A suggestion to donate funds to replace trees in Goderich has left councillors here feeling a little green – Green Legacy that is.
On Sept. 7 councillors received a letter from Petrolia.
That town’s resolution was that it donate $100 to assist Goderich in the replacement of trees lost in the recent tornado.
Petrolia also suggested that municipalities across Ontario consider a similar move. However, when the issue arose at Puslinch, councillor Wayne Stokley suggested councillors take the next step.
Stokley asked, “Could the Green Legacy also be a part of this?” In that case, instead of money, the donation could be trees, Stokley said. He said the local Green Legacy nursery might be able to provide trees.
Stokley agreed the program is run by Wellington County, but asked if it could be used as a means of moving some of its seedlings or trees to the Goderich area for replanting.
“It’s certainly a good idea,” offered Mayor Dennis Lever.
He noted shortly after the tornado, Wellington County Warden Chris White contacted a Huron County official to offer assistance.
Lever asked what assistance Puslinch offered. Clerk Brenda Law said she had sent a note to the chief administrative officer of Goderich, but had not heard back. Lever said he would bring up the Green Legacy idea at the county planning committee.
Stokley said that is well worth pursuing. “We have the opportunity to put Green Legacy and the nursery to an ever greater use than it is right now,” he said.
Councillor Susan Fielding added it might still be appropriate to make some kind of cash donation. “We did that after the tsunami in Asia – I believe we gave $2,000.”
While the county also made a donation of $85,000, Fielding said Puslinch made one as well.
Fielding said something should be done in the spirit of being neighbours.
“We might be in that position one day, too.”
She proposed a $1,000 donation to help the town with cleanup and restoration.
The motion carried.
