Bar owner says loss of gaming machine income will force him to shut down after 25 years

A8

By Meg Edwards
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT staff

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PORT ELGIN - Port Elgin council has voted unanimously to support a small business and friend of the town, J.J.'s Bar.

Jim Gillis, the owner of J.J.'s Bar, is in a battle to keep his business alive since Atlantic Lottery informed him he would be losing his five VLTs (video lottery terminals). Atlantic Lottery has said the machines are not making enough money in that location. The council agreed to write a letter to Atlantic Lottery in his support.

In a letter to council, Gillis described how he and his wife Sandra have put 25 years of their lives into the business and will have to shut it down if he loses the income from the gambling machines.

Said Mayor Judy Scott, "Jim has been very active in the town and will be truly missed. I don't endorse gambling but it is a shame to lose that business and have an empty building in Port Elgin." Councillor Joanne Trenholm agreed and added that Gillis has always opened his doors and supported the town's fundraisers and benefits.

In other business, Councillor Joanne Trenholm introduced the subject of rebuilding the cribwork along the embankment of the Gaspereau River that runs through Port Elgin. A private landowner, Johnny Oulton, had requested information about applying for permits for the cribwork. He has asked Councillor Trenholm whether the town could apply for one large "umbrella" permit that would include the private landowners. It was argued that private landowners might be encouraged to get the work done on their own section of embankment if the cost and work of applying for a permit had already been done by the town. There was some concern from Mayor Judy Scott that the town would be held responsible for the quality of the cribwork. Deputy Mayor Val MacDermid added that certain standards of construction would have to be enforced by the Department of Environment.

Councillor Tanya Trenholm reported that she has begun work on the creation of a parade to celebrate the annual Lupin Craft and Quilt Fair held in July. She is hoping to get many businesses involved in creating floats for the parade.

The infrastructure is in place for the health clinic to move into Port Elgin Regional School. Mayor Scott said the health and education departments are working together and are at the table for all the meetings. A tentative date has been set for an opening this autumn.

Port Elgin Public Library reported that the summer programs are going to be offered again this year with a Reading Program theme based on 'Art' and 'LitKids', a literacy tutoring service. There will be two job openings for students.

The Cadet's Annual Ceremonial Review and parade will be held May 2 at the Port Elgin Regional School beginning at 2 p.m. Twelve cadets are going to camp this year at Camp Argonaut in Gagetown.

Linda Lukey, a local business woman, brought in some copies of artwork by local artist Bob Morouney. She would like to find the originals and have the art reproduced on billboards within the town's limits. Lukey was also collecting letters from the councillors to support an initiative to have Acadian Bus Lines make a regular stop at the Needs store in the centre of Port Elgin.

An Energy Management Control System has been set up in Port Elgin that will create a central control system for the thermostats in the library, town offices and fire department. It was agreed at this meeting to include the town garage in the heat management system.

There was also discussion about using the town's Gas Tax Rebate to pay for roof work.