From The Desk of Mayor Rawson & Council #5
Bonjour, Ahneen, I hope this finds everyone well and ready to embrace the holiday season with family, friends and loved ones. While the holidays bring many people joy, it can also be a time of loneliness for others, whether new to a community, have suffered a loss or are challenged with securing food, shelter, health and general wellness. If you or someone you know is having a hard time and you are not sure where to turn for help, support or what resources are available, I encourage you to call 2-1-1. 2-1-1- is a free community service that will help find the right resources in our community.
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Updates & Newsworthy
Winter Roads Maintenance Services – Temporary Suspension of a 2 Shift Model
Due to unplanned and temporary staffing shortages within the Roads Division, maintaining the two-shift winter operation model is no longer feasible in the short term. With the current staffing levels, temporary use of a single-day shift (7:00 am to 3:30 pm) is required to meet our winter maintenance services under the legislated Minimum Maintenance Standards. The goal is to return to a two-shift model while meeting and exceeding the required service levels.
This change is effective January 3, 2023. Any winter events outside the regular single shift hours (7 am to 3:30 pm) will require callouts to our staff. The town operated similarly in the past before shifting to a two-shift system two seasons ago.
We will continue to meet our snow-clearing obligations per the minimum maintenance standards under the single-shift model.
I understand and appreciate the public concern for our winter road maintenance. I will work with our CAO to ensure all opportunities have been explored to provide optimal service levels.
Past Week's Events
Last week your town council held its first council meeting and committee of the whole. A special council was held to appoint the towns advisory boards and committees. The following appointments were ratified for the council term:
Committee of Adjustment
- Councillor George Vadeboncoeur
- Lois Lipton
- Robert Cummings
- Stuart Starbuck
- Larry Cascagnette
Community Wellbeing Committee
- Councillor Bonita Desroches
- Beth Dubeau
- Don Roszmann
- Lisa Vallee
- Lindsay Duquette
- Anita Dubeau
- Jenny Leroux
- Linda Beausoleil
- Mary Brodeur
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Councillor Suzanne Marchand
- Kristyn Tinney
- Lindsay Cox
- Sonia Ajem-McQuinn
- Tamara Caldwell
- Dongli Lu
- Chantal Switzer
- Leanne Kindree
Economic Advisory Committee
- Councillor Bill Waters
- Andy Myers
- Gabriella Chalkley
- Dongli Lu
- Stuart Starbuck
- Sonia Ajem-McQuinn
- Don Cooper
- Stuart Spiers
Huronia Airport Commission
- Deputy Mayor Dan La Rose
- Bill Snelgrove
Library Board
- Deputy Mayor Dan La Rose
- Councillor Bill Waters
- Elizabeth Desrochers
- Lindsay Cox
- Lucie Charlebois (Tiny Township Representative)
- Peter DeCourcy
- Lindsay Duquette
Museum and Heritage Committee
- Councillor Doug Leroux
- Irene Ashworth
- Joe Maurice
- Karen Ryan
- Richard Brady
- Terri Brophy
- Toni Juneau
- Mike MaCrae
Police Services Board
- Mayor Doug Rawson
- Councillor George Vadeboncoeur
- Brian Cummings
Trails Committee
- Councillor Suzanne Marchand
- Laura Spiers
- Karen Chaplin
- Kristyn Tinney
- Mary Brodeur
- Terri Brophy
Transit Committee
- Councillor Bonita Desroches
- Robert Cummings
Other Community Committee Appointments
- Penetanguishene Curling Club - Councillor Doug Leroux
- Economic Development Corporation of North Simcoe - Mayor Doug Rawson
- Severn Sound Environmental Association - Councillor Suzanne Marchand
As a highlight, the December 14, 2022 Council meeting, including the following discussion: Access the Agenda here.
- Public Meeting Regarding a Zoning By-Law Amendment – 69 & 71 Polish Avenue
- Fees and Charges By-Law Annual Update
- Extension to Building Services Agreement with Midland
- 2023 Insurance Renewal
- Ad-Hoc Committee – Terms of Reference (Town Dock & 51 Dunlop St)
You can watch a recording of the Council and Committee of the Whole on our Town’s YouTube channel.
Wednesday, December 14 @ Immediately after Council Meeting - Town of Penetanguishene - Committee of the Whole. Access the Committee of Whole Agenda here. As a highlight Committee discussed:
Planning & Development – Chair: Councillor Vadeboncoeur
- Consent Agenda Items (Committee of Adjustment Minutes, Municipal Law Enforcement Monthly Activity, Award of RFP, Site Plan Review, Case Management Update (221 Fox & 123 Robert St E)
- Mandatory Pre-consultation By-Law (Development Matters)
Transportation & Environmental Services – Chair: Councillor Marchand
- Consent Agenda Items (Transit Ridership Report, 5-Year Sidewalk Maintenance Plan)
- Harbour Pointe Subdivision Phase 4 – Initial Acceptance of Granular Road Preparation, First Stage Curbs and Underground Infrastructure
- Dufferin/Burke/Robert St E – 2023 Budget Process Update (Engineering)
- Pedestrian Crossing Review (Robert St W @ Scott/Owen) Budget Update
Recreation & Community Services – Chair: Councillor Waters
- Consent Agenda Items (Library Board Minutes, Penetanguishene Curling Club Minutes, Tourist Information Centre 2022 Summary)
- Land Acknowledgement
- Memorial Park Washrooms
- Shade Plan for Parks
Finance & Corporate Services – Chair: Councillor Desroches
- Consent Agenda Items (2023 Development Charge Annual Index, Youth Endowment Fund Annual Report, 2011-2022 History of Grants Received.
Upcoming Council Events
Wednesday, December 21 @ 7:00 pm - Town of Penetanguishene Special Committee of the Whole (Budget Meeting). Council will review the updated budget with amendments made in the previous session.
If you want to review the budget agenda, you can find it here, or you can watch a recording of the committee of the whole, including the budget discussion, on our Town’s YouTube channel.
Upcoming Special Events
75th Annual Winterama – Help Out With Winterama
After a 3-year hiatus, the 2023 Rotary Winterama Parade will be going, and we need your help to make it great. Consider participating in the Rotary Parade, and all Winterama has to offer. The parade is Saturday, February 18, 2023, @ 11:00 am, and the theme is "Decades - Winterama Through the Year." Please help grow our winter carnival and participate in this year's Winterama parade. Trophies and cash prizes to be won:
- 1st Prize - $1000
- 2nd Prize - $200
- 3rd Prize - $100
You can register at for the parade by clicking here.
If you have any questions or require further information or help, do not hesitate to get in touch with the Town of Penetanguishene Recreation Department at 705-549-7453 or events@penetanguishene.ca.
County of Simcoe
County Council Inaugural - December 13 – A new Warden was elected – Basil Clarke, Mayor of Ramara, to a two-year term as the County of Simcoe Warden.
The Deputy Warden elected is Jennifer Coughlin, Mayor Township of Springwater.
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. You can also submit any community events you would like to share with the community.
Community Information
Recreation Programming Registration Open – December 7
Many residents have asked about our swimming & recreation programs, and we are happy to announce that the swimming program will be returning in January 2023. Registration for our municipal swimming programs opened Wednesday, December 7, 2022. You can register with our online registration portal RecDesk, or in person.
If you have any questions or require further information or help, please contact the Town of Penetanguishene Recreation Department at 705-549-7453.
As 2022 comes to a close, we look forward to a new beginning with 2023 quickly upon us. Individually, our families, neighbours and community have endured so much as we come out of the global pandemic. I am proud to serve you and our council for the next four years. We have many opportunities before us, most of which will leave a long-standing impact and legacy for our community for generations to come. We must get it right by consulting with you, our residents. We must hear from everyone, regardless of your affiliation with any specific group, age, demographic or how long you have lived here. Our community is built upon a history of people coming together with different backgrounds and cultural, religious and language differences. For generations, we have found meaningful opportunities to share with respect and a focus of togetherness for the betterment of the community we call home – Penetanguishene. As we celebrate the holiday season, reflect and celebrate our collective successes. At the same time, recognize that some within our community are less fortunate and may need some help, which could be as simple as being a listening ear or inviting to your holiday celebration. Please watch our town website and the local paper for updates regarding public consultations in 2023; with the town budget and other projects, we will seek your input (town dock, future of 51 Dunlop). Thank you for making our community unique, and on behalf of our council, we wish you the best of health and happiness in 2023.
Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noël, Joyous Kwanzaa, Feliz Navidad, Happy Hanukkah, Seasons Greetings, Happy Holidays, Buon Natale!
Alors que 2022 tire à sa fin, nous attendons avec impatience un nouveau départ en 2023 qui arrive désormais à grands pas. Nous avons tant enduré individuellement, en famille, dans nos quartiers et communautés en sortant de la pandémie mondiale. Nous sommes fiers de vous servir et de contribuer au conseil municipal pendant les quatre prochaines années. De nombreuses possibilités se présentent à nous, dont la plupart laisseront des effets à long terme et un legs durable à notre communauté pour les générations à venir. Nous devons bien faire les choses en vous consultant, nos résidents. Nous devons entendre la voix de tous, peu importe les liens avec un groupe particulier, l’âge, le groupe démographique ou la période de temps depuis que l’on habite ici. La communauté repose sur une histoire de rassemblement de gens d’origines diverses qui sont issus de contextes culturels, religieux et linguistiques différents. Depuis des générations, nous avons trouvé d’importantes occasions de partager avec respect et de mettre l’accent sur l’esprit de solidarité dans le but d'améliorer la communauté où nous habitons - Penetanguishene. Pendant que nous célébrons la période des Fêtes, réfléchissons à nos succès collectifs pour les célébrer. En même temps, reconnaissons que certains membres de la communauté sont moins chanceux et pourraient avoir besoin d'aide, qui peut être aussi simple que d'être à l’écoute ou de les inviter à votre célébration des Fêtes.
Pour les mises à jour sur les consultations publiques en 2023, veuillez consulter le site Web municipal et le journal local. Avec le budget et d'autres projets à l’ordre du jour (quai municipal, avenir du terrain au 51 Dunlop), nous comptons solliciter votre avis.
Nous vous remercions de contribuer au caractère unique de la collectivité et, au nom du conseil municipal, nous vous souhaitons santé et bonheur en 2023.
Joyeux Noël, Merry Christmas, Bon Kwanzaa, Feliz Navidad, Joyeux Hannoucah, Joyeuses Fêtes, Buon Natale!
Thank you, Meegwetch, Merci, on behalf of Council,
Doug