Tag Archives: community

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Update – Budget 2016

The Village of Westport Council had an initial review of the 2016 Budget on November 23 at a Special Committee of the Whole Meeting.  A Public Meeting to discuss the budget was also held on November 23rd.  No member of the public attended the public meeting, although there were several community members at the Committee of the Whole.

On Monday, December 14 at 2:00 p.m., Council will be reviewing the preliminary draft budget at a Special Committee of the Whole Meeting.  Another opportunity for public input will occur at a Public Meeting from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on December 14th.  Copies of the preliminary draft budget will be available by 2:00 p.m. December 11th at Town Hall or on-line.

Obviously, no decisions have been made on the 2016 budget.  The process of establishing a municipal budget is slow and methodical.  For you to have a full understanding of what is being discussed, you are invited to listen to all Council discussions and debates during the Special or Regular meetings.  Dates and times of meetings are on the Village web site.

 

 

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Christmas Cantata – Audience gave standing ovation

There are few things that bring people and communities together better than music and last night’s Christmas Cantata at Knox Presbyterian Church in Westport was a shining example.  A strong choir of 35 singers drawn from all over North Crosby, the St Edward’s Childrens Choir, a “soulful” quartet from Elgin and the magical sounds from the flute,  combined together to make a Christmas concert to remember.

Thank you to everyone for your efforts the past several months.  It was evident from the smiles on the faces of the audience and the standing ovation that you had spent your time well.

Special thanks to Choir Director Joanne Lambert and Pianist Ann Savage.  In a very short time you turned 35 individual singers into a well oiled machine.  Well done!

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Christmas Magic Begins in Westport

Tonight’s “Hop and Shop” was a wonderful event.  Despite the rain, the   Village was “hopping” as people were “shopping”.  Lots of stores stayed open and the business owners I spoke to said it was a positive event for them.   It takes lots of people to make something like this happen, but a huge shout out to Cynthia Pringle and Martha Kudrinko.  Great leadership, ladies.

The Judges from the Westport Arts Council were out tonight, spending time in front of 18 businesses that had entered the “Windows of Distinction” competition.  Yes, there is a winner – but you will have to wait until tomorrow when the announcement is made during the parade.

The excitement for tomorrow’s Santa Claus Parade, hosted by the Westport Lions Club, continues to build.  The weather looks sunny and it should be a perfect day to join in or watch the parade.   Many volunteers have spent time getting floats ready, practicing with their music and getting their costumes made.  Come and join in the fun.  It all begins at 2:00 p.m.

When the parade is over, the choirs from the Westport churches will be moving throughout the downtown singing Christmas Carols.  Please sing along.  The day’s Christmas fun finishes at 5:00 p.m. at the Museum, with the lighting of the Christmas Tree.  Town Hall Councillors will be serving hot apple cider across the street from the museum.

Let there be no doubt, the Christmas spirit is alive and well in our Village.

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Federal government releases its plan for the refugees

I have attached the announcement sent to me from AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) for your information

 

November 25, 2015

Federal Government Announces Plan to Resettle Syrian Refugees

Yesterday, the federal government released its plan to resettle 25,000 refugees from the Syrian conflict. The government will identify all 25,000 refugees who will come to Canada by December 31, 2015. The target is to have 10,000 refugees arrive by the end of 2015 with the remainder arriving by the end of February 2016. The government will invest up to $678 million over six years towards resettlement and integration support. The goal is to have relatively even distribution of refugees across Canada. While the destination communities are not yet confirmed, the Province is asking the public to identify available housing in Hamilton, Toronto, Kitchener-Waterloo, London, and Windsor.

For its part, the provincial government has established a Ministers’ Ad Hoc Committee on Refugees in order to coordinate support for the federal government’s plans for resettlement. The committee is co-chaired by the Honourable Michael Chan, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade, and the Honourable Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. The Province has indicated that it will provide $10.5 million over two years to promote refugee sponsorship and deliver immediate and future support for refugees.

AMO is supportive of the resettlement efforts and stands ready to assist with communicating the federal and provincial plans to our membership. Many municipal councils across the province are already in various states of planning for the reception of refugees. Municipal governments and District Social Service Administration Boards (DSSABs) can play a role to ensure that their services are accessible to refugees (i.e. childcare, housing, public health). Coordination and planning will be required with the other two orders of government in order to make this a successful resettlement effort. An assessment will also be needed to gauge the potential fiscal impact to municipal governments and DSSABs and the ensuing discussion with the provincial government on the assistance needed to meet these costs. More information is expected from the federal and provincial governments on the municipal role in the days ahead.

AMO will continue to play a leadership role as our members stand ready to assist refugees in any way they can. AMO will be working closely with municipal staff associations, including the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA) and the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA), on planning for the successful settlement of refugees.

AMO will monitor developments and provide further information to members when it becomes available.

Links: 

CIC Newsroom:
Canada Offers Leadership on the Syrian Refugee Crisis
#WelcomeRefugees to Canada

Ontario Newsroom:
Ontario Preparing to Welcome Syrian Refugees
Ontario Forms Ministers’ Ad Hoc Committee on Refugees
Syrian Refugees: How You Can Help