From the Desk of Mayor Rawson & Council #6

09 January 2023

Bonne année-happy new year! I hope you had an opportunity to share time with those close to you over the holidays. The past few Christmas’ was different for many as we dealt with the pandemic. Many looked forward to continuing the traditions, but for many, it was potentially different from the storms we faced. I hope you have had time to share and make memories with those close to you. As we enter a new year, I wish everyone nothing but health, happiness and success in 2023.   

If you or someone you know has difficulty figuring out where to turn for help or want to learn about available resources, I encourage you to call 2-1-1. This free community service will help you find the right resources in our community.    

Please help spread the word about this communication and encourage others to subscribe. We have placed this newsletter throughout the community (arena, town hall, library) and are open to other sources. Starting the last week of January, we will publish a print version in the Midland Mirror, especially for those not connected to the internet.  

Subscribe to Town Of Penetanguishene News Portal 

UPCOMING COMMUNITY CONSULTATIONS 

Thursday, January 19, 2023 @ 3:00pm @ Brian Orser Hall, 61 Maria St, Penetanguishene Arena. – Let's Talk Budget.  Meet with our staff, learn and provide feedback on the 2023 municipal budget. We want you to share your ideas, thoughts and priorities on important financial issues.  

UPDATES & NEWSWORTHY 

OPP WARNING – POTENTIAL FATAL STRAIN OF OPIODS (Copied from a recent OPP News release) 

Members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Crime Unit and Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) in Central Region are warning members of the public of a highly potent and potentially fatal strain of illicit opioids that may be circulating within the County of Simcoe and the District Municipality of Muskoka after four people lost their lives from a suspected opioid overdose. 

On January 3, 2023, Southern Georgian Bay OPP officers responded to a report of two females in their early 20s located deceased as a result of a suspected opioid overdose at a residence in the Township of Tay. Three days later, on January 6, 2023, Bracebridge OPP officers responded to a report of two males in their mid-40s who also died as a result of a suspected opioid overdose inside of a motel unit in Gravenhurst. 

Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid up to 100 times more potent than morphine and up to 40-50 times more potent than heroin. Carfentanil is a synthetic opioid up to 100 times more potent than fentanyl. The prevalence of illicit opioids distributed through drug trafficking networks continues to increase. Trafficking in opioids is a very serious offence. Drug dealers are knowingly distributing products that cause harm and could kill. 

Fentanyl can be lethal in very small quantities. If someone's drug of choice is mixed with or contains fentanyl, it can potentially kill them. Opioid users have a higher risk of experiencing an overdose due to fentanyl potency, especially when the fentanyl is illicit and not sourced from a pharmaceutical company. It is impossible for a user to determine the quantity of fentanyl they may be using because you can't see, smell or taste it. 

Symptoms of fentanyl/opioid exposure can include: 

  • Difficulty walking, talking or staying awake 
  • Blue lips or nails 
  • Very small pupils 
  • Cold and clammy skin 
  • Dizziness and confusion 
  • Extreme drowsiness
  • Choking, gurgling or snoring sounds 
  • Inability to wake up, even when shaken or shouted at 
  • Slow, weak or not breathing 

If you, or someone you know, experiences any of these symptoms, stay at the scene and call 9-1-1 to save a life. 

The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act (GSDOA) provides some legal protection for individuals who seek emergency help during an overdose. The GSDOA protects the person who seeks help, whether they stay or leave from the overdose scene before help arrives, the person experiencing the overdose, and anyone else who is at the scene when help arrives. For more information, visit opp.ca/overdose. 

Naloxone is a drug that temporarily reverses the effects of opioids, including respiratory depression, sedation and hypotension, and allows time for medical help to arrive. The OPP has provided frontline officers with naloxone intranasal spray to help protect officers and the public from potential fentanyl exposure when attending an opioid-related incident. 

Members of the public who may be at risk of experiencing an overdose, or know someone who is, are encouraged to acquire a naloxone kit available free of charge at the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, Community Health Centres, and many pharmacies across the region. Learn more: www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Topics/drugs/opioids 

Anyone with any information about drug trafficking in our communities is asked to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000. 
 
OPP WARNING – Ice Breaking Operations There will be two commercial grain ships attempting to dock at the commercial business wharf in Midland Bay during the dates of January 10 through to January 15, 2023. Please make yourself aware of the attached approximate route that commercial vessels take entering Midland Bay. Note-provided dates are only a guide as weather and sailing conditions can change arrival dates. 

Remember, No Ice is Safe Ice! 

Icebreaking at Midland, Ontario – January 10th, & January 13th, 2023 

UPCOMING COUNCIL EVENTS 

Wednesday, January 11, 2023 @ 6:30pm - Town of Penetanguishene Special Council – Closed Session – to discuss a human resources item. 

Wednesday, January 11, 2023 @ 7:00 pm - Town of Penetanguishene Council Meeting.  Council will have two deputations (Public deputation regarding By-Law 2012-13) and Presentation regarding Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association and trails in Penetanguishene. Additionally council will discuss: 

  • Approval of prior minutes 
  • Zoning By-Law Amendment (69 & 71 Polish Ave) 
  • County of Simcoe Official Plan Amendment 
  • Terms of Reference – Committee of Adjustment 
  • Committee Appointments
  • Committee of the Whole Reports from December 14, 2022 & December 21, 2022 
  • Consideration of By-Laws (Pre-consultation By-Law; Amend Zoning By-Law 

If you want to review the agenda, you can find it here, or you can watch the Council Meeting live on our Town’s YouTube channel. 

Wednesday, January 11, 2023, Following the Council meeting, council will convene as Committee of the Whole. Agenda and how to participate can be found here: Access the Committee of Whole Agenda here. As a highlight Committee will be discussing: 

  • Transportation & Environmental Services – Chair: Councillor Marchand
    • Consent Agenda Items (Drinking Water Quality Management Systems Meeting Minutes) 
  • Recreation & Community Services – Chair: Councillor Waters 
    • Consent Agenda Items (Penetanguishene Curling Club Minutes) 
  • Planning & Development – Chair: Councillor Vadeboncoeur 
    • Consent Agenda Items (Municipal Law Enforcement Monthly Activity Report, Parking Study 2022, 4th Quarter Planning and Community Development Update, Planning and Community Development Year in Review)
    • Pre-Servicing Policy  
    • Draft Plan of Condominium/Exemption (1145 Fuller Ave – St. Andrews Village Subdivision) 
  • Finance & Corporate Services – Chair: Councillor Desroches 

If you want to review the agenda, you can find it here, or you can watch a the Council Meeting live on our Town’s YouTube channel. 

Thursday, January 19, 2023 – Let's Talk Budget, Public Consultation Event. Please join Staff, and Members of Council at the Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre (Arena) from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM to provide input on the 2023 operating and capital budgets.  

Wednesday, January 25, 2023 – Special Committee of Whole – Budget #3 – Please participate in this meeting to learn more about our 2023 operating and capital budgets.  

Past Week's Events 

On December 21, 2022, your town council held the last committee meeting for 2022.  

As a highlight, Committee discussed: Access the Agenda here. 

  • Presentation regarding Water and Wastewater Rates 
  • Public letter regarding 2023 budget considerations 
  • Arena Financial Contributions from Tiny Township 
  • Award of RFP – Community-Based Strategic Plan 
  • 2023 Budget Draft (Operations & Capital) 

You can watch a recording of the Council and Committee of the Whole on our Town’s YouTube channel. 

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS 

75th Annual Winterama – Help Out With Winterama 

Visit our Winterama site to register, learn more and participate. 

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 – January 10, 2023 @ 9:00am - Deputy Mayor La Rose and I will be attending County Council as we begin the county’s budget deliberations. You can watch County Council meetings, live on the County of Simcoe’s YouTube channel. You can review the Agenda here. Following the budget meeting, County Council will convene in a Special Council Meeting to discuss matters in closed session. You can review the Agenda here.  

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 

Who to contact? 

Thank you, Meegwetch, Merci, on behalf of Council, 

 

Doug 

Mayor Doug Rawson

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