3rd Annual Appreciation BBQ~ The BBQ will be held at Pinafore Park in St. Thomas from 4:30PM-7:00PM ~ August 26 at the East Pavilion. Free of charge and everyone welcome!
 
Local News
On Friday, August 14th, Joe and colleague Ed Holder, MP for London West hosted roundtable discussions with the Honourable Diane Finley, Minster of Human Resources and Skills Development along with the Regional Minister for Southern Ontario. For more details http://www.joeprestonmp.ca/EN/3634/95053
 
CRTC~Many calls and concerns have been forwarded to the office regarding cable and satellite service providers and the CRTC.  The CRTC (The Canadian-Radio Telecommunications commission is in charge of regulating and supervising Canadian broadcasting and telecommunications) established the Local Programming Improvement Fund (LPIF) in response to assisting local television.  Since that time, satellite and cable companies have transferred the fee onto the consumer.  As a consumer and Member of Parliament, Joe has addressed this issue with his service provider and waiting their response.
 
Calling on everyone! The Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of St. Thomas and Elgin contacted our office regarding the need for new school supplies.  Many families are in need of the essentials for the 2009-2010 school year including back packs, lunch boxes, binders, pencils, pens, pencil crayons etc. If you are able, please send any new supplies to the organization to help our young children out. http://www.bbbselgin.org/en/Home/default.aspx
 
Port Stanley Harbour Update~The environmental assessments are nearing completion and work continues on the risk assessment with feedback from the MOE being addressed.
 
Events
On Monday, August 17th, Joe hosted with Members of Municipal Councils and Administration at the Association of Ontario Municipalities annual meeting in Ottawa.  Several of Elgin-Middlesex-London Municipalities attended.
 
On Thursday, August 20, 2009, Joe participated in the Iron Chef Competition, part of the Iron Horse Festival in St. Thomas. And then the RAINS came! Winners will be announced next year as the event was postponed.
 
Congratulations to the Elgin Beef Producers on their extremely successful beef BBQ held at Pinafore Park on Wednesday, August 19th. Over 900 people enjoyed the excellent food and friendship.
 
Government Happenings
 
On Saturday, August 15th, the Government of Canada announced support for the hog industry.  For more details http://www.joeprestonmp.ca/EN/3634/95049
 
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper launched the new Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario in Kitchener, Ontario. For details http://www.joeprestonmp.ca/EN/3634/95047
 
Citizen Recognition
Ian Tyson, a resident of St. Thomas and motivational speaker has launched a website www.randomaok.ca  (Random Acts of Kindness).   His website encourages and promotes methods of ‘paying it forward’.
I encourage everyone to visit Ian’s website and salute Ian for making our community and our country a better place to live.
 
Meetings and Delegations
Joe met with many individuals and groups throughout the past 2 weeks including discussions with Minister Finley regarding the guaranteed income supplement, participation in the Aylmer Fair Elected Official competition, meetings with the St. Thomas Christian Church, Fieldgate Organics, and The Mayor of St. Thomas and Clerk of St. Thomas.  Joe met with members and engineers from the County of Elgin to discuss erosion on Dexter Line on site.
 
Once again, thank you for reading!
Have a safe and happy summer!