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20 . WATERLL” CHMNICLE . Wednesday, March s, 2008 taaapip.l,. Al uburn Hearing Centre )j AUDIOLOGY a. HEARING AID SERVICES 510 mm Ave E., Unit 905, Waterloo (51 9) 386-2416 www.aubumheartrttr.eoen Ityou fo6ttoexykingotpetittanitttrysptxok makes them easier to undetstdnd, you're not just losing your heating. you're starting to lose your social life Recognize these signs: Do you ask people to repeat themselves? Do you think We are mumbling? m you have difficulty understanding words? it you answeied yes to any of these, then call today. Contact KWs Doctor at Audiology for your hearing assessmem and we'll have you talking in circles again! ARE YOU BECOMING A LIP READER? Irma-II: JNWHL new“ [FEED cijc/iyi,jii) @[LEABANGE >)) ayor Brenda Halloran's recent MState of the City address pro- vided an interesting analysis of council's priorities and objectives for the upcoming year. Considerable progress is occurring on the environmental sustainability portfolio, including the drafting of a green procurement policy for city pur- chases, implementation of the Envi- ronmental lands Acquisitions Strategy, and expanded recycling initiatives. pound] recently approved an energy management plan for reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent within two years after commencement. These tar- gets are significant and provide com- munity leadership. Since the speech last Thursday, escalating media attention has been focused on the current condition of the arts and cultural sectors in the City of Waterloo and ultimately across all of Waterloo region. Mayor Halloran open- ly noted that without help, this impor- tant component of the city will deterio- rate. The Waterloo Region's Vital Signs Report issued last October by the Com- munity Foundations of Kitchener /Waterloo and Cambridge & North Dumfries noted that between 2003 and 2006 employment in culture occupa- tions dropped from 1.5 per cent to less than one per cent, or a decrease from 3,500 individuals in the industry to Our participation ranked signiti- cantly lower than Ottawa (2.6 per cent) and Toronto (three per cent). Cultural industries need a boost Mayor Halloran also emphasized that many local museums and galleries are under funded and lacking in sup- port, a predicament that is not unique to our community. According to the Canadian Muse- ums Association, funding for their members has been cut try as much as 50 per cent and vital collections are being sold to generate the necessary "Mayor Halloran openly noted that without help, this important component of the city will deteriorate. " revenue for operating The Ontario Museum Association has been actively lobbying for increased capital funding to assist organizations on meeting standards established by the provincial Ministry of Culture. The parochial challenges for the arts sector are complemented by national economic trends such as a volatile Canadian dollar and declining levels of American tourists In response to these on-going issues, Waterloo Region business and arts groups have commenced a series of initiatives for revitalizing local cal, tural industries. In June of last year, the Prosperity Council of Waterloo region staged a half day event at the Waterloo Regional Children's Museum and King Street . Theatre to commence a strategic plan- ning process to capitalize on many emerging opportunities. Local business leaders were encour- aged to recognize and support various cultural events. festivals and attrac- tions occurring during the upcoming summer months. A committee of government, arts and business representatives is cur- rently organizing a full day arts forum for the autumn of 2008. This event will further advance the development of a regional cultural agenda for optimizing the quality of life throughout our com- munity. Recently, local business, cultural and community organizations collabo- rated to support a proposal by CBC/ Radio-Canada for new stations in Continued on page 21