In a surprise move, Lord Mayor Dave Eke was selected by the Canadian Federation of Municipalities to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his exemplary efforts to make our community a great place to live. The award recognizes the important role municipal leaders play in ensuring prosperity and high quality of life in Canada’s communities. The award was created to mark the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty’s accession to the Throne. Congratulations Lord Mayor!
It began as way to improve financial accountability and transparency, and ended up receiving an award. The Town’s first-ever Annual Report, for the year ending 2011, was given the Canadian Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting through the Government Finance Officers Association. Congratulations to Town Council and staff for this recognition!
Emphasis on a prosperous and diverse economy, a sustainable agricultural sector, strong environmental stewardship and a well-planned community are just a few of the key principles found in the Town’s new Community Vision strategy. These principles will be applied to all future planning projects, under a revised Official Plan, and will help define what our community will become over the next 15 – 20 years. The community vision project arose out of recommendations from the Town’s Strategic Plan and was developed with the assistance of a Community Advisory Committee and public input received during an extensive series of workshops and consultations. A copy of the community vision presentation is available on the Town’s website.
A revised Draft Plan of Subdivision was approved by Council for a St. Davids housing development on lands once occupied by the former canning factory on the east and west side of Four Mile Creek Road, between Line 9 and the slope of the St. Davids Bench and Niagara escarpment to the south. The proposed plan of subdivision includes a mix of 235 housing units (162 single-detached, and a combination of 73 single-detached, semi-detached and townhouses), a park and a permanent storm-water pond.
A Committee looking at student demographics in Niagara-on-the-Lake has received Council approval to formally request student enrolment numbers from the District School Board of Niagara. To date, this information has not been available until the completion of an accommodation review slated at the end of February. The Niagara District Catholic School Board has provided their data to the Committee.
Work is underway to update how development charges are levied in the town as part of legislative requirements to enact a new development charges by-law by January 1, 2014. A public meeting will be held later this year once all the related background studies and staff reports have been prepared. Funds from these charges are used to offset costs associated with infrastructure requirements from new residential, commercial and industrial development.
Niagara Region has proposed a new by-law to ban smoking on all public property (regional and municipal), with a few minor exceptions and exemptions for Niagara Region Housing complexes and the Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls. Based on a presentation to Council on February 11, the target date for this new by-law is May 31, 2013. The proposed by-law was referred to Town senior staff for further review and subsequent report back to Council.
Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Christmas Parade is known as one of the best throughout the region and the 2012 event was no exception. The parade boasted 102 entries, including 9 bands and a wide variety of floats and vehicles. The parade was very well attended and was broadcast on Cogeco TV several times following the parade day. This year’s parade will be held Saturday December 14, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.
Residents are asked to be mindful of where they park during the winter months. Under the Town’s By-Law # 4305-09 and the Highway Traffic Act, parking enforcement staff will issue violation tickets to those drivers who park on public streets in a way that interferes with traffic flow and/or snow clearing operations. In view of last weekend’s major storm, these measures are all the more important and we wish to thank all residents for their cooperation. The Town’s crews worked tirelessly to have all roads and sidewalks cleared and sanded by 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 9. It is also important to remember our seniors and physically-challenged residents during these times. If you wish to volunteer for our snow removal program and help those in need, please contact the Public Works Department at 905-468-3278.
A resolution was passed supporting the applications of local breweries before the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario to sell and serve beer by the glass for consumption on their premises.
2013 EVENT KICK-OFF – Representatives of the War of 1812 Bicentennial Committee were on hand at the February 11, 2013 Council meeting to promote the exciting events planned for 2013. They include Battle of Fort George re-enactment weekend (May 25-26), Niagara Under Occupation (May 27 – December 10) and Niagara On Fire (December 6 – 7), with a final commemorative occasion to mark the Burning of the Town on December 10 at St. Mark’s Church.
BATTLEFIELD NIAGARA – February 1 – December 31, 2013. Visit this exiting exhibit on local events which occurred during 1813, including the Battle of Fort George, the occupation of Niagara by American forces and the burning of Niagara. Contact 905-468-3912 or visit www.niagarahistorical.museum for more information.
BICENTENNIAL LECTURE SERIES – Third Thursday of every month from March – September 2013. Niagara Historical Museum, 7:30 p.m. $10 admission for non-members. Please visit www.niagarahistorical.museum or call 905-468-3912 for more information.
1812 BICENTENNIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT – Sunday, May 26, 2013, at Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Course. $175 for 18 holes of golf, cart, dinner and prizes. $65 for dinner only. Registration at 12:00 Noon, Shotgun Tee-Off at 1:00 p.m. All net proceeds go toward future 1812 Commemoration events.
Please visit www.1812niagaraonthelake.ca or contact Audrey Le Goff at 905-468-3061 x 307 or alegoff@notl.org for more information on these and other events.
SPIRIT OF NIAGARA AWARD WINNERS – Niagara-on-the-Lake citizens and businesses were honoured at the annual Chamber of Commerce Spirit of Niagara Awards on Tuesday, January 29, 2013, at White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa. Lord Mayor Dave Eke was on hand to present the Citizen of the Year Award to Dr. Richard Merritt and Dr. Wesley Turner, co-chairs of the Town’s War of 1812 Bicentennial Committee. Other recipients included Ravine Estate Vineyard (Company of the Year); Sean Simpson (Peter Ling Award for Entrepreneur of the Year); The Niagara Foundation (Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award); Hunter Farms (Christopher Newton Award for Extraordinary Vision in Business); and Signature Kitchens of Niagara-on-the-Lake (Chamber of Commerce President’s Award). Congratulations to the honourees!
NOTL TOPS FOR ROMANCE – In its February on-line edition, Readers’ Digest Canada named Niagara-on-the-Lake as the 2nd most romantic area in the country, next only to Whistler, British Columbia. It should also be noted that we were the only location selected from Ontario, which reinforces what we always knew – this is the #1 romantic place for Ontarians to be on Valentine’s Day! Visit the following link for the full article.
LOCAL REPS NAMED TO NIAGARA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY PANEL – David Mole, President of Niagara Classic Transport and Dr. Dan Patterson, President of Niagara College, were among the appointees to the newly-formed Niagara Economic Development Advisory Panel. The panel will work with Regional Council and Niagara Economic Development (NED) to provide local perspective, guidance and strategic advice from sectors including industry, labour, education, and municipal government.
ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF NIAGARA MEETS GOAL – Coffee breaks across Canada have become the largest national fundraiser for Alzheimer Societies across the country. This year, through the participation of groups across the region, including our Town staff and residents, the Niagara Foundation reached its campaign goal of $100,000.
SHAW FESTIVAL – Welcomes its 2013-2014 Board of Governors, including new Chair Andrew M. Pringle and new board members Charles E. Balbach, Martha Burns, and Kristian Knibutat. Staff changes have also been made at the Shaw Festival. Valerie Taylor has been given additional responsibilities as Director of Marketing, Communications and Sales, and Norman Bradshaw has been appointed Director of the newly-formed department of Audience and Community Engagement. The Shaw’s 2013 season kicks off April 3.
ONE BILLION RISING – Come out and dance in support of the global movement to end violence against women. Thursday, February 14, 2013, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Community Centre. Hosted by NIA Fusion Fitness Class. Live music, t-shirts and door prizes. Proceeds go to Gillian’s Place.
BUNNY TRAIL SPRING FAIR – Niagara Nursery School is hosting its annual fundraising fair on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at the Community Centre. Activities include the Kinsmen Egg Hunt, games, entertainment, barbeque and bake table. To make a prize donation, please call 905-468-4386.
HELP US SHOWCASE THE TOWN – Have you taken a great photograph of Niagara-on-the-Lake that captures our unique heritage, scenery, and charm? We are looking for photo submissions to use on the Town’s website and promotional publications. Please contact us at info@notl.org. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver giving the Town permission to reproduce the image. Photo credit will be given.