Editorial
The hall is safe, so it's time to move on

Although we addressed this issue in this very spot a couple of weeks ago, the community could perhaps do with a reminder.

There are no plans to radically change the use of Nobleton Community Hall, and there never have been plans, at least not in the minds of the people responsible for such decisions; namely Township councillors.

Some ideas have come up in discussions, but as is the case in all things concerning municipal government, ideas are just ideas until some form of direction or action is called for by the people at the top, and that hasn't happened. Not only has there not been a call for such action, it has never been formally recommended.

Mayor Margaret Black made that as clear as words could make at last Wednesday's annual general meeting of the hall board.

She went on to assert there will be no changes to the building's use as long as she's mayor, at least not without considerable discussion and input from the public.

There were a couple of serious points raised at last week's meeting, over such issues as a lack of funding over the last couple of years to adequately maintain the building, and a feeling that came from board members that they thought their calls had been ignored.

Assuming such statements are true, then that situation is regrettable. But it is clear that the municipality is taking steps to try and fix the problems, both structural problems with the building and those generated by frustration over what has gone on in the past.

Township officials are wisely trying to get people to focus on the future, and Black's assurances about he future of the building, combined with council's recent unanimous decision to seek a heritage designation and Parks, Recreation and Culture Director Catherine Purcell's announcement that the latest draft of the 2007 Township budget includes allocations for needed work, clearly indicate good things are in the works for those who truly care about the building.

It is clear that this is a good time to focus on the future, because that's where the best part of the story is.