstanding Adult Learn- ing Program award for 2002 for its Transitional Program. Adult Learning Centre wins best program award "The whole program was designed and created by us at the Adult Learning and Resource Centre," ex- plained Susan Bucking- ham, program manager at the centre, Councils can now discuss sale of public property in closed session Because of changes to the Municipal Act, municipali- ties will be able to conduct discussions of the sale or disposal of public property behind closed doors. The change came 'into effect Jan, l, 2003. There are three other existing circumstances under which a municipal council can go "in camera": personnel issues. acquisi- tion ol" property, and legal matters. Previously. municipalities could consider the purchase of lands in closed session but were required to consid- er the sale of lands in open session. "This is a new authority granted to council under the new Municipal Act." explained William Kolasa, Lincoln's new director of corporate services/clerk during, last Monday','; meet- ing of Lincoln Council. The program is geared Mayor Ray Konkle was surprised by the change. "We have always gone into closed session for both the purchase and sale of land," he said. “If we didn't have the right to, nobody toldus." The new process for the sale of land will be: prior to the dispysal of any property, Focus on Lincoln 'rt,fie council will have to pass a resolution at a meeting open to the public to declare the property to be surplus. V The program was piloted about three years ago, and is now up and running The town will also have to have the property appraised and will have to run at least one notice in a local newspaper not less than five days prior to the disposal of the property. "Most often it's people whose long-term goals require a college educa- tion. It's all about realistic goal setting and how to overcome the boundaries you run into." she said, adding there are a lot of "40-plus" clients in the program . Any final decision to sell or dispose of property will have to be made in a meet- ing open to the public. KING STREET PARKING The issue of the missing parking spaces on King Street on the south side of the road near Hixon Street. isn't closed yet, says Alderman Rob Foster. "l have some grave con- towards adults who need academic upgrading or are unsure of their goals. Ms. Buckingham said it "fast forwards" participants to- wards "sustainable devel, opment". O/lil, ILEN CiojrdN The Grimsby Lincoln News' cams about the way the region has handled this, especially about the word- ing in the letter from the region ," said Ald. Foster. He said the letter states that the parking Won't be reinstated because Lincoln Council said at one point that the spaces weren't needed. She said it gives the cen- tre some "inspiration and strength" to move on to other new projects. "lt's really kind of grati- fying to win the award because it is something we started here from scratch," said Ms. Buckingham. The Adult Learning and Resource Centre is' located at 4996 Beam St. in Beamsville across the province. It is funded by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Ms. Bucking- ham said they are also gearing up to present it at a national conference in Ottawa this month. It was also recently featured in the Ontario Literacy Coal- ition's Best Practices and Innovations bulletin. "We have the right to change our minds," said Ald. Foster. Mayor Konkle suggested a delegation to the region's Public Works committee meeting might be in order. "The Public Works chair and the director of Public Works needs to put togeth- er a presentation on why those spaces are required and go to the region," he said. Gainsborough Public School is running a program from November to June Called R of Empathy, in which a parent and babé come and visit the Grade 1 class Once a m Dots The December 12 visit coincided with anta Claus being at the school, so irii'-ck"dft?J/,1 Michaela had her photo taken with Santa, her mom, and two of the Grade Ones. Pier -colry with Santa are Petra Perry-Schalle, 6-year-old Carly McCollum, baby Michaela ured Michaela's sister, Meaghan, who is 6 years old. , and Boots of Empathy KING ST. v Store & Building will be available for lease. Contact Dave " 905-563-8242 Co-op, and now Country Depot, 1t nas Deen uecrueu Lu VAS-""-"" the doors. We will be liquidating our entire Inventory at 20% to 50 % off regular prices starting Saturday, Jan. II, 9:00-5:00 p.m. & Sunday, January 12, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. . Pet Foods . Electric Fence Supplies . Dog & Cat Collars & Leases . Farm Fence . Dog & Cat Accessories . Chain Link . Wild Bird Seed & Feeders . Cedar Fence Posts . Aquarium Supplies . Welded Wire . Motor Oils & Auto Accessories . Poultry Wire . Hand Tools . Tubular Gates . Farm Supplies . Plumbing Supplies - Lawn & Garden Supplies . Paint Supplies . Fertilizers . Boots & Rain Wear . Ice Melting Products After over thirty years in business, known as the Beamsville Co-op, and now Country Depot, it has been decided to close Going. Out of Business Sale! North O.E.W. EVERYTHING MUST tAN Lots more too numerous to list! Store Fixtures, Shelving & Racking gantry "'i"l2,'gnflrisE" \Dafl’t 905-563-8?42 Electric Fence Supplies Farm Fence Chain Link Cedar Fence Posts Welded Wire Poultry Wire Tubular Gates Plumbing Supplies Paint Supplies Boots & Rain Wear w Photo ty Terry McNamee