Update from Ward 6

Apr 10, 20242 min read

RON ASHMORE, Ward 6 Councillor, Kawartha Lakes

The City of Kawartha Lakes has approved its 2024-2027 Strategic Plan. We are working for our constituents by providing a vibrant and growing economy as well as an accountable Municipal government. This will also include continual work on our, close to, 20 Master Plans and Strategies to support the Strategic Plan. A key part of this Plan will be ongoing Performance Measurement and reporting to Council.

Our five Year Roads Plan has also been approved by Council. The municipality conducts a Roads Needs Study every five years, to help assess repairs required for our 2,677 kms of road network. The study groups roads into three priorities: Now, 1 to 5 years, and 6 to 10 years. The study is also responsible for providing improvement costs which are incorporated into the operating and capital budgets each year. The goal of the study is to monitor and manage our road networks and provide information for Council. This Plan is a working document which can be amended, based on the yearly capital budget process.

The city recently held a public meeting concerning the Omemee Splash Pad proposal. This will come back to council, on April 30th, to get full Council support to move it forward. The Kawartha Foundation has been set up to assist with donations and I am actively working with community groups and donors to make this happen.

I will appear before the Standing Committee, at Queens Park, on April 8th, to get more information on the proposed $100 million Enbridge Natural Gas project, slated to run from Omemee to Bobcaygeon. Presently, the project is on hold, due to legal appeals by other parties. I am working to allow residents and businesses the option for natural gas, as our communities and businesses grow.

There will be a volunteer recruitment night held at the Bobcaygeon Curling Club, on April 24th, from 7 to 9 p.m., as we are reaching out for more volunteers for the upcoming International Plowing Match and Rural Expo in Lindsay, running from October 1st to 5th, 2024.