Category Archives: Uncategorized

Uncategorized

Article in Kingston Whig – Westport snubbed once again (OCIF grant)

I have attached the link to today’s page 3 article in the Kingston Whig.  You will be aware of much of the information already.  I note that while we are still waiting for Minister Leal’s office (Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs) to return our call in our quest for a meeting, a “spokesperson” from his office took the time and answered questions from the media in an email last night.

Specifically, the article states:

In an email Wednesday evening, a spokesperson for Leal said specific details about the village’s application are confidential.

 “This year’s OCIF application-based intake was highly competitive. We recognize that there may be some disappointment in communities who were unsuccessful in their applications. The decisions to proceed with the successful applications were based on a robust, evidence-based process that relied on experts across government to assess the merits of each project,” the email continues.
 
The ministry spokesperson added Westport’s separate, formula-based OSIF allocations amount to $50,000 a year for 2017, 2018 and 2019.
To clarify for the spokesperson … We are not disappointed – we are shocked and feel abandoned.  Our application was just that … evidence-based and supported with documentation by experts…
CAO Snider and I continue to push Queens Park and challenge the Ministers to hear our appeal.  They have been invited to Westport in the past, and I restate that invitation.  Perhaps being up close and personal to our lagoons will help them understand that our small rural municipality is not looking for a hand out, but the financial assistance that the provincial government has the ability and mandate to provide.
Here is the complete article
Uncategorized

Premier Wynne’s contact information

Since last Wednesday, many have inquired about who they should send their letters to complaining about Westport’s unsuccessful OCIF 3 grant application – money needed to help pay for the new waste water treatment plant.

My suggestion is to send your letters right to the Premier.  She is on Facebook, Twitter and I am attaching the link for you to send her an email.   https://correspondence.premier.gov.on.ca/en/feedback/default.aspx

If you are not sure what to say, you could consider including some of these points.

Kathleen Wynne, Premier 

Legislative Building 

Queen’s Park 

Toronto ON M7A 1A1

Westport is a Village in eastern Ontario with a population of 600 people.  It is the smallest municipality in Ontario with both water and waste water systems.   The waste water system is  wholly inadequate to service the needs of the community due to climate change and aging infrastructure.  Without being able to process effluent, thousands of litres has been hauled to a neighbouring community by truck over the past couple of years to a total cost of $800,000.  The situation poses an environmental and public safety threat to the Village and surrounding community.

The Village needs the help of the provincial government to complete a project of this magnitude.  To think that the Village’s small tax base can complete it on its own is unreasonable. Westport was turned down for an OCIF 2 grant and now for OCIF 3 as well.  It is difficult to understand how this critical work to bring the Village into compliance with the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change is not a priority with your government.  

  Premier, what are you and your government going to do to help the Village of Westport?

Uncategorized

Letter from Ontario Government advising that Westport turned down for OCIF waste water treatment grant

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

4th Floor

1 Stone Road West Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2 Tel:   1-877-424-1300

Fax:   519 826-3398

Ministère de l’Agriculture, de l’Alimentation et

des Affaires rurales

4e étage

1 Stone Road West Guelph (Ontario) N1G 4Y2 Tél. : 1-877-424-1300

Téléc. :   519  826-3398

Rural Programs Branch

February 21, 2017 Our File: OCIF AC3-3088

Scott Bryce, Clerk-Treasurer Village of Westport

PO Box 68, 30 Bedford Street Westport, Ontario K0G 1X0 sbryce@villageofwestport.ca

Dear Scott Bryce:

Re: Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) Top-Up Application Component – 2016 Intake

Thank you for your application under the 2016 OCIF Top-up Application Component.

Ontario is committed to helping small, rural and northern communities address critical infrastructure challenges. This commitment includes increasing the formula-based funding under OCIF to $200 million per year by 2019 and increasing future top-up application funding to annual intakes of approximately $100 million, starting this year.

Following a detailed review of the application and supporting materials you submitted, we are writing to inform you that the Westport Wastewater Treatment System – Effluent Disposal Upgrade project has not been selected for funding.

Applications were reviewed and assessed based on the criteria outlined in the program guidelines. The ministry received hundreds of applications, and unfortunately demand for the program exceeds the funding available at this time.

Staff are available to provide additional details on your project’s assessment. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Project Analyst, Stephen Hamblin, via email Stephen.Hamblin@ontario.ca or by calling (519) 826-3471 or 1-877-424-1300.

The 2017 OCIF Top-up Application Component intake will launch this spring. We invite you to submit a new application at this time.

Thank you for your interest in the OCIF Top-up Application Component. Sincerely,

Joel Locklin

Manager, Infrastructure Renewal Programs

Uncategorized

Disappointing News – Westport’s request for waste water replacement grant turned down.

To say that this decision is unfortunate, is an understatement.  Staff are following up with the contact person mentioned in the letter below for the reasons why our application was not supported by the Ontario Liberal government.

CAO Paul Snider is contacting the offices of Minister J Leal and Minister B Mauro, the two Ministries involved in the decision making, and is requesting meetings between Mayor Jones and the Ministers.

Yes, this is a set back, however we will continue to work to resolve the challenges of our current waste water treatment system and together we will come through 2017 with a dependable solution.

I thought it would be interesting to everyone to read the letter, so please see it below.

If you have any questions, pls call the councillor of your choice or me – 9195OCIF AC3-3088 Ltr.pdf

Uncategorized

UPDATE – HAPPY 150TH BIRTHDAY CANADA

Sesquicentennial Events in Westport

Coming in March:   Celebrating our Irish Roots

Friday, March 3, 7:00 p.m.      CBC Film, the Hannah Project.  Producer/Director Brian McKenna will be present and will introduce the film and share his experiences while making this film.                                             contact – jbrady@villageofwestport.ca 

Royal Canadian Legion   –  Free Will Offering

Saturday, March 4,  1:00 – 5:00 p.m.     Westport Arts Council presents its annual Celeidh (aka East Coast Kitchen Party!)     Featuring live foot-stomping sing-along music from the KINGSTON CEILI  BAND.  Mummers and Ugly Sticks Welcome!       

Cove Country Inn  –  $10.00.  Reservations are recommended.  Kids under 12 free

 

Friday, March 17 – ST PATRICK’S DAY!!

This special day is full of events in Westport.                                                                                               11:30 – special Mass at St. Edward’s Catholic Church with Irish music before and after mass                                                                                                                                                                              12:30 -4:30 Irish Kitchen Party at Lions Club Beach House                                                                       4:30 – form up at the Brewer’s Retail for our very own St Patrick’s Parade.  Wear your GREEN!!!!