Councillor McCann Meeting Report (September 3, 2019)
Special Broadband Funding Announcement
On Friday, August 16, 2019 I attended a special funding announcement at the Parry Sound Public Library. Councillor Vanessa Backman MC'd the event. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Marco Mendicino, announced on behalf of Minister of Rural Economic Development Bernadette Jordan that funding in the amount of $2.2 million will be provided to Bell Canada to deliver new or improved broadband Internet service to four communities here in our District. We were told that Bell Canada is contributing $1.4 million to this initiative amounting to a total of $3.6 million. The high-speed Internet projects in Ontario are made possible through the top-up to the "Connect to Innovate" program which was announced in the 2019 Federal budget. The funding will go to Moose Deer Point First Nation in Muskoka and Killbear Park, Dillon and Snug Harbour in the West District of Parry Sound.
2019 Parry Sound Downtown Car Show
On Saturday, August 21, 2019 my wife and I attended the Annual Parry Sound Downtown Car Show. I had the honour of selecting the Mayor's Favourite. congratulations to Hugh and Carolyn MacLennon of Port Carling, Ontario. Their entry, number 23, a 1951 Hudson Hornet was selected. In receiving the award, Hugh stated that he drives this vehicle everywhere. It was wonderful to see entries from outside the Parry Sound District. Vehicles from Orillia, Sudbury, Port Carling, Chelmsford, to name a few were entered. The auto show also attracted a great number of people to the downtown core. Thank you to all the entrants and to those who came out for the show!
Belvedere Heights Board of Management Monthly Meeting
On Wednesday, August 28, 2019 I attended the Belvedere Heights Board of Management Monthly Meeting. Financial records were reviewed and accepted by the board. We continue to investigate and explore Belvedere's future and sustainability through strategic planning, identifying administrative, business and management models, and exercising recognizance of the effects and impacts of voluntary integration with other service providers funded by the province in so far as the formation of Ontario Health Teams, replacing the LHIN's. Elaine Melse, Chair of Friends of Belvedere, gave the board an update on its fundraising activities, namely the collection of beer, wine and liquor bottles, skins and cans as well as pop cans. She reviewed a list of some of the items purchased for the benefit of Belvedere residents. These include mattresses, stepladders, ladders, paint, a paint machine, dishes, and a huge storage shed constructed by Martin’s Mitrebox. To date some $89,000 has been raised. A great deal of thanks is extended to the Friends of Belvedere for their hard work, efforts and time!
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Elaine Melse, Friends of Belvedere August 28, 2019
Left to right: Art Coles, Paul Borneman, Marsha Rivers, Lynne Gregory, Elaine Melse, Doug McCann, Ted Knight, Karen Insley Stewart, Don Carmichael