Councillor McCann Meeting Report (September 20, 2022)
Waterfront Advisory Committee Meeting
On Monday afternoon, September 12, 2022, along with Councillor Keith I attended the Waterfront Advisory Committee Meeting. We had a recap of a Cruise Ship Presentation presented at our previous meeting by Mr. Doug Prothero, CEO and Founder of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. We felt this was well worth the time. Interesting topics and valid suggestions were made. We can expect six to eight different cruise ships visiting Parry Sound next year. We also moved to bring forth a resolution to Town Council regarding the importance of support from the Town for the cruise ship industry and that a time frame on such a plan, including quarterly updates and transparency with the community be established.
Parry Sound Public Library Monthly Board Meeting
On Wednesday, September 14, 2022, with Councillor Backman, I attended the Parry Sound Public Library Monthly Board Meeting. We welcomed new Board Members, Jonathon Baxter and Sandy Bishop. Financial and Treasurer’s Reports were received. Summer at the library has been busy with program registration and participation back to near pre-COVID 19 figures. The Parry Sound Rotary Club donated $2,000 towards the purchase of English Language Learner material and we thank Rotary very much for this generous donation. The mute boxes should be installed by late this month. Also on the horizon this fall will be the addition of Adult Programs. The search for a new CEO continues. The board viewed a wonderful video presentation showing off the library’s progress, growth and programs to augment the Annual Report.
Resignation from Belvedere Heights Board of Management
This evening I respectfully submit my resignation from the Belvedere Heights Board of Management. This comes on the heals of my wife and I are soon to be renting one of the Life Lease models from the Board of Management. To remain on the Board would pose a conflict of interest and would not be ethical. This all comes about as the Belvedere Heights Board of Management, Lakeland Long-Term Care Board and the West Parry Sound Health Centre Board collectively are moving forward with a "Campus of Care" model. Some day in the future Belvedere Heights will exist on the Health Centre property. As of now Belvedere Heights has outgrown its home on Belvedere Hill. With the "Campus of Care" pending, the Belvedere Board must determine the future of the Life Lease units. The current plan is to buy pack each unit as it becomes available. The units would then be available as rentals generating needed revenue. The Board had intended to preserve the units for employees of Belvedere Heights in need of housing. This did not come about. The available units up for rent were made available on the open public market. My wife and I, looking for a change after spending 11 years in our current apartment, made inquiries and were pleasantly surprised to learn that the units had not been let. We officially move in at the end of October, 2022. It is important to note that my term on the Board would have ended once the new Council was inaugurated in November of 2022. I am most grateful for the opportunity to have served on this Board for a period of seven years. I have worked with great people and learned much about long-term care. With talk of moving Belvedere, I have emphasized at the board and in public how passionate I am about the 'Belvedere' brand. Countless people and generations have worked, volunteered and lived in the home. Over the years so many have made financial donations to the operation and/or provided goods and services in kind. Belvedere Heights holds much history in our town and the area and has become an icon on the hill, overlooking beautiful Goergian Bay. I wish the remaining Board Members, Staff and Volunteers all the best in the years to come!
