Councillor McCann Meeting Report (September 5, 2023)

Waterfront Advisory Committee Meeting
On Thursday, August 10, 2023 I attended a Waterfront Advisory Committee Meeting here in Council Chambers. Discussion centred on approaching the Town about extending the hours of operation of the washrooms at the Town Dock.  An extension has been provided by the contract operator.  We also received a briefing and clarification from Town Staff regarding the current safety status of the Town Dock, in particular the bollards and their strength and endurance to secure cruise ships such as the Pearl Mist when docked.  Public access for new waterfront development was talked about. The committee is interested in planning and design guidelines, zoning regulations, development agreements and also potential partnerships between public and private enterprise.  Mayor McGarvey was our special guest and we had a conversation with him regarding his vision for the waterfront.  Potential opportunities, challenges and time frames were all brought up.


Labour Day Weekend Fireworks
It was a delight to view the fireworks last Friday evening, which were postponed on Canada Day due to extreme fire hazard conditions.  It was a great show.  My wife and I enjoyed our great view standing on the new breakwater dock... almost like being on a boat.  Thank you to staff and all those involved who arranged and put on a magnificent show!







Congratulations to Peter and Laurette Agnello on Their 70th Wedding Anniversary
I would like to take this opportunity to wish Peter and Laurette Agnello a very sincere and happy 70th Wedding Anniversary.  Today, is the official day, September 5th. The couple married on September 5th, 1953 at the Catholic Church in Depot Harbour. They returned there on their 50th Wedding Anniversary to renew their vows.  On Sunday they received a special blessing from Fr. Jerry Tavares at St. Peter’s Church, followed by a huge, warm applause from the congregation. Peter just turned 90 on July 11th this summer while Laurette is 88, so if you do the math you will know they got a very early start on their lives together.  The two raised eight children and are blessed with 12 grandchildren.  Peter was born at Depot Harbour while Laurette was born in Saskatchewan. She grew up in the Lindsay area. She was a nurse in training at St. Joseph's Hospital. She worked many happy years at Shoppers Drug Mart in town. Peter worked at Rockwell, at St. Joseph’s and they also operated their own Refrigeration and Appliance Sales business, also a bait business and eventually Peter studied to become a First Class Stationary Engineer and took up that career at what was then The General Hospital retiring some 30 years later. So once, again, a very, very Happy Anniversary to the Agnello’s!


Back to School
I would like to also take this opportunity this evening to wish students heading back to school all the best.  Whether it's first day in JK, or entry into post secondary education, I hope you have a very productive and successful school year.  This is also an ideal time to remind drivers to be extra diligent and cautious in keeping an eye out for those young pedestrians.