Councillor McCann Meeting Report (April 16, 2024)
Special Council Meeting Regarding 2024 Operating Budget
On Tuesday evening, April 9, 2024 I took part in the Special Council Meeting to review the 2024 Operating Budget as prepared by staff.
Parry Sound Public Library Board Monthly Meeting
On Wednesday morning, April 10, 2024, I attended the Parry Sound Public Library Board Monthly Meeting held in person at the library. The Treasurer’s Reports for December of 2023, and January and February of 2024 were presented and approved. Other matters included discussion on security measures for the Accessibility Entrance and monitoring traffic in and out of the library building, discussion regarding a lift or elevator for the library building and fund raising hopefully to materialize in the near future. On that note a Multi-Year Accessibility Plan was presented for 2024 to 2028. We want to acknowledge and thank the Rotary Club of Parry Sound for donating funds to purchase two new Victor Readers for circulation at Lakeland and Belvedere. The machines are on order and expected any time now. Daisy discs are supplied free of charge through the CNIB. Through the Multicultural Centre Partnership the library has welcomed Pulkit Dhir. He is the Library Settlement Partnership Worker for Parry Sound. His position is funded through the North Bay & District Multicultural Centre. We are in partnership with the Parry Sound YMCA, who provides office space on Mondays for the program. He will be available at the library on Thursdays and divides the rest of his hours between the library, the YMCA, and attending various events around the community. The role of the Library Settlement Partnership worker is to be available to offer additional support to newcomers to Canada by answering various questions such as how to apply for OHIP, how to register kids in school, and so much more. As always there are plenty of programs for the public. Keep an eye on the library’s website at https://www.parrysoundlibrary.com/.
Waterfront Advisory Committee Meeting
On Monday afternoon, April 15, 2024, I attended the Waterfront Advisory Committee Meeting held in Council Chambers, Parry Sound. Dave Thompson presented a Waterfront Property Overview, Anne Bossart reported on the 2024 Summer Event Schedule. There was discussion on the Town Dock Washroom Hours for the season and we continued discussion on the committee’s vision for the waterfront.
Grand Opening of “Curling in Parry sound: Celebrating 125 Years”
The Grand Opening of “Curling in Parry sound: Celebrating 125 Years”, Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 1:00, at the Museum on George Street, Parry Sound. Dignitaries will be on hand. The public is invited. 
Celebration of Lives Well Lived
At Council’s last regular meeting I reported on a special event coming up near the end of this month, a Celebration of Lives Well Lived honouring Wayne and Antje Cormier having passed away on November 14, 2023 and February 3, 2024 respectively in Cheticamp, Nova Scotia. Wayne and his wife Antje relocated there in 2019 but having lived some 50 years here in Parry Sound, each left an indelible mark and wonderful legacies behind for the people and the area here. Wayne’s sudden passing, followed by Antje’s passing only 81 days later, left a large community mourning their death. Whether it's Canadore College, Economic Development, Big Brothers, Hope Pregnancy Centre, The Flying Fathers, fundraising, Knights of Columbus, Kinsmen, hockey, baseball, coaching, The Health Centre Ladies Auxiliary, Kinettes, Catholic Women's League, various boards and committees, chances are nearly most things in this area contain have Wayne's and Antje's DNA. This celebration is expected to receive a huge turnout where it’s taking place on Sunday afternoon, April 28, 2024, from 2:00 to 5:00 at the Mike Konoval Community Hub in the Carling Township Community Centre, 2 West Carling Bay Road, Carling. Great memories, stories, with a number of people speaking and a multimedia presentation, and food will make up the afternoon.
