Tag Archives: community

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Closing out 2016 and looking forward to 2017

There were many challenges/opportunities and lots of changes at Town Hall in 2016.  Here are just a few of them.

The disappointment in February when we learned that we had been refused the Ontario Community Infrastructure 2 Grant (OCIF) to finish the work on the new waste water plant was deeply felt by us all.  After taking a few deep breaths and writing letters expressing our concerns to the Premier and other Ministers, we took stock of our application and used this as an opportunity to prepare a stronger one for 2017.  We submitted the OCIF 3 grant application in November and hope to hear a positive response in late January/early February.

Our first Engineer, Mr Leslie Whiteman, decided to leave our team for a new opportunity.   We miss seeing him, his wife and beautiful children in the Village.  This created the opportunity for the Village to begin its relationship with Mr Max Christie, who has been our Manager of Infrastructure since May.  Max brings with him a wealth of water/waste water experience and a common sense approach to infrastructure related issues.

In November, we faced a challenge regarding incidents that occurred before this Council was elected.   On November 30th, I attended court when the matters in relation to charges laid against the Village in 2014 by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change were dealt with – a plea of guilty on one charge, all other charges withdrawn and a $10,000 fine.  Council used this as an opportunity to contract our water/waste water operations with Ontario Clean Water Agency.  With the court case just behind us and with a full understanding of the amount of regulatory compliance required for both the water and waste water systems, Council made this decision. The short term contract duration of six months will permit Council to undertake a thorough review of service delivery options before embarking on a long term operations commitment.  We wish Mr. David Wallond, who worked for the Village as the water/waste water operator since January 2014, the best in the future.

And finally, our Clerk, Mr Scott Bryce, has retired!  His last day was December 23, although you will see him in Town Hall over the next several weeks helping us out on a couple of matters.   Thank you Scott.  The best in retirement to you and Linda.

One of those matters that Scott will be helping us with will be to provide orientation and transition to our new CAO/Clerk.  Council is pleased to welcome Mr Paul Snider.  He brings with him years of municipal experience, currently working in Loyalist Township as their Clerk.  We are extremely proud that Paul has decided to join the Westport Team. Welcome home.  Paul and his wife, Heather, will be attending the Levee on New Year’s day.  Drop by and say hello.

So, that is a wrap for 2016. We know that there will be new challenges in 2017, however be assured that Council will continue to make decisions in the best interests of you and the Village.

On behalf of myself, Councillors Brady, Huth, Parliament and Schwinghamer and the staff from the Village, we wish you and your families a Happy New Year and a safe and prosperous 2017!

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Level 1 Burn Ban has been put in place in the Village of Westport

 

With the dry, hot weather expected to continue for the next several weeks, a Level 1 Burn Ban has been put into place in Westport.

Level 1 means:

  1. No Burn Permits may be activated and Open Air Burning or use of Burn Barrels at any time is prohibited.
  2. Campfires and cooking fires are restricted in use.  They must be .6m x.6m x .6m (2’ x2’ x 2’) and built according to the by-law, with proper clearances and can only be used between the hours of 8pm. To 11pm.  They must be fully extinguished after use, allowing a fire to smoulder out is not acceptable.

Let’s work together to ensure there are no open air burnings or anyone using a burn barrel.  People with a campfire or cooking fire needs to pay special attention to the size of the fire and ensure that it is fully extinguished by 11:00 p.m.

Stay safe everyone.

 

 

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Sarah BONNER on the Podium in the Alps!!

Congratulations to Sarah, who just finished first in her age group after competing in a triathlon in the Alps.  And she placed 125th out of 1500 other athletes.  Her time was 07:45:04.28 .  Sarah – Your hometown is so proud of you!

If anyone wants to read “the rest of the story” about this unique race in France, I have included a summary below.

It is unique because the swimming event takes place in the crystal waters of the Lac du Verney, accessible to swimmers only during the Triathlon. Exceptionally, thanks to the authorisation of EDF, a partner in the competition, competitors will have the privilege of swimming in clear waters, at an altitude of 700 m, in a setting of greenery provided by the luxuriantly wooded peaks that surround this body of water. Sheer delight, which will soon make you forget the rather chilly temperature of the water, at some 15-16°C at the height of summer.

It is unique because the course of the bike race is quite simply legendary, with 3 mountain passes on the programme – the Alpe du Grand Serre (1375 m) and the Col d’Ornon (1371 m) – as well as the climb of the 21 switching bends of the climb to Alpe d’Huez, which has earned its well-deserved fame in the Tour de France, which includes it almost every year.

The magic of doing the same ride as the participants of the Tour de France never fails to impress both champions and amateurs alike.
The landscapes on this part of the Ecrins Mountains are simply fabulous. If you’re lucky, you might even see some chamois on the wild hillsides of the passes!

Patience and courage are the mottos for this major altitude change course, which is unique, finally, because once you’ve set down your bike, the run course event takes place within the majestic setting of the resort of Alpe d’Huez. The course is a mixture of asphalted roads and mountain paths, and consists of three 7.3 km loops. 

One last altitude effort that confirms that the Alpe d’Huez Triathlon is indeed a summit of the international world of triathlon.

125 
 
 CAN.png BONNER Sarah 
07:45:04.28 
FS2 / 1 
 00:38:24.92  172  05:21:41.92  222  01:41:40.74  68  01:12:22.51 
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Heritage Days – congratulations on a successful event.

Thank you to the volunteers from North Crosby, Newboro and Westport who organized and participated in a fabulous day, reminding us of our roots.  There were many  informative displays – some were interactive, great food, wonderful music and rich story telling.  Miss Fanny Murphy kept us in stitches as she talked about growing up in North Crosby.   Special thanks to Westport Councillor Jacky Brady, who in addition to many other festival committee duties, kept the event alive on social media.

Miss F Murphy
Miss Franny Murphy talking about growing up in North Crosby. What a sense of humour!