A6

By Shawn Merrithew

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Speak Up

The price of gas continuing to rise has forced the Town of Hartland to increase its mileage rate for its employees.

At Monday night's regular council meeting, deputy Mayor Roy Layte read the resolution, increasing the mileage rate from 40 cents per kilometre to 45 cents a kilometre.

Many of the councillors agreed with the increase and the motion was passed.

Parking poachers

Parking in disabled designated spaces could be costly.

In a provincial effort to combat handicap parking poaching, Hartland council agreed to look at establishing and enforcing it in the town's bylaws.

This decision comes in the wake of Public Safety Minister John Foran's letter urging communities in the Valley to fine parking poachers.

Deputy Mayor Layte said this serious issue will be taken under review to see when it can be added to the town's bylaws.

Fire department praised

The Hartland Fire Department was commended for its efforts in assisting the Grand Falls Fire Department with the search of a 13-year-old girl, who was swept away by the current at the Grand Falls Gorge last month while swimming with friends.

Coun. David Gormley praised fire chief Mike Walton and his men for their assistance in the search. While he wished the outcome could have been better, Gormley said it was great to see the men help out a fellow community in need.

Summer repairs

Hartland public works crews were busy last month getting the town ready for the summer season.

In his report to council, supervisor Fred Roberts said crews were busy patching all of the town streets in need of repair and fixed the shoulder along the Cloverdale Road. Water leaks on Hillcrest Avenue, Elm Street and High Street were fixed, and maintenance work was completed to the visitor information centre and the arena.

Coun. Gormley said public works has done a great job in getting the town ready for the summer tourist season.

"Between the beautification committee and public works, everything looks wonderful," Gormley said.

Coun. Wayne Rideout agreed, adding he too was pleased with the crews' efforts.

Tourism hurting

The number of visitors to the town continues to drop.

Coun. Susan MacLeod reported the number of tourists for June has taken another five per cent decrease from last year. In addition, she added, bus traffic has decreased by 18 per cent from 2007.

Many of the councillors blame the decrease on the changes to the new highway, but a new Welcome to Hartland sign at the Waterville exit is expected to remedy the downward turn. The new sign is expected to installed later this year.

Drive-in theatre returns

With the drive-in theatres quickly becoming a thing of the past, Hartland hopes to revitalize the popular movie-viewing experience this summer.

Covered Bridge Community Lifestyles Inc. will host an outdoor family movie night next Saturday, July 19, to raise money for the Central Carleton Recreation Plex.

The unique movie experience gets underway at 9:30 p.m. at the Tracy Ball Field and will feature Walt Disney's National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children.

Recreation director Kent Kuhn said this is the first of three summer movie events, and he looks forward to a great evening. If successful, he plans to host more in the future.