Continued from “Year in Review – Part 5 – May” (https://thestandardnewspaper.ca/year-in-review-part-5-may/)
Scugog makes CT scanner pledge SCUGOG: The Township of Scugog is committing $200,000 over four years to the Port Perry Hospital Foundation’s Here for You campaign. The donation announcement was made on Monday, June 7th. The campaign aims to raise $4 million to bring a CT scanner and other equipment to the Port Perry Hospital.
No in person classes until Autumn DURHAM/KAWARTHA: Ontario provincial government officials announced, at a press conference on Wednesday, June 2nd, students will not be going back to in-person school classes until September. Premier Doug Ford explained, a return to school “before more students and teachers are vaccinated” could lead to “thousands of new [COVID-19] cases.”
Parking strategy update KAWARTHA LAKES: Members of Kawartha Lakes council heard an update, regarding the Downtown Parking Strategy for Lindsay, Fenelon Falls and Bobcaygeon, at a meeting on Tuesday, June 1st. Peter Richards, of the IBI Group, a consultant group working on the parking strategy. made the updated presentation. The strategy takes into account the city’s parking needs from now up to the year 2041. However, Mr. Richards explained this plan could be changed as situations change in the muni-cipality.
New charter in Brock BROCK: Brock Township council is looking to improve communications between residents and members of council. At a meeting on Monday, May 31st, councillors passed a motion to request township staff to “begin drafting a comprehensive extension to the current Council Code of Conduct, or a separate set of policies, which will confirm the obligations to residents and taxpayers, including but not limited to a Council-Resident Charter.”
Port Perry celebrates 150th SCUGOG: The plans to celebrate this sesquicentennial birthday throughout the year will look different from past celebrations. Although planned through a Covid – 19 lens, the events are expected to showcase our town, reflecting our history and appreciating all the unique things Port Perry has to offer.
Bobcaygeon natural gas funding KAWARTHA LAKES: Over 3,900 homes and businesses in Bobcaygeon will soon be able to connect to natural gas services. At a virtual announcement on Thursday, June 10th, provincial officials announced, a natural gas expansion project in Bobcaygeon had been approved for funding, from the second phase of the Province’s Natural Gas Expansion Program.
TLDSB keeps graduations virtual KAWARTHA LAKES: The Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) has opted not to hold outdoor graduation ceremonies this year, despite Premier Doug Ford encouraging boards to do so. “After careful consideration and consultation with local public health, Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) has determined graduations will remain virtual for the 2020-2021 school year. The Ontario government announced, on June 1st, schools would remain closed for the rest of this school year, but would allow school boards to invite graduating elementary and secondary students to return to school for a short, outdoor celebration, where physical distancing is possible. TLDSB schools have been working hard over the past several weeks to organize virtual graduation ceremonies, to celebrate and honour graduates in a way [which] maintains current health and safety protocols and restrictions. While the Ministry of Education advised that school boards could consider gathering outside in class cohort groups, the issue of time for planning and equity of opportunity continues to be problematic,” read a statement from the local school board.
Angus Ross resigns from council SCUGOG: Scugog will be searching for a new Scugog Island representative on council, as Ward 3 Councillor Angus Ross is resigning, effective at the end of this month. Included in council’s meeting agenda on Monday, June 21st, was Councillor Ross’ resignation letter. The letter explained he and his family “are relocating out of Scugog Township.”
Port Perry Fair cancelled SCUGOG: The 2021 edition of the Port Perry Fair has been cancelled, due to COVID-19 concerns. The decision was announced by the Port Perry Agricultural Society, in an online letter from President Barbie Bisschop, on Tuesday, June 15th.
Ontario moves to second phase DURHAM/KAWARTHA LAKES: The province of Ontario is moving into the second step of the provincial government’s reopening plan, sooner than originally scheduled. On Thursday, June 24th, the government announced the province would move into Step Two of the Roadmap to Reopening on Wednesday, June 30th.
Scugog chooses voting method SCUGOG: The Township of Scugog has decided to take a modern approach to the 2022 municipal election. At a meeting on Monday, June 21st, councillors voted to choose a “hybrid solution, including internet voting and paper ballots, using vote tabulation equipment” as the voting method for the next municipal election.
Brock Indigenous flagpole BROCK: The Township of Brock is looking to honour the Indigenous Peoples’ lives which were lost in residential schools in Canada.At a meeting on Monday, June 28th, Ward 3 Councillor Walter Schummer made a motion to direct township staff to, “install a second flag pole at the Municipal Administration Building so that an Indigenous flag may be flown at half-mast in recognition of the lives lost at residential schools across Canada.”
Province announces municipal modernization funding KAWARTHA LAKES/BROCK: The Ontario Provincial Government is supporting a few service delivery projects in Kawartha Lakes and Brock Township. On Wednesday, June 30th, MPP Laurie Scott announced $458,750 in funding towards four projects in Brock Township, City of Kawartha Lakes and the Township of Cavan Monaghan. The funding is coming from the Province’s Municipal Modernization Program.
Scugog chooses appointment process to fill Ward 3 seat SCUGOG: The Township of Scugog has decided to go with an application process to decide who the next Scugog Island representative on Council will be. On Wednesday, June 30th, Scugog councillors voted to declare the Ward 3 council seat vacant and fill the vacancy through appointment with an “Open Call for Qualified Applicants” format.