Dunbar tender approved

The Green Food Box is returning to South Dundas. In partnership with the Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU), Linking Hands has joined forces with the Dundas County Food Bank (DCFB), the Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry […]

“I encourage all residents of South Dundas to participate in the Community Cafés this week,” said South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds on March 19th.

Dillon Consulting Limited, on behalf of the township of South Dundas, is holding four Community Vision Cafés beginning today, March 21st. 

Today’s cafés will take place at Matilda Hall in Dixon’s Corners from 2 to 4 p.m. and at the Morrisburg Meeting Centre from 7 to 9 p.m.

Tomorrow, March 22nd, there will be an afternoon café from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Iroquois Civic Centre and an evening café from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Williamsburg Oddfellows Hall. 

According to Economic Development Officer Nicole Sullivan, organizers continue to take reservations for the cafés and will do so up until the final café. Those who want to come, but haven’t made a reservation, are encouraged to attend regardless.

And, “if you can’t make it,” said Byvelds, “please go to the South Dundas website and follow the links to fill out the survey.”

“This is your opportunity to have your say on where South Dundas should be in the next 10 years.”

The online survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/s/DL7QZWF where there are seven questions to be answered:

•What are we doing well in South Dundas?

•If I left my community and returned in 10 years, what would I want to see?

•What external influences affect South Dundas?

•What are our community’s assets?

•What is unique in South Dundas that no other municipality has?

•What will be the most important thing to ‘get right’ in creating South Dundas’ future?

•What partnerships are needed to get things done?

According to Sullivan, the survey will be available online for two weeks following the café consultations. Anyone who hasn’t done so already, is encouraged to visit the website and complete the survey.

In addition to the online survey, the township of South Dundas is also creating an online photo journal. To submit photos, email the photo with a description to photos@southdundas.com

Going forward, Chief Administrative Officer Stephen McDonald explained that a status report based on the information gathered from the public will be ready for council to consider in April. 

In June, an implementation plan will be presented to council for consideration. 

[…]

Sari Liem of Dillon Consulting in Ottawa presented the interim report for the South Dundas Community Strategic Plan at the May 15th council meeting.

She reminded council that the process “is very much shaped by the community.”

Liem also pointed out that ideas need to be “achievable, practical and economically achievable” and should “support continuous improvement.”

According to Liem’s report, “we received over 200 community wishes (specific aspirations for the betterment of the community) across the various consultation activities.”

“The community wishes have been grouped into seven topic areas:

• Culture, heritage, tourism and waterfront development;

• Beautification;

• Economic growth, job creation and business support;

• Social supports, community resources and affordable housing;

• Planning and infrastructure;

• Recreation programs and facilities; and,

• Agriculture.”

In addition to breaking community wishes into topic areas, the Dillon consultants were able to summarize community wishes and ideas into common themes, which include:

• Create a municipal identity that will celebrate South Dundas’ rich history and culture;

• Create recreational programs, opportunities and facilities that will attract and retain families, children and youth;

• Strengthen South Dundas’ agricultural sector through partnerships with tourism industry;

• Support business expansion and job creation;

• Sustain South Dundas’ small town lifestyle through appropriate development;

• Implement beautification projects to strengthen our sense of pride and community.”

Liem told council the action plan meetings will be held on May 30th at Matilda Hall in Dixon’s Corners between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. Anyone in South Dundas wishing to have input in making actual plans for moving forward in South Dundas should register and attend.

Participants will be divided into two groups: group A and group B. Each group will tackle three different themes, spending 90 minutes on each planning session.

Following Liem’s presentation, mayor Steven Byvelds said, “I think what you’ve heard is what South Dundas is all about.”

“Hopefully, with appropriate action plans, we’ll get there.”

Following the action plan meetings, Dillon Consulting will create a recommended vision statement and an implementation strategy complete with timeline. 

The final plan, when ready, will be presented to council for approval and then be released to the public.

[…]