The Village has submitted an idea to AVIVA in an effort to obtain funding for two pieces of playground equipment for Lockwood Memorial Park. The top 50 vote getters in the Small Ideas category will each receive $10,000.
Would you support our cause by going to AVIVA Community Fund, registering and voting for our idea 18-327? You can cast your 10 votes all at once before Oct 4th.
A recent addition to Lockwood Memorial Park in the Village of Westport is a 5 1/2 foot tall “red dog”, donated by a community member. He is a handsome, fibreglass Great Dane. (I think!).
We are asking for your suggestions on what to call him. Over the next three weeks, residents, business owners and visitors are encouraged to offer their wisdom on what this fellow should be called. I have sent a letter and colouring sheets to the schools, encouraging their participation.
On October 19, the NAME THAT RED DOG! contest will close and he will have his forever name. He hibernates for the winter and will be leaving the park around that time. It is important to know what to call him before he leaves!
You can email me at rjones@villageofwesport.ca, leave a voice message at 9195 or catch me on the street. If you are in Town Hall, the staff will also take your suggestions. Have some fun!
Oh, and by the way – the winner, well – will get a bucket of pride for giving him a name!
Thank you
The legislation is just off the press and quite different from what was proposed by the Liberal government. One of the key changes from the previous framework is the “places of use”. In essence, the smoking of cannabis will be prohibited where smoking of tobacco is prohibited. The Liberal government had aligned cannabis consumption with the Liquor Licence Act. The other significant change is that retail sales will not be delivered through government stores, similar to the LCBO. Private retail stores will be licensed through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and in operation as early as April 2019.
Here are some highlights for your information:
Places of Use: Under the new federal and provincial (Ontario) legislation, people 19 years of age or older will be allowed to possess up to 30 grams of dried cannabis, or its equivalent in non-dried form and to grow no more than 4 cannabis plants in their residence.
•Smoking of cannabis will be prohibited in the same places where the smoking of tobacco is prohibited (e.g. enclosed public places, enclosed workplaces, and other specified places).
• Smoking of cannabis will be prohibited in vehicles and boats that are being driven or under a person’s care or control, subject to certain exceptions that will be prescribed by regulation.
Generally speaking, municipalities could pass by-laws further restricting where cannabis is used (e.g. in parks, marinas).
Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation: On October17th, the OCRC will be the exclusive on line retailer for legal cannabis in Ontario.
‒ Consumers 19 and older will be able to purchase cannabis via OCRC’s online retail platform. The OCRC will also be the exclusive wholesaler to future private retail stores.
‒ Online sales will be implemented in a socially responsible manner, including secure home delivery with age verification at the customer’s door, and no packages left unattended at the door.
Enabling Private Retail Stores: The government has introduced legislation to create a regulated licensing model and regulatory framework for private retail of cannabis in Ontario.
The model requires:
• Private retailers to be licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).
• The Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation (OCRC) will be the exclusive wholesaler and on line retailer of cannabis in the province.
Municipalities are required to pass a council resolution by January 22, 2019 to opt-out of retail stores, although municipalities that opt-out of cannabis retail stores would be given one opportunity to allow them to opt-in in the future, but municipalities that do not opt-out of stores by January 22nd, cannot opt-out of them at a later date.
The proposed licensing framework would not cap the total number of licenses or authorizations.
Store Operating Parameters & Distance Buffers: Additional store operating parameters (e.g. store format, security requirements, staff training requirements) will be established by regulation or by AGCO Registrar’s standards and requirements subject to additional consultation and before the AGCO begins accepting applications in December 2018.
A distance buffer between private cannabis retail stores and schools will be set through regulation in advance of December 2018 following further consultation with municipalities and key stakeholders. The distance of the buffer has not yet been established.
Municipal Order of Government’s responsibilities: The changes to the legislation on cannabis consumption are the responsibility of the Federal and Provincial Orders of Government. The only decisions that municipalities can make in relation to the legalization of cannabis are whether to opt-out of allowing private licensed retail stores and to consider if there are certain areas in the municipality where the use of cannabis should be restricted.
The discussion at Council regarding these two issues will occur in December/January. If you have comments regarding whether Westport should opt out of cannabis retail stores and/or if you have suggestions regarding any other areas in the Village where the use of cannabis should be restricted, please share them with me at 9195 or rjones@villageofwestport.ca.
Please refer to these two links for more detailed information:
• Moving Forward with Cannabis Retailing, Province of Ontario
• Bill 36
The 50 Small Ideas with the most votes will each receive a $10,000 prize. and we are planning to use that money for playground equipment inclusive for children with all abilities in Lockwood park.
The top 50 vote getters will each receive $10,000.
Could you please take a few minutes to register, vote and pass this message on to family and friends. Children who have an email address can vote with parental consent.
Here is the link to register or to log if you have previously registered. You can then apply your 10 votes for the accessible playground equipment for Westport – our idea # is 18-327.
I just checked and we already have 359 votes … we need your help to get many more votes to secure the grant.
THANK YOU!!!
At long last, the final two construction projects for 2018 are underway!
The replacement of the Bedford St dock began on Friday. In May, the Village awarded the tender and expected work to begin after the spawning season on July 1. Although there has been a long delay, it is important to get the work completed.
Thomas Fuller Construction from Ottawa has been awarded the Main St bridge rehabilitation by the United Counties. The UCLG engineers held their pre-construction meeting with Thomas Fuller Construction on Thursday afternoon. I confirmed, once again, that one lane over the bridge will remain open during the rehabilitation. The work is expected to be completed this fall. Hopefully the inconveniences will be minimal.
Please call if you have any concerns. 9195
Robin, The Mayor 
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