Tag Archives: Westport

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Minister Duguid says he has “no pot of money” for Westport

Thank you to everyone who wrote to the Minister.  He and his staff discussed the Westport e-mails and letters – so your work was not in vain.
The meeting with Minister Duguid did not result in a commitment for any money as he said “there is no pot of money”.  This week the Premier announced that in 2017/18, the amount of money for infrastructure would be doubled and that there is another intake for OCIF funding in April – but again, this is for 2017.
The Minister  is aware that we will be using our existing OCIF grant money to cover the costs of hauling this year – an amount that could easily be $500,000.  He sympathized.
Minister Duguid and his staff encouraged us to be “shovel ready” for the Federal grants, which should be announced in April.  According to our schedule of events  including the tendering process, we should be.  The Minister did share with us that  the province doesn’t know what the scope of those grants will be.
The final discussion with them was my request to keep whatever is remaining from our 2015/16 OCIF grant beyond December 2016 and use it in 2017 with that year’s grant.  Normally , this is not approved by government – but as the Minister said, due to our “unique” situation, he and his staff will see what they can do.
The Minister was a real gentleman – and although we did not make any headway in $$$ – I felt that he listened to our situation.
I am still waiting to confirm dates/times for meetings with the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change and with the Minister of Municipal Affairs.
Thank you everyone for your support and comments.  We are not finished in our quest by a long shot!
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SNOW REMOVAL IN WESTPORT

Attention business owners, snow plow operators, residents and other concerned community members.

The most recent snow storm and its clean up has highlighted the need to hold an open forum where everyone can have their say about snow removal.  Roads, sidewalks, snow banks – they all require discussion.  Council wants to hear from you. On Thursday, February 25 from 5:30-7:00 pm, mayor and council will be hosting a Town Hall meeting.  Anyone wishing to share their concerns or perspective will be given the opportunity.
Within the next year, Council will be making changes to the existing snow removal by-law.  The current contract for snow removal expires April 2017 and the village will be putting out a tender in 2016.  The information that is shared on Thursday will assist us in our deliberations.
Please mark the date and time on our calendar – come to the Town Hall meeting and have your say!
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Meeting with Minister Duguid scheduled for Tuesday afternoon in Toronto

Thank you to everyone who sent an email or letter to Minister Duguid requesting consideration for the OCIF grant from the Village.  The Minister  has scheduled a meeting with me next week.  If you haven’t sent your email yet, please follow through as your concerns need to be heard by the Minister.

I would appreciate having a copy of all your emails/letters as I intend to have them with me at the meeting – so please send them to me if you haven’t already done so.

When the grant was turned down on February 5th, I also sent letters to the Minister of the Environment, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.  These three ministries and the Ministry of Infrastructure are the four that overlap in their responsibilities for the municipality.

Glenn Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change and Ted McMeekin, Minister of Municipal Affairs have committed to meeting with me – those dates are still being arranged.

I will take with me into the meetings the knowledge that the thoughts and needs of all 672 residents and those who work and play in the Village are with me.  Westport has such a strong spirit.  I am proud to be your Mayor.

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54 cm – Record 1-day Snowfall

Wow!  I think we can all come up for air now.  Schools are open today.  Sun is shining and the temperature is “February cold”.  Thanks to Mr Charby and Mr Jackson for working so hard to get the streets open Tuesday night and working on widening them on Wednesday.  Still lots of work to do on the roads.  I spoke to the gents yesterday and the sidewalks are going to be a challenge.  We will see how what progress they make later today.  Perhaps the warm weather on Saturday will help.  In the meantime, please be careful when walking on the roads.

I also noted, like many of you, huge piles of snow moved onto the streets from private property.  I will be hosting  a meeting in the next couple of weeks with business owners and snow plow operators to discuss options of how we can work together to manage large snowfalls in the future.

Final word on this snow event is FUN!  The children (of all ages) hadn’t had any snow related activities yet this winter, so 2 “snow days” helped make up for that!

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Re: UPDATE – Infrastructure (OCIF) Grant

We have an amazing MPP.  Steve Clarke has been working on our behalf since hearing this news on Monday.

Many people have asked me what they can do to help.  You can write or email the Minister ultimately responsible for infrastructure in the province of Ontario.

Minister Brad Duguid
Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure
8th Floor, Hearst Block
900 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario M7A 2E1
Tel
416-325-6900
Fax
416-325-6918
bduguid.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

Thanks everyone.  We will continue to explore all avenues.  Your comments and support over the past couple of days are very much appreciated.