The Southwest Ontario Tourism Corp (SWOTC) is seeking volunteer leaders for its board of directors.

The organization serves the tourism sectors in the counties of Essex, Chatham-Kent, Lambton, Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford, Haldimand and Norfolk including London, Windsor and Pelee Island.

Operating asa non-profit organization, SWOTC collaboratively works with all tourism stakeholders to champion tourism as a vital economic driver.

The deadline for applications is Feb. 15.

For more information visit info@tourismwindsoressex.com.

GOODWILL RECYLCING

Congratulations to Chatham realtor Ivan Katzman for arranging the sale of a parcel of land on National Road to Goodwill Industries for their new recycling operation in Chatham.

The facility opened Friday.

It allows Goodwill to centralize its salvage processes, resulting in an expansion of its recycling opportunities and a reduction in the amount of waste intended for landfills.

The facility will offer Goodwill expanded storage space for its donation and retail operations.

The organization has hired three individuals to operate the facility. They will sort product and operate two clothing balers to bundle unsellable clothes for salvage vendors.

VACANT HOMES

Chatham-Kent is in a “crisis mode” with 25.4% of homes listed for sale being vacant, according to the Chatham-Kent Association of Realtors.

This is an 18% increase over the same period last year.

The association represents over 150 professionals throughout Chatham-Kent. As members of the community and in their role as realtors they are on front lines of communication with residents and newcomers.

Realtors generated more than $225 million in real estate transactions in 2012 through the multiple listing service.

“We continually promote our affordable and safe community but lately have found this task has become daunting due to the high cost of taxation here in Chatham-Kent,” said Steve Carroll, the association;s taxation committee chair.

He said it is not only apparent to newcomers but makes it difficult for existing commercial and residential owners to exist.

“While many feel that our affordability is a great product to promote, the issue of taxation is a huge deterrent,” he said. “We would like to meet with council and administration to work together on a long-term plan to find a resolution to this issue.”

VETS DONATION

A cheque for $6,500 will be presented Jan. 17 by the Chatham-Kent Veterinary Professional Corp. to the Kent branch of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The money was raised by the veterinarians during a recent dance and auction.

The Chatham-Kent Veterinary Professional Corp. is an independent group of hospitals in Chatham-Kent including the Chatham South Animal Hospital, the Wallaceburg Animal Hospital, the Blenheim Veterinary Clinic, the Southridge Veterinary Clinic and the Chatham-Kent Veterinary Hospital.

WINMAR AFTER HOURS

Winmar, located at 570 Grand Ave. E in Chatham, will host Wednesday’s business after hours event.

The two-hour-long program is sponsored by the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce and the cost is $5 at the door.

Alta Gas on Wellington Street in Chatham will host the Feb. 20 business after hours event.

The chamber’s 125th annual general meeting is scheduled for Feb. 27 at Smitty’s restaurant in Chatham.

The breakfast meeting begins at 8 a.m.

The 125th annual business excellence awards sponsored by the chamber will take place March 27 a Club Lentina’s in Chatham.

 

DRIVING STUDY

Cutting in and weaving, speeding and hostile displays are among the top online complaints posted by drivers, according to a new study by the Centre for Addiction and Mental healthy.

Driver aggression is a major safety concern and researchers estimate this behaviour is a factor in nearly half of all motor vehicle collisions. Identifying the underlying causes and strategies for preventing driver aggression continues to be a priority.

The most common complaints are cutting in and weaving (54%), speeding (29%) and hostile displays (25%).

Dr. Chrstine Wickens of the CAMH advises drivers to work hard at keeping cool behind the wheel.

“Remind yourself to take a deep breath, stay calm and do whatever it takes to bring your anger down,” she said.

Wickens also suggests that educating drivers during their training on the most common complaints might help them realize the impact of their actions and avoid these types of behaviours.

She said the training could also teach drivers to be aware of their own responses associated with behaviours they encounter on the road.

TOY SHOW JAN. 20

The 12th annual Chatham-Kent Toy Show and Sale will take place Jan. 20 at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre in Chatham.

The show runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and admission is $4 for adults, $2 for students and free for children 6 and under.

 

DICKENS FELLOWSHIP

The president of the Dickens Fellowship of North Carolina, the largest branch of the worldwide network of clubs, will travel to Chatham-Kent Feb. 2 .

Dr. Elliot Engel, whose mini-lecture series on Dickens ran on PBS television stations across the U.S., will speak at the annual gathering of the Chatham-Kent Dickens Fellowship.

Engel, who has taught at the University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University and Duke University, has written 10 books published in England, Japan and the U.S.

The Chatham-Kent event will take place at Club Lentina’s and will feature a classes Victorian-style dinner.

Dr. Raymond Bernreuter, chair of the Chatham-Kent Dickens Fellowship, said the hope is to make the local fellowship the Canadian centre for the celebration of Charles Dickens, his work and his times.

He said Dickens was one of the most prolific writers, publishers, social activists and dramatic readers to ever walk the planet.

“Many of his works, from A Christmas Carol to Oliver Twist to ATale of Two Cities have continued to be popular in print, film and stage productions,” he said.

But Bernreuter said few people know that Dickens was an outstanding entrepreneur, inventor of the paperback novel, the term “cliff hanger” and the use of re-cycling as a profit making venture.

Bob BoughnerÕs Business column appears Mondays in the Daily News. EmailyouÕre your business news at bob.boughner@sunmedia.ca.