Provincial funding is up for South Dundas

What is your vision for South Dundas? Where do you see your community and your township in 10 years?

In the hope of answering these questions, South Dundas Chief Administrative Officer, Stephen McDonald submitted a request to council at the November 1st meeting for the acceptance of a “Proposal for a Community Wide Strategic Plan.”

According to McDonald, this is a “project we’ve been looking at for a couple of years now. We wanted to wait until the new council was somewhat settled before we undertook this.”

He reported that a few other studies had already been done, “namely the South Dundas Strategic Economic Development Plan and the Strategic Plan for Recreational Programs and Services. Both of these,” he continued, “were undertaken because a need existed and funding assistance was available.”

McDonald told council that “a lot of recommendations have been followed up on, so it’s time to update.”

He “recommended that we retain the services of a qualified consulting firm to assist with the development of a community vision/strategic plan.”

“This community vision/strategic plan will provide the township with a blueprint that will govern and establish strategic priorities and directions for the development of South Dundas over the next 10 years.”

McDonald supplied council with a “draft Request for Proposal” for them to review, informing council that he’d talked with a few of his peers and the process is both costly and time consuming, so that’s why staff has kept the proposal fairly  broad.

Deputy Mayor Jim Locke commented that “hiring a consultant gives good press and when you consider the scope, we get an unbiased view of what people expect.”

He agreed “council needs something to see where we’re heading.”

Councillor Jim Graham was concerned about the budget requirements. It was confirmed that the money required to complete this project was, indeed, already allotted for in the current budget.

Councillor Archie Mellan agreed that it was “worthwhile to spend the money and get an unbiased” account.

Mayor Steven Byvelds stipulated that “we need a consultant that’s fairly practical and that knows how to handle a rural/urban setting like we’re in.” He referred here to the Waterfront Project, reminding council “that it didn’t really meet the needs of the community.”

With McDonald’s request approved, Byvelds suggested that they “get the public out” to ensure they get “their say in the direction South Dundas goes.”

[…]

When the 156 women who were part of 100 Women Who Care About South Dundas came together last Thursday night, May 7 at the Upper Canada Playhouse, they came together to select three of a proposed 10 local charities/organizations to receive their donations of $100 per woman or $15,600.

They were also delighted to learn that they had been joined by the Scotiabank, Morrisburg’s Community Matching Fund program which brought their donation to $20,000.

Receiving the top vote in the 100 Women Who Care About South Dundas first-time initiative, and a $10,000 donation, was the Dundas County Hospice, headquartered in Williamsburg. Hospice serves residents of Dundas County who have been diagnosed with terminal illness. It provides the terminally ill and their families various in-home services and programs designed to help them remain at home as long as possible. 

Recently, Hospice, which operates out of the J.W. MacIntosh Support Centre, purchased a home in Williamsburg. In addition to providing space for its head office, the home will be a welcoming space for the Hospice day program which provides clients time away from homes and their caregivers.

The second place donation of $6,000 went to the J.W. MacIntosh Senior Support Centre in Williamsburg, and third place and $4,000 was donated to the South Dundas Splash Pad project at the Children’s Park in Morrisburg.

Each of the 10 organizations nominated were in attendance to market their proposal before the voting. 

They included St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage, South Dundas Youth Centre, The Dundas County Food Bank, MacIntosh Seniors Support Centre, WDMH Foundation, Optimists Club, Dundas County Community Living, Dundas County Hospice, The Carman House Museum and The Splash Pad.

After the women completed their first round vote the top three (this year four because there was a tie) organizations were given the opportunity to speak on their organization’s project.

In making his presentation to the assembled women, Hospice Board Chair, Bob Pitruniak,  said “I think the 100 Women idea is terrific and regardless of who you choose, all the people of South Dundas are going to benefit.”

In addition to explaining the work of Dundas County Hospice, he told the group of the recent purchase of the home in Williamsburg.  “We need a new furnace, we need central air, we need a new water heater and we need kitchen appliances. That is our project.”

MacIntosh Senior Support Centre, executive director Janet Levere explained the Centre has been supporting seniors in the community for over 24 years. She said the Centre’s project will be to provide financial help to local seniors. “Perhaps to help them pay for their Meals on Wheels or to help them with their heat bill. Whatever is needed to allow them to stay in their homes.” 

Levere said the Centre planned to form a committee that would review the client needs and disburse the money up to $500 per eligible senior in need. 

“We feel honoured to be here tonight, and we will use the funds to directly impact the lives of our clients,” she said.

Rosemary Laurin spoke on behalf of the Splash Pad Committee. 

“I think this is a great way to get people talking and thinking of things in our community,” said Laurin on behalf of the Splash Pad Committee. Laurin reported the South Dundas community has now raised $173,000 of the $200,000 and if they were to win, the donation would help them to reach their goal.

Dundas County Food Bank secretary Celeste Guse, said the “municipality [South Dundas] has been giving us the facility since the beginning.” She spoke of the upcoming move to the Morrisburg arena and the municipality’s continued generosity in bringing the new location up to code at their expense and fronting an interest free loan of $56,000. 

“The one thing we are asking 100 Women to help with is the cost of a loading door and separate entrance for the volunteers. The doors cost $12,500, and we are asking you to help us fund them. We are hoping we can put a plaque on the door that says ‘100 women of South Dundas provided this door’.”

[…]

South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds attended the annual ROMA/OGRA Combined Conference in Toronto last week.

The conference, which took place from February 26th to February 29th, gave Byvelds the opportunity to meet with politicians from other municipalities throughout Ontario.

According to their website, ROMA (Rural Ontario Municipal Association), “is Ontario’s rural municipal voice, ensuring that matters affecting rural  communities are brought to the attention of the provincial and federal governments.”

OGRA (Ontario Good Roads Association) “represents infrastructure interests of municipalities through advocacy, consultation, training and the delivery of identified services.”

On March 6th, Byvelds revealed that “there were no objectives going to ROMA. It is,” he added, “a great opportunity to discuss issues or methods with fellow municipal politicians.”

In terms of how things progressed at the conference, he said “there were some good information sessions.”

“I believe if you come home with one idea it was worth the effort.”

As for what South Dundas residents might find relevant from the conference, Byvelds said, “I did go to a seminar that was related to climate change and picked up a contact with information we can use when we have our public meeting concerning the sewer issues in our villages.”

In addition, “there was also a panel discussion on how municipalities need to work with local post-secondary institutions and how they affect economic development.”

According to their own literature, the ROMA/OGRA Combine Conference “is one of the largest annual gatherings of municipal leaders in Canada. It’s aim is to reinvigorate public debate about how municipalities will respond to emergent challenges and opportunities.”

This year’s conference, according to Byvelds, presented a good opportunity “to get a feeling on where the Provincial government is heading in these current times of fiscal restraint (don’t expect the cheque in the mail).”

While Byvelds didn’t get an opportunity to speak with the Premier himself, he did “take the opportunity to listen when he spoke.”

According to Byvelds, Premier Dalton McGuinty “did speak in generalities and hoped to continue to work with municipalities in the future. He committed to the finish date on the uploads but cautioned us on the new spending limit for the OMPF (Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund) of $500 million. He also re-committed to Green Energy.”

While several politicians walked out during the Premier’s ROMA appearance in protest of his energy policy, Byvelds admitted, “no, I was not involved.”

“I do not think it is a way to have a meaningful dialogue on issues. It takes two to discuss and walking out does not solve the issue.”

[…]