From the Desk of Mayor Rawson & Council #2
Bonjour, Ahneen, I hope everyone had a great week last week and a good start to this week. This communication will be regularly sent before a council meeting, and we will send an update thereafter. Anticipate bi-weekly updates, and for a start, more regular updates will be provided. I appreciate all the comments received this week about this message and welcome your feedback anytime. Over the next several weeks, we will be working to broaden the approach and reach of our communications.
We Need Your Help!
Applications for our committees are open until Wednesday, November 30. Please consider participating in one of our committees. Send your application to our Clerk, Stacey Cooper. You can learn more about the committees, working groups, and boards at Committees and Boards - Town of Penetanguishene and the application can be found in Committee Application Form.
If you require assistance, don't hesitate to contact town hall at 705-549-7453 and advise you are looking for help with the committees and boards application process from the clerk's office.
Past Week's Events
The past week saw our council complete orientation with our town staff, including a tour of our facilities. Some areas were highlighted as we prepare for budget discussions.
Additionally, Deputy Mayor Dan La Rose and I participated in the orientation for the County of Simcoe.
The week's highlight was our town council's inauguration on Wednesday night. It was a very special night with standing room only inside the council chambers. If you would like to watch the inaugural, you can see it on Rogers Cable TV or on our Town’s YouTube channel - Watch the Inaugural here. On behalf of council, thank you to our town staff for creating an amazing atmosphere and a moment we will all remember for years to come. We have so many people to thank for participating in creating a special moment. I would like to thank the following for their participation in the inaugural:
- Elizabeth Desrochers - Piper
- Burkevale School Choir - O’Canada
- Chigamik Women’s Drum Circle
- Reverend Colonel Doug Clark - Blessing
- Adam Chambers, MP
- Jill Dunlop, (Leslie Stroud) MPP
- Warden George Cornell - County of Simcoe
- Councillor Trevor Reid - Beausoleil First Nation
- Greg Garratt - Georgian Bay Metis Council
- Anne Gagne - Francophone Representative
- Hayden Cowell - Youth Representative
- Bruce Stanton
- Mayor Bill Gordon - Town of Midland
- Mayor David Evans - Tiny Township
- Mayor Ted Walker - Tay Township
- Jane Sinclair - County of Simcoe
Our inaugural was focused on the inclusivity of the wide representation that makes our community. Special recognition to everyone that attended the event or has watched it from home online or on TV, as well as to our family and friends.
On Saturday past, Councillor Bill Waters and I attended the Midland Santa Claus parade, which was very well attended with the amazing weather we experienced.
Over the past several months, we have been faced with increased costs for policing directly related to the Central North Correctional Centre. CAO Jeff Lees has provided updates on this file along with future advocacy that is required. I have had a couple of brief conversations with MPP Jill Dunlop about these costs and have secured a meeting with our town staff and I early in December. I will provide updates as we learn more and know that this is a community priority, and I will work alongside the council to ensure success for our community. Additionally, I have communicated with MPP Dunlop the importance of Burkevale school having time to work forward on Burkevale’s capital campaign. MPP Dunlop has committed to a meeting with Burkevale, and I have followed up with their board chair, Lynne Cousens.
Finally, I would like to outline our Councillor’s alignment of the sections and their contact information. Our staff and council are available to help you wherever we can, and you can reach any staff or council member at 705-549-7453.
Finance and Corporate Services Section
Chair - Councillor Bonita Desroches
Vice Chair – Deputy Mayor Dan LaRose
Transportation and Environmental Services Section
Chair – Councillor Suzanne Marchand
Vice Chair - Councillor Doug Leroux
Recreation and Community Services Section
Chair - Councillor Bill Waters
Vice Chair – Deputy Mayor Dan LaRose
Planning and Development Services Section
Chair – Councillor George Vadeboncoeur
Vice Chair – Councillor Doug Leroux
Upcoming Council Events
Wednesday, November 30 @ 7:00 pm - Town of Penetanguishene Special Committee of the Whole Meeting (Budget #1). We will have deputations from the Penetanguishene Library, Community Reach, Severn Sound Environmental Association, Huronia Airport Commission, Economic Development Corporation of North Simcoe, Culture Alliance, and Georgian Bay Physician Recruitment focused on their budgetary requests from our town. Additionally, we have a deputation from a member of our community regarding fees and charges by-law. Staff will introduce the budget, which will be our Council's first review. We will review the 3-year operating budget, ten-year capital plan and 2023/2024 capital justifications, 2023 departmental goals and objectives and understand the 2023 estimated tax impact. Access the Agenda here.
Wednesday, December 14 @ 7:00 pm - Town of Penetanguishene Council and Committee of the Whole. The first full meeting of the 2022-2026 Council. An update will be out a few days before informing you what is on the Agenda and how to participate. Access the Council Agenda here. Access the Committee of the Whole Agenda here.
Upcoming Special Events
Friday, December 2 @ 5:00 pm @ Town Dock - Town of Penetanguishene Festival of Lights. Due to a prior engagement scheduled months before the election, I cannot attend. Members of Council and staff will join Deputy Mayor La Rose for the annual tree lighting ceremony at the Penetanguishene Town Dock. After the tree lighting, everyone is welcome to attend the Penetanguishene Centennial Museum for activities and good family fun.
Wednesday, December 7 @ 7:00 pm @ Townhall - Town of Penetanguishene Public Consultation - Budget 2023
Please participate in the public consultation session and provide your feedback regarding the 2023 Budget, including the 2023 operating, 2-year capital plan and estimated tax impact. You can participate in council chambers Town of Penetanguishene's YouTube Channel by clicking here.
County of Simcoe
County council Inaugural - December 13 @ 1:00 pm.
How to keep up to date with Community Events
You can find community events on the town's website by visiting the Community Calendar. Subscribe to ensure you never miss an event, and you can submit any community events you would like to share with the community.
All town council and committee meetings can be found on the town's website by visiting the Council Calendar. You can subscribe to ensure you never miss an event.
If you cannot make council meetings but would like to be part of the process, you can watch them online on the Town of Penetanguishene's YouTube Channel by clicking here, and most meetings can also be seen on Rogers local Tv Channel 53. All prior meetings can be seen through the Town's YouTube Channel.
The objective of this newsletter is to keep an open line of communication between your Council and the people we represent. As a follow-up to last week's newsletter, we will conclude with information from Councillor Vadeboncoeur and Deputy Mayor La Rose.
Councillor George Vadeboncoeur
Hi, my name is George Vadeboncoeur and I am one of your five elected Councillors serving along with Deputy Mayor LaRose and Mayor Rawson. I am humbled and honoured to be commencing my second four year term on Council.
I’m excited for this term of Council as we address important issues such as the future of the former PSS site (51 Dunlop Street), the future of Ojibwa Landing, a large parcel of land at the end of Penetanguishene Bay, off Robert Street West, the future of the Town Dock, launching ramp and parking lot, the location for the new arena (recreation centre). We start it all off with the review of the proposed 2023 budget.
I appreciate the comments I received when I was canvassing during the election and at the all-candidates meeting. Although I am very interested in the future direction of the Town, I will not forget the importance the core municipal services, the ones you spoke to me about; roads and sidewalks, speeding on local roads, by-law enforcement, updating old by-laws, washroom facilities at local parks, to name a few.
I recently retired from my full-time career and now have more time to spend being involved in community activities. I look forward to seeing you over the coming weeks as we head into the holiday season.
Be well.
George Vadeboncoeur
Deputy Mayor - Dan La Rose
I have lived in this area for most of my life. I work in the construction industry, have been married for 42 years and have two sons.
The reason I ran for Deputy Mayor this election was because I felt that I still had a lot to contribute and had more time to take on additional challenges.
Some of my goals are to keep allocating more funds towards the maintenance and enhancement of our infrastructure; find ways to recoup the high policing costs for the CNCC; get more resident input on the Town Dock project and the PSS property; and curtail unnecessary expenditures, to name a few.
I am looking forward to working with our new team. Let's get started!
Thanks,
Dan
Thank you, Meegwetch, Merci, on behalf of Council,
Doug
Mayor Doug Rawson