Tag Archives: Westport

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Morning Coffee with the Mayor… virtually, of course

Hello everyone.  I hope you are up for an experiment and a bit of fun.  Many of you are familiar with Face Time and SKYPE.  They are web based video conferencing programs.  Town Hall and Council are using “zoom”, another web based video conferencing method and it is very easy to use.

Since we are all (ahem – all!!) practicing social and personal distancing, I am hoping to have a coffee with you this Thursday, April 2 at 10:00 a.m.  Don’t worry, there is lots of room for everyone on the video conference.  Below you will see an invitation to the zoom meeting.  On your smart phone, IPAD or computer (it needs to be equipped with a camera and microphone) you click on the link to join the meeting.  You need to wait until 10:00 to enter the coffee meeting.

I have experimented with the link on my personal fb page, and it worked fine.  I won’t know if this is successful launching it from my website until Thursday.  But you know what they say … no harm in trying, if you don’t shoot you don’t score, or – well you get the idea!

So let’s have some fun and get caught up with our morning coffee on Thursday morning.

Call if you need any help – 613-273-9195

 

Coffee at home with the Mayor “Zoom Meeting”

Time: Apr 2, 2020 10:00 AM 

Join Zoom Meeting

CLICK ON THIS LINK:    https://zoom.us/j/769742228

Meeting ID: 769 742 228

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MPAC Update – Postponing the 2020 Assessment Update

Received this email from MPAC CEO and President this morning.  

Good morning Robin,

As part of the Ontario Government’s Economic and Fiscal Update on March 25, the Hon. Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance, announced the Province’s decision to postpone the 2020 Assessment Update.

The provincial government has indicated that property assessments for the 2021 taxation year will continue to be based on the fully phased-in January 1, 2016 current values (i.e., the same valuation date in use for 2020 taxation year).

At MPAC, we are committed to capturing new assessment to support your assessment base to the greatest extent we are able while observing provincial health and safety guidelines around physical distancing. As soon as our property inspectors are permitted to resume their work in your communities we will be out in full force.

In the meantime, we plan to explore alternate approaches to collect the necessary information to assess new construction activity. Our regular business of analyzing sales, completing tax applications and managing Requests for Reconsideration and appeals will continue, too.

While we know you are busy taking care of urgent issues in your communities right now, we will seek opportunities to consult with you about how we can best support you through this unprecedented pandemic.

If you have any questions, we are here to support you.

Nicole

Nicole McNeill

President and Chief Administrative Officer

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MEDIA RELEASE FROM LEEDS, GRENVILLE & LANARK HEALTH UNIT

MEDIA RELEASE:

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit

March 29, 2020

Outbreak found in Almonte Country Haven

The Health Unit is overseeing the management by Almonte Country Haven of a COVID-19 outbreak in the long term care home – 3 residents and 1 staff member have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Infection control measures have been put in place to manage the outbreak and are being monitored by the Health Unit. All staff have been instructed to wear Personal Protective Equipment at all times and to self-monitor for symptoms, and to self-isolate at home when not working.

Over the last few days, the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit has received confirmation of 15 cases of COVID-19 as of March 29 at noon – 3 long term care residents, 1 long term care staff member, 8 isolating at home and 3 in hospital. The increase in cases is not surprising for several reasons. The risk is higher in the United States now and more people returning are testing positive. The Assessment Centres are increasing access to both assessment and testing, and hospital labs in Ottawa and Kingston are now able to process the tests of people in our area with results back in one to two days.

“The increase in the number of people in our community who have tested positive for COVID-19 reinforces the importance of people staying at home as much as possible, and staying 6 feet, or two arms lengths away, from others when in public places to reduce the spread of COVID-19.” recommends Dr. Paula Stewart, Medical Officer of Health. In addition, staying home when sick, coughing in to your sleeve, washing hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitizer, and cleaning commonly touched surfaces will reduce the risk of people becoming ill.

A quarantine of 14 days is now mandatory for all Canadians returning from travel outside of the country. Returning travellers must go straight home upon their return to the country, and rely on help from family, friends, their municipality and local agencies for anything they need.

The provincial government has now directed all food premises to close to the public unless they can arrange for take-out services, all non-essential businesses and personal services settings are closed to the public as well to reduce physical distance between people.

The best way to get reliable information about COIVD-19 is by visiting www.healthunit.org. Please call the Health Unit if you have any questions at 1-800-660-5853 x 2499 from 8:30 to 4:30 every day. You can also get important public health updates by connecting with LGLHealthunit on Facebook and Twitter.

If you have respiratory symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who does, self-isolate at home and then use Ontario’s Self-Assessment Tool for their recommendations. If you need further assistance, call TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or your health care provider.

Visit Ontario’s website, www.Ontario.ca/coronavirus to learn more about how the province continues to protect Ontarians from COVID-19.

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For media interviews, contact: Susan Healey, Communications Co-ordinator, 613-802-0550 orsusan.healey@healthunit.org

 

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Time to pause to say thanks

It has been a little over two weeks since the community began to pull together, putting strategies in place to slow the spread of COVID-19.  I am aware of the cooperation taking place to keep everyone in the Village safe as well as the “out of the box” thinking underway to meet these new challenges.   You make the Village safer and me very proud to be your Mayor.

We have seen extraordinary leadership from Tracey, Neil & Martha and Paul.  Early decisions were made by many businesses to prevent the spread of the virus – either by early closures or restricted access.

Essential services are keeping us provisioned and we are thankful to – Les, Paul&Marcia, Guy&Cathy,  Canada Post staff, Morgan, Frank & Steve, John&Cynthia, Steve, Tara&John, Doug&Susan, $store.  The LCBO keeps us stocked. CRCHC takes care of our medical needs and Paul, Anne-Marie, Peter, Jamie and Brandon are keeping the lights on at Town Hall.

I also want to bring to your attention the support of three people that you might not be aware of.  Our Medical Officer of Health, Dr Paula Stewart, has answered each one of my many emails seeking answers to your questions. There are many municipalities in the tri-county area covered by the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark Health Unit. And yet she provides the information we need, often in the evening, telling me she is working long hours.  Thank you Dr Stewart.

Our MP, Michael Barrett reached out to me in early days and offered his support.  I have had to contact Michael several times and his responses have been prompt, accurate and complete.  Great working with you MP Barrett.

Finally, our MPP, Minister Steve Clark has been a workhorse.  With his dual roles – as our MPP AND as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing – Minister Clark and his staff have been incredibly supportive and helpful.  All calls are returned quickly with the information we need to continue our planning in the Village.  And to receive a phone call from Steve in the middle of busy days for both of us – just to check in – well, I think that says it all.  You are doing a great job, MPP Clark.

Despite the hard work to date, everyone needs to continue to keep our safety net around the Village and not drop our guard.  COVID-19 is spreading around us and we need remain vigilant.

On behalf of Jacky, Barry, Rob and Melissa, thank you everyone – for all that you do.

Call anytime – 273-9195

 

 

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FIRE CHIEF DECLARED TOTAL FIRE BAN

Earlier this week, Fire Chief Scott Granahan declared a fire ban for Westport and Rideau Lakes.  This ban has been put in place as part of the ongoing risk assessment of COVID-19.  There are many large signs placed around and in the Village, however as most of you are staying home, please share this declaration with those who might otherwise not see the signs.

Should you be reading this from an adjoining community, please check the home web page of your municipality for news about a fire ban that might affect you.

Please stay well, stay at home, stay 6′ apart.

Call if you have any questions – 273-9195.