“If you have them coming down from other directions … from Haliburton or further afield, they get down to Northline Road and they may need gas or other supplies.” Without amending the proposed bylaw, they may not be able to get to them, he said. “By passing this, it allows them to come into Fenelon Falls or some of the other smaller hamlets to get supplies.” He added that there is no place along to trail to get fuel between Fenelon Falls and Haliburton County.
Read MoreDuring the March 26 Council meeting, Deputy Mayor Elmslie brought forward a resolution that staff work with the Cultural Centre Committee to establish a working group to prepare an RFP for a cultural centre using a qualified consultant. The resolution was passed and Councillor Seymour-Fagan and Councillor Richardson were added to the Committee.
Read More"I’m very excited to have discussions with our residents about topics important to them,” said Doug Elmslie, Deputy Mayor. “There’s no shortage of smart ideas out there. These roundtables are an opportunity to gather intelligence from the community while sharing information about how we deliver municipal services. We want to hear opinions, concerns and feedback on how we’re doing and how together we can improve.”
Read MoreThere will be a public consultation sessions on a downtown parking strategy March 5 from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Lindsay Rec Complex (more details in this Advocate article) and on the City’s 10-year housing and homelessness plan on March 13 at the Ops Community Centre (details here). Two examples of opportunities to keep informed and weigh in on issues. A newly-created, rotating position in council is deputy mayor and one of the responsibilities of the City’s first deputy mayor, Councillor Doug Elmslie, is to initiate “community conversations.” Details are yet to come, but the target is fall 2019 for the first of these.
Read MoreEven with the addition of 13 new staff, the tax rate came in much lower than the anticipated 4% at the start of the process. The final increase is pegged at 2.85% CAO Ron Taylor said that the positions are needed due to growth and efficiencies. The Mayor also commented that we need to improve the product we supply. Highlights of the budget deliberations included motions by Councillor Dunn to put off three positions to 2020. A good discussion ensued on the need for a GIS specialist, a records management clerk and a coach/bus technician. The position of a bus and coach technician with allow savings in outsourcing services.
Read MoreKLSC is celebrating their 40th year Anniversary and donated $3000 in total for the Breakfast Club Programs of 3 Elementary Schools, Fenelon, Cameron & Coboconk. Councillors Doug Elmslie and Emmett Yeo were on hand and presented KLSC with a Recognition Award from the Fenelon Winter Festival for their Volunteer Support for the last 3 years.
Read MoreAt Wednesday’s meeting, Mayor Andy Letham wondered if the rebranding efforts might be coming too soon.
“My concern is the timing of it,” he said. The idea behind the project is to sell to the public what the city has to offer. But he said improvements are still being made to “the product.”
Read More"I’m reading Peter Robinson’s latest offering, Careless Love, a great read for a cold night, with a glass of wine and a cozy room. It is the latest Inspector Alan Banks mystery with a familiar cast and a page-turning plot. Robinson, a Canadian, writes about a rural English Police Force, and besides the mayhem, paints vivid word pictures of the people, towns, and scenery. I really like this book.”
Read MoreKawartha Lakes Coun. Doug Elmslie says the nation is stuck with its legalized cannabis legislation, so it may as well make the most of it. Elmslie, who says he didn’t support the federal decision, was the first Kawartha Lakes councillor to move a motion asking council to back the idea of “opting in” — a move that clears the way to allow the retail stores in the municipality.
Read MoreElmslie said while he backed the Fenelon Falls pilot project, “I never really liked what we did with this whole thing, charging people for services they don’t get.” He said he realizes those affected will ultimately benefit from the municipal services, the requirements the city has implemented may not have been the best route to take.
Read MoreYesterday I was honoured to be elected by my peers as Deputy Mayor of the City of Kawartha Lakes for a 1 year term. Kawartha 411 was in attendance at the swearing in ceremony and (cont.)
Read MoreI was honoured to speak with Kawartha 411 about some of the activities and festivities to be enjoyed at tomorrow’s Santa Day event in Fenelon Falls, Ontario. You can watch the video on Facebook and I appear around the 2 minute, 35 second mark.
Read MoreI just wanted to share a heartfelt thank you to all of the residents, and my supporters, in Ward 3. I also want to thank my opponents, who ran a good clean campaign.
Read MoreIf you haven’t yet voted, I just wanted to share a helpful tip with you: Make sure you have your voter sheet close by, and either highlight or underline the last 8 characters of your Voter ID.
Read MoreOn Saturday, September 29th, I was honoured to MC the official unveiling of the recently restore Fenelon Falls Theatre Marquee. Click through to watch my interview with Kawartha 411, as well as view some of my favourite shots of the evening.
Read MoreLast night I had the honour to stand in for Mayor Andy Letham at the Employee Recognition and Retirement dinner. Here are some pictures from the evening, generously provided by Pam Kulas.
Read MoreI invite you to join me at the OFFICIAL unveiling of the newly restored Fenelon Theatre Marquee on Saturday, September 29th, from 7:30 pm until 10 pm. I will be MC’ing the ceremony.
Mark your attendance on the official Facebook Event.
Read MoreIn terms of my arts involvement, I have been a supporter of The Lindsay Art Gallery, on many issues that have come to council. In addition I work with the group Fenelon Live, whose mandate is to bring Live Performances to our area, an example of a recent success was Simcoe Day and the 1812/14 re-enactment. Also, I am working with a group who wants to bring live outdoor theater performances to the area, and I also work with a group that wants Public Art displays on the street, an example are the hangings on the Fenelon Bridge, and finally, I have long supported the Fenelon Art Gallery and their very important festival held on Labour Day weekend.
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