year in review – part 3 – March

Women’s shelter reportedly coming to North Durham NORTH DURHAM: The Cedar Haven Women’s Centre will be the first women’s shelter in North Durham. The centre will be located in Cannington at The Nourish and Develop Foundation (TNDF) building. The idea for Cedar Haven started in late 2018, but research and development didn’t start until early 2019. The research and development stage involved visiting and assessing other shelters to get an idea of what the North Durham community needs and what’s needed to be implemented within their own. When Cedar Haven is up and running, they will provide emergency shelter and a variety of other serves for women in crisis.

Brock defends against appeal BROCK: At a Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT), the Township of Brock will be defending their decision, of not allowing the Region of Durham to begin work on a supportive housing complex in Beaverton at this time. At a special council meeting, on Thursday, March 4th, councillors passed a motion to direct the township’s solicitor, township staff and consultants to attend the tribunal “in opposition to the Region of Durham’s appeal of its site plan application.”

Brock changes course on vacancy BROCK: Brock Township council has decided to switch to a different method to fill their mayoral vacancy. At a special council meeting, on Monday, March 8th, councillors voted to rescind a previously passed motion to hold a by-election, and decided to instead fill the vacancy through appointment.

Brock Mayor seat filled BROCK: A familiar face has returned to the mayor’s chair in Brock Township. On Monday, March 15th, Brock council unanimously voted to appoint John Grant as the municipality’s next mayor, filling a seat which had been left vacant, following the death of Debbie Bath-Hadden.

Vaccine clinics opening delayed NORTH DURHAM: The opening of COVID-19 vaccination clinic sites in North Durham has been delayed, due to vaccine shortages. “Although additional clinics were scheduled to open in other area municipalities [this week], the Health Department received confirmation from the province for vaccine supply up to March 28th, which indicates there is insufficient vaccine supply to open other clinics as planned. Therefore, the opening of the Ajax Audley Centre clinic site, as well as the North Durham clinics sites in Scugog, Uxbridge and Brock, will be delayed,” read a press release from the Region of Durham, sent out on Monday, March 15th.

Old Gaol museum seeks funds KAWARTHA LAKES: Lindsay’s Olde Gaol museum is desperately seeking funding assistance from the City of Kawartha Lakes. At a Committee of the Whole meeting, on Tuesday, March 9th, Jane Gregory-Gill from the Victoria County Historical Society made a funding request to Kawartha Lakes councillors, to help “enable a level of stability in the operations of the Olde Gaol Museum.” This funding would be used to hire two staff members for the local museum.

Sign language in high schools DURHAM/KAWARTHA: The Ontario government is adding American Sign Language (ASL) to the list of second-language courses offered to high school students. The announcement was made by Ontario education minister Stephen Lecce, on Thursday, March 11th.

Vaccine clinic dates released KAWARTHA LAKES/NORTH DURHAM: More information has been released about local COVID-19 vaccination clinics’ plans. The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR) recently provided dates for when their mass vaccination clinics will begin operating. The clinic at the Lindsay Exhibition started vaccinating residents 80 years of age and older, on Thursday, March 18th. The Fenelon Falls Community Centre clinic is expected to open the week of April 5th. Meanwhile, the Durham Region Health Department has released the schedule for the North Durham vaccine sites. The Uxbridge Arena clinic will open on March 29th. The Scugog Arena clinic will then open on March 31st. The Rick MacLeish Memorial Community Centre in Brock Township will be opening on April 3rd.

Bobcaygeon a Hockeyville finalist KAWARTHA LAKES: Bobcaygeon is one of four community finalists competing to be named Kraft Hockeyville 2021. The finalists in this competition were announced on Saturday, March 20th. Kraft Hockeyville is a partnership between Kraft Heinz, the National Hockey League (NHL), and the National Hockey League Players’ Association, which annually supports local arenas with funding. The other finalists are Lumsden, Sask-atchewan, Saint Adolphe, Manitoba and Elsipogtog First Nation, New Brunswick.

Brock CAO leaves township BROCK: The Township of Brock has multiple staff positions to fill. The Township’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is the latest to leave. On Monday, March 22nd, Township clerk Becky Jamieson confirmed to The Standard CAO Dean Hustwick had left the township sometime during the week of March 15th. During the evening of March 22nd, following a closed session meeting, councillors voted to name former Uxbridge CAO Ingrid Svelnis, the township’s interim CAO, while searching for their next full-time replacement. Mr. Hustwick had started working for the township in early November. He was hired to replace the previous CAO Robert Lamb, who left after serving six months in the role. Previously, Ms. Jamieson and treasurer Laura Barta left to join the Township of Scugog.

2020 Sunshine List released NORTH DURHAM/KAWARTHA LAKES: Multiple local names have made it onto Ontario’s 2020 public sector salary disclosure list, also known as the Sunshine List. 14 Scugog township employees made this year’s list. Nine members of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN) also made this year’s list.Six Uxbridge township employees were on the 2020 disclosure list. Kawartha Lakes had several employees on the list.

#yearinreview