Councillor McCann Meeting Report (October 4, 2022)
Belvedere Heights Board of Management Monthly Meeting
On Wednesday morning, September 21, 2022, along with Councillor Borneman I attended the Belvedere Heights Board of Management Monthly Meeting, via ZOOM, for what would be my final meeting on this board. As discussed at our last Council Meeting, September 20, 2022, I tendered my resignation from the Board and would be officially bringing that to the Board of Management meeting. After declaring this I remained in the meeting as a guest. Finally, I stated in my letter of resignation that I have grown passionate about the home and its significance in the history of our area. I have come to realize that long-term care should be anything but warehousing our seniors and frail individuals. This building has become their home and the staff, residents and volunteers have become family. Since 1965 people have donated countless hours of volunteer time, thousands of dollars in funds and additional labour and supplies given in kind. This is testimony that Belvedere Heights is truly a home and not an institution. I took the opportunity to encourage this and future Boards to maintain, protect and preserve the ‘Belvedere’ brand as we move forward with area partners in developing a ‘Campus of Care’ model. All the best to the Board and Belvedere Heights.West Parry Sound District Museum
On Thursday evening, September 22, 2022, I attended the West Parry Sound District Museum Monthly Board Meeting, by ZOOM. The Business Manager's Report was received, including a review of the Budget vs Actual Spending/Revenue for the first seven months of 2022. We reviewed our Exhibition Policy making no changes at this time. There was discussion about signage and an Ad Hoc Committee was struck to investigate options to make the Museum’s existence more visible in and around town. I will be a part of that committee. The Museum is closed from October 3rd to October 7th to the public while staff and volunteers empty the barn on site. There will be a storage container in the parking lot for the winter to hold items from the barn. This is to allow for a freeze and thaw cycle over the winter to kill any insect eggs that may be on the items. Staff will have a chance to catalogue and develop a storage plan for the artifacts. George street between the Museum and Forest Street is in poor condition. On average the Museum welcomes 10,000 visitors annually. Conservative estimates places visitors to the Tower Hill Garden at three times that amount and there are probably about 5 to 10 tour buses that visit the hill during the summer. The road justifiably needs attention. Finally, we are hoping to improve our broadband delivery to the Museum.