Front Page Design Expo brings leaders together

By MARK PAVILONS Editor

April 19, 2006

With the flip of the proverbial switch, politicians and community leaders launched the first Caledon Housing Design Expo last Wednesday at the Caledon Community Complex. The day-long event brought together the converted, the environmentally aware, to share ideas about merging "green" with Helping to launch the Caledon Housing sustainable development. Design Expo last week were (l to r)
Sara Peckford, environmental progress officer for the Town; Jo Combe, marketing vice-president of Bullfrog Power; Mayor Marolyn Morrison; MP David Tilson, and Karen Hutchinson, executive director of Caledon Countryside Alliance.

Karen Hutchinson, executive director of the lead citizen's group, the Caledon Countryside Alliance, said the CCA needs to be involved in bringing partners together. She acknowledged the efforts of John Gilbert who spearheaded this expo.

Dufferin-Caledon MP David Tilson said he's proud as MP to boast about the leading edge environmental work that comes out of this area, and he lauded the efforts of the expo organizers. Mayor Marolyn Morrison said this is a wonderful initiative that fosters the exchange of new ideas and knowledge. The Town, she said, is constantly moving forward and its efforts have been bolstered by Sara Peckford, environmental progress officer. Also, the mayor sang the praises of the Town's commitment to buy green power, through a new agreement with Bullfrog Power Inc. "We're moving in the right direction," she said. The Town is happy to be a leader in the province in environmental issues.

Hutchinson, too, praised Peckford for being a unifying force in Caledon. Peckford said it took a year to create the Town's environmental action plan and the focus is currently on municipal operations. Council endorsed the plan in June of 2005. Also, a committee was formed in Caledon to study the feasibility of wind power. They've applied for federal funding and are currently gathering wind data. The Town has become a member of the Canada Green Building Council and participates with the GTA Clean Air Council. Peckford said the current agreement with Bullfrog is a one-year pilot, but hopes initiatives like this will go beyond 2007. Jo Combe, vice-president of marketing for Bullfrog, said their company is very excited about the Town's commitment. "Once again, the Town demonstrates its environmental leadership," she said. Bullfrog, she noted, is the first green electricity retailer and delivers through the existing grid. All the power comes from Ontario sources and Combe said the company hopes to attract more residential and corporate clients. The day's event was actually powered by Bullfrog.