Tag Archives: Westport

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looking for information re: women’s institute plaque at cenotaph

The Village of Westport has accepted an offer from an organization known as the National Wall of Remembrance, to restore the bronze plaque on the gates of Lockwood Park. This plaque was donated to the Village by the Women’s Institute for the Cenotaph. Attached is a photo from the Museum which depicts the plaque in its former glory. As you can see, some of the decorative features of the plaque have gone missing over the years and we would like to enlist the help of the public to identify what some of these features were.

The large crest in the center area of the plaque has been removed and we would like anyone that has a better photograph of this feature or anyone that simply knows what the crest represented, to come forward with information that could assist with the restoration.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Please contact CAO Paul Snider at psnider@villageofwestport.ca or 613-273-2191 if you can help.

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Ontario Supports Small Main Street Businesses with $60 Million in Funding through PPE Grant

DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY!
Province of Ontario is helping small businesses with the unexpected costs of PPE. The grant application is now live, apply here.

Eligibility
To be eligible, your business must have two to nine employees and be in one of the following sectors: retail, accommodation and food services, repair and maintenance, personal and laundry services

What you’ll get
Eligible small businesses will get one-time grants of up to $1,000.

What you’ll need to apply
You will need to submit receipts or proof of costs for PPE purchased since March 17, 2020. This includes:gloves, gowns, face shields, eye protection, masks, sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, thermometers, temperature monitors or cameras, physical changes, including the installation of hand sanitizer stations and plexiglass dividers, signs to guide or inform customers and employees
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Ontario Updating COVID-19 Response Framework to Help Stop the Spread of COVID-19

NEWS RELEASE

Modelling Shows New Thresholds Needed to Bend the Curve and Keep People Safe 

November 13, 2020

Office of the Premier

TORONTO — In consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Public Health Measures Table, the Ontario government is taking immediate action to respond to the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases and is updating the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework, by lowering the thresholds for each level in the framework. These necessary updates will help limit the spread of COVID-19 while keeping schools open, maintaining health system capacity, protecting the province’s most vulnerable, and avoiding broader lockdowns.

Details were provided today by Premier Doug Ford, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer of Health.

“Our number one priority right now is getting the numbers down and keeping people safe. That’s why, on the recommendation of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, we’re updating the framework with new thresholds so we can slow the spread of this virus,” said Premier Ford. “These adjustments are necessary to respond to the latest evidence we’re seeing and we are prepared to make further adjustments as the health experts continue to review the current public health restrictions. We must do whatever it takes to stop our hospitals from being overwhelmed and protect our most vulnerable.”

The latest modelling shows that if the number of new cases continues to grow at its current rate, the province could register up to 6,500 new cases per day by mid-December. Within the next two weeks the province will likely exceed its intensive care threshold of 150 beds, under any potential scenario.

The framework changes are in response to the current data and trends, and will lower the threshold for each of the five levels for: weekly incidence rates, positivity rate, effective reproductive number (Rt), outbreak trends and the level of community transmission. Based on these new thresholds, the following public health unit regions would be moved to the following levels in the framework:

  • Red-Control:
    • Hamilton Public Health Services
    • Halton Region Public Health
    • Toronto Public Health
    • York Region Public Health
  • Orange-Restrict:
    • Brant County Health Unit
    • Durham Region Health Department
    • Eastern Ontario Health Unit
    • Niagara Region Public Health
    • Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health
    • Region of Waterloo Public Health
  • Yellow-Protect:
    • Huron Perth Public Health
    • Middlesex-London Health Unit
    • Public Health Sudbury & Districts
    • Southwestern Public Health
    • Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

Mayor’s comment:

The 4th level in the threshold is Green – Prevent. The statistics for Leeds, Grenville & Lanark Health Unit place it in this level. You will note that much of Ontario to our east is in the Orange – Restrict level. This should be considered when you are considering travel and extra precautions should be taken if visiting with residents from those areas.

We know how to prevent community transmission of COVID-19 in our Village. Please continue to practice the public health routines that have worked for us since March. Thank you for your continued efforts.

Call anytime,

Robin Jones

613-273-9195

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REMEMBRANCE DAY 2020

There will be no ceremony at our Cenotaph in Lockwood Park this morning due to COVID-19. Although unfortunate, this is the right decision by the Legion as the majority of people who attend the service are over 65 years of age.

Legions have suggested that at 11:00, you stand in remembrance at the end of your driveway. The church bell from St Paul’s will be ringing for the two minutes. (I can‘t confirm whether St Ed’s bell will be participating.)

Yes, this is another change in our lives due to COVID-19. However, the most important part of Remembrance Day is to remember those who have paid the ultimate price in defence of Canada. It is also the opportunity to stand behind the men and women who continue to serve in our military.

Terry Kelly wrote these lovely lyrics for a song that the Westport Ecumenical choir has sung the past few years at Lockwood Park during the Remembrance Day ceremony.


They fought and some died for their homeland
They fought and some died, now it’s our land
Look at his little child; there’s no fear in her eyes
Could he not show respect for other dads who have died?


Take two minutes, would you mind?
It’s a pittance of time
For the boys and the girls who went over
In peace may they rest, may we never forget
Why they died
It’s a pittance of time


God forgive me for wanting to strike him
Give me strength so as not to be like him
My heart pounds in my breast, fingers pressed to my lips
My throat wants to bawl out, my tongue barely resists


But two minutes I will bide
It’s a pittance of time
For the boys and the girls who went over
In peace may they rest
May we never forget
Why they died
It’s a pittance of time

Please take 2 minutes in time at 11:00 today. It’s a pittance in time.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

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Christmas gift of light – call for street captains

“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

The number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Ontario continues to rise and it looks like Christmas will be very low key.

We can do something in Westport that will make a difference in the lives of our residents, business owners and visitors. We can give the Gift of Light this Christmas to our neighbours.

From Dec 12 – Jan 2, let’s encourage everyone to light up the streets by adding a light or two or three to their homes and businesses.  It doesn’t have to be a string of lights, it can be a spot light shining on the front door or tree, inside lights on the windows, a coloured light on the front porch.  Think of how the Village will look, how it will feel.

The Village is going to engage “street captains” again, as we did for the July 1st celebrations.  These volunteers will encourage 3 of their neighbours who did not put up lights last year, to add something bright this year.  If only 3 more houses on every street give the gift of light, it will make a big difference. If you are interested in being involved as a “street captain”, pls send me an email rjones@villageofwestport.ca. and indicate your street. We will have a virtual meeting in the next couple of weeks to plan our strategy.

Light symbolizes many things – but regardless of religion or culture, it means hope.  By giving the gift of light this year, you show you care and that you offer hope with others. 

Be the Spark!  Give the Gift of Light this Christmas.