By Barb McKay.

Kincardine will erect a bronze plaque in memory of Charles Mann at the bottom of Harbour Street in conjunction with Canada Day celebrations. The effort to have a plaque installed in memory of the decorated Second World War veteran and former Kincardine mayor was initiated by resident Pam Hallam and was supported by letters from Mann’s family, the Royal Canadian Legion MacDonald Branch #183, the First Special Service Force Association, Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb MP, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson MPP, the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band and other individuals and organizations. Bruce Power has donated $1,000 towards the $5,400 cost of the plaque and the municipality will cover the remainder. *Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit (SMART) provided an update of its operations. Currently, Kincardine has 162 clients who are registered for the transit service. In 2018, clients from Kincardine took 4,022 rides compared to 3,248 rides in 2017, an increase of 23.83 per cent, SMART Manager Roger Cook reported. There are nine municipalities who partner with SMART and provide annual funding to help cover operating costs. Kincardine’s share of the 2019 municipal contribution is $78,891.88, up from $74,482.10 in 2018 and up from $76,006.95 in 2017. The contribution makes up one per cent of the municipality’s taxation. KIncardine is considering providing one-time funding to SMART to purchase new accessible vans, if other member municipalities also contribute. “Just remember, the municipality subsidizes each ride,” said Mayor Anne Eadie. “It’s a valuable service and that’s why we subsidize it. If we didn’t, it wouldn’t exist.” *Canada Day fireworks will be held in Tiverton this year as part of the Tiverton Reunion. “It’s really great to see this in Tiverton as part of their event, I think it will add great value,” said Deputy Mayor Marie Wilson.

Full coverage of news from this week’s Municipality of Kincardine council meeting will be published in our next edition.