Councillor McCann Meeting Report (October 1, 2024)
Volunteer Appreciation Cruise Event
On Wednesday evening, September 18, 2024, my wife and I were excited to be welcomed aboard the Island Queen, taking part in the Volunteer Appreciation Cruise Event. The West Parry Sound Health Centre was responsible for organizing this wonderful cruise and evening. Kristen Millett with her colleague, Meghan O’Rouke of H.E.L.P (Coordinator and Assistant to Volunteer services) and the Centre’s Senior Leadership Team did the heavy lifting in putting this together. They chartered the cruise boat, purchased all the food and organized the jazz band entertainment, "Cameleon". The band was very well received. Volunteers from Lakeland Long-term Care, Belvedere Heights, West Parry Sound Community Support Services, Hospice West Parry Sound, the West Parry Sound Health Centre Foundation Board of Directors and Volunteers, and the Health Centre’s Board of Directors and Volunteers were all invited. For those keeping track, there was a total of 225 Volunteers and leaders aboard the Island Queen, 250 Hawaiian Leis were handed out, 17 pizzas, 15 of which were party size, and drinks and snacks were arranged for the event. Topping off the event was a most spectacular calm evening on the bay ending in a stunning sunset. The organizers are already looking forward to hosting this event next year! Thank you to all who worked so hard.
West Parry Sound District Museum Monthly Board Meeting
On Thursday evening, September 26, 2024, I attended the West Parry Sound District Museum Monthly Board Meeting in person. It was a particularly long and most important meeting as we reviewed a Business Plan, our 2025 operating budget which included preparation for municipal requests, financial reports and some changes to the Collection Policy that are being recommended. For the most part, on New Acquisitions, the Museum wants new donations to be accompanied by an oral history interview. This will ensure that all new objects are meaningful additions to the collection. We accepted a contract bid on snow plowing for the upcoming winter. We had a brief introduction to the Digital Strategic Plan.
A Wave of Possibilities
The pubic is invited to attend a very special event, “A Wave of Possibilities!” at the Stockey Centre, Monday evening, October 7, 2024 from 6:00 to 9:00. Admission is free. This will be an evening of waterfront conversations with the Town of Parry Sound, the Waterfront Advisory Committee and the consulting team. This is a kickoff event to launch the public process to update the Town’s waterfront master plan. This is important as the Waterfront Master Plan will reflect a vision of the waterfront developed through community consultation. This includes many types of uses to be considered, activities, building and structures. It will help guide the decision making and investments in our community. It’s important that all voices be heard, your ideas, needs, wants and desires for a sustainable, welcoming, waterfront. Attendees will hear from a few speakers about their interests in, ideas and vision for the Parry Sound waterfront. Additionally, a representative from the City of Orillia will be on hand to describe that city's process and implementation of their Waterfront Master Plan. There will be opportunities to interact with the speakers.
