The Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, provides that the Head of Council may declare an emergency in the municipality and to take such action and make such orders as he or she considers necessary to implement the emergency plan and to protect property and the health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the emergency area.
Whereas, as the Head of Council for the Village of Westport, I declared an emergency on 10APR21, 15:00 hrs
Effectively immediately, I order that:
a) Town Hall be closed to the public until January 4, 2022
b) Westport Communications Centre be closed to the public until January 4, 2022
c) Westport Public Library be closed to the public until January 4, 2022
and that all three closures be reassessed at that time.
Both the Library and Town Hall will offer curb side service. Please call ahead.
The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit has recorded a significant increase in COVID-19 positive cases in the region with over 100 new cases since December 1st, and 81 active cases reported Friday. They have also been notified that the new COVID-19 variant may be present in some of the cases and are waiting for whole genome sequencing to confirm it.
The province is reporting large increases in cases daily. 1600 new cases were reported yesterday. 1500 on Friday and 1350 Thursday. There have been outbreaks in neighbouring communities of Perth and Kingston. South Crosby Public School is closed due to outbreak.
It is important to follow public health precautions to protect ourselves, our family and friends, our community, and keep our schools and workplaces safe and open, and prevent further impact on our healthcare resources.
We all know how to keep the Village safe. Here is a reminder:
Keep to small social gatherings with vaccinated people. If there are unvaccinated people, then they should wear a mask and keep 2 m distance from others.
Wear a mask when in public places and keep a 2 m distance from others.
Stay home if sick (even with mild symptoms), and get a PCR test if COVID-19 symptoms develop.
If there is possible exposure to someone with COVID-19, isolate and get a PCR test.
Each municipality is required to have a Community Emergency Control Group (CECG). CAO Paul Snider, as the Community Emergency Management Coordinator (CEMC) chairs this committee. The CECG met regularly from April 2020 until October 28, 2021 and during that time there was a Municipal Emergency Order. The CECG met on Friday afternoon and recommended that the Municipal Emergency Order be put into effect immediately. This will position the municipality if any decisions need to be taken, particularly over the Christmas break. The emergency was declared, however no other actions were taken.
The Health Unit is hosting a vaccination clinic on Tuesday, January 11 at the Legion. For the information of those who got their 2nd shot at the community clinic on July 5, you will be eligible for your booster. You can also book vaccinations and boosters with Tracy Phillips at the pharmacy. Here is the link for the Health Unit.
“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. ” Albert Schweitzer
As we near the end of Year 2 of COVID-19, it has never been more important to provide support and love to our neighbours. The coronavirus pandemic is an epidemiological and psychological crisis. The enormity of living in isolation, changes in our daily lives, job loss, financial hardship, and grief over the loss of contact with loved ones has the potential to affect the mental health and well-being of many of us. Loneliness, anxiety, depression are some of the issues that our friends and neighbours are struggling with. Even in this time of physical distancing, it’s critical to seek social support and connection with others.
We can do something in Westport that will make a big difference in the lives of our residents, business owners and visitors. Again the year, from Dec 12 – Jan 2, we are encouraging everyone to light up the streets by adding Christmas lights to their homes and businesses. We can give the Gift of Light to our neighbours.
There is a supply of lights, spots and other decorations at Town Hall. If you would appreciate some support for additional lights, call Town Hall (613-273-2191) and speak to Mrs Patti Mueller who will help you.
Many thanks to Les, Bev and the gang at Home Hardware who helped stretch our dollars and to our generous anonymous sponsors.
Thank you everyone for your commitment to community solidarity as we continue to tightly hold the safety blanket around the Village of Westport.
Be the Spark! Give the Gift of Light this Christmas.
Join in and help develop the new Westport slogan! Your input is needed again this fall.
Municipal branding is more than just a website and a logo. A brand is an experience, an emotion and a memory. It communicates what makes Westport unique and appealing through a combination of visuals and words. A strong brand can help boost economic development, tourism and the sense of community that residents enjoy.
We began with community input by asking the public to describe, in three words or less, their Westport experience, an emotion or a memory. If they were to describe their hometown to someone who had never visited, what word(s) sprang to mind. Well done, Westport! You submitted over 250 suggestions.
From this list, members of Council and community representatives chose the top two. The community members are Ken Rose (this year’s Westport’s Senior of the Year), Joel Kimmel (artist and member of the Westport Parks & Recreation and Harbour Advisory Committee) Christine Janeway (author, artist and the best Museum Curator ever) and Mary Chaikowsky (artist and member of the Friends of the Library). You can watch how they arrived at their decisions by watching the November 18th Village You Tube channel.
The two words selected are: LAKESIDE with the most votes and HERITAGE followed closely behind.
This is now your opportunity to shape our Village’s slogan. When you think of Westport in conjunction with the word LAKESIDE what phrase comes to mind? Or, what phrase rolls around in your mind when you consider Westport and HERITAGE? And if your suggestion doesn’t have either thoughts of LAKESIDE or HERITAGE, no worries – send it along! All suggestions will be considered by the committee.
Consider having this as a topic of conversation over the dinner table. What are your children’s thoughts? Ask your neighbours if they have thought about a new Village slogan. Perhaps discuss it with friends at church or the coffee shop. The schools will be invited to get involved as well.
To get you thinking, Here are some slogans of other Ontario municipalities.
MUSKOKA – Once Discovered, Never Forgotten
NORTH BAY – Gateway of the North
OSHAWA – Prepare to be Amazed
THUNDER BAY – Superior by Nature
GUELPH – Making a Difference
AURORA – You’re in Good Company
Some considerations when writing a slogan:
Keep it short and simple. It needs to be pithy – saying a lot with a little
Focus on what makes us different
Timeless
Ensure it can stand alone
Make it memorable by using rhyme, rhythm, and brevity
Be honest
Have fun!
You can participate in STEP TWO from November 22 – December 13 in a variety of ways:
The Remembrance Day events kick off at 10:00 tomorrow morning at Town Hall. The Military from CFB Kingston is executing the “Freedom of Village”, similar to July 1, 2017 when we celebrated the Sesquicentennial. They will stop at Town Hall and then march through the Village making their way to the Memorial Gates and Lockwood Park.
The plaque on the Memorial Gates, which was donated by the Women’s Institute in 1924 to recognize the local men who died in WWI, has been restored to it beautiful original condition by the National Wall of Remembrance Association. Its rededication begins at 10:20. Joining Paul Herlehy, who represents the families, will be Michael Barrett, MP and the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
The Remembrance Day service follows the rededication.
Robin, The Mayor 
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