Councillor McCann Meeting Report (October 1, 2019)
Belvedere Heights Board of Management Monthly Meeting
On Wednesday, September 25, 2019 I attended the Belvedere Heights Board of Management Monthly Meeting. A number of administrative housekeeping matters were handled including receipt of the latest period financial statements.
West Parry Sound District Museum Monthly Board Meeting
On Thursday evening, September 26, 2019 I attended the Parry Sound District Museum Monthly Board Meeting. The installation of the model train is in the works. The remaining pieces arrived on September 25, 2019 and the actual installation will begin on October 1st, 2019. This is expected to take about nine days. There is a special event this month, an Historic Fashion Show Fundraiser, Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 5:00PM, dinner at 6:00PM at the Parry Sound curling Club. Proceeds will support the E. Roy Smith Gallery Renovation at the Museum on Tower Hill. In the weeks and months ahead the Board will be conducting a strategic planning session. We have been updating our financial procedures and museum policies. The Museum is also planning a special event to show off unique display cases we received thanks to Trillium funding. We received and accepted the Treasurer’s Report. We continue to receive donations of items and articles. Storage space is becoming a challenge. Rather than a complete moratorium on collecting, staff feels it would be prudent to follow some criteria for acceptance. These will include accepting only items which meet particular criteria that meet our Collections Mandate. Duplicates and items too large or fragile for the Museum to properly care and preserve may not be accepted at this time. Our manager has been putting together an Operational Plan and the 2020 Budget in preparation to approaching the area Municipalities for funding assistance.
District of Parry Sound Municipal Association Fall 2019 Meeting
On Friday, I attended the District of Parry Sound Municipal Association Fall 2019 Meeting, hosted by the Township of Carling in its brand new Community Centre. Mayor Mike Konoval welcomed everyone with his opening remarks. Highlights of the day included a FONOM Update, an address by MPP Parry Sound - Muskoka Norm Miller and from Dr. Chirico of the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit. Gail Armstrong, Outreach Coordinator talked about the Dog Therapy & Vulnerable Person Database in association with Parry Sound Victim Services, Stacie Fiddler, Executive Director of The Labour Market Group with an update on engagement projects, Bob MacPhail, Reeve of Armour Township on Flood Mitigation, and Lisa Cook, Team Leader, Employment & Learning Services, YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka speaking on local employment and literacy services in West Parry Sound. Anne Haines and Steve McArthur, Account Managers at Municipal Property Assessment Corporation brought us updates from MPAC and Lis McWalter, of Smartnow talked about their pilot project for broadband in Parry Sound. The guest speaker was Becky Pollock, Ph.D., Executive Director, of Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve. She talked about their programs and the plastic filters initiative.
Condolences to Robert 'Bob' McKowen Family
I would like to take this time to offer my sincere condolences to the family of Robert 'Bob' McKowen who past away last Saturday, September 28, 2019, at age 79. If you don't recognize the name, you will, the family business, The Town Trading Post Ltd., which has been located downtown Parry Sound since the early 1980's. He leaves behind his wife Gail of 58 years, daughter Karen Hobson (Gregory) and son Stephen, grandchildren and extended family. I first met Bob back in 1984 and we would often find ourselves engaged in one conversation or another. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
