Proposed Operating Budget

Without making any changes (not the intent of today’s meeting with Council), the proposed 2012 operating budget would result in a 3.67% levy increase which would translate in less than a $40 annual increase for the average Clarington home.

This figure maintains existing service levels. It also provides some increases to capital support (roads & parks); reserve fund contributions for future capital replacement; as well as support to external agencies such as the library, museum, older adults, and visual arts centre. Economic development, seniors snow clearing and other programs were also suggested to receive increased support.

From here Council will receive the full budget proposal early in the new year. Budget review, by way of a Special General Purpose & Administration Committee, will be held Friday January 27, 2012.

Stay tuned! Ask questions!

Clarington Fire busy Overnight

At approximately 1:36 AM on Monday January 23, 2012, Clarington Emergency & Fire crews were on scene of a structural fire just south of downtown Bowmanville.  There were no injuries and the cause is under investigation.

At the same time, crews also responded to a tractor trailer fire on Highway 401. No injuries were recorded and there was no damage estimate provided.

Clarington welcomes new Family Physician!

The Clarington Physician Recruitment (CPR) Committee has been hard at work, and is happy to welcome Dr. Shiv Sivapalan, a family medicine doctor, to the Clarington community. The CPR Committee has successfully recruited 25% of the current working doctors in Clarington since its inception in 2005.

As of January 12th, Dr. Sivapalan opened his practice in Suite 201, East Wing, of the Bowmanville Professional Building at 222 King St. East, Bowmanville. He is currently taking patients; to reach the office contact (905) 440-3584.
With support of our partners from the Municipality, our existing medical community and representatives from the business community, the CPR Committee (a subcommittee of the Clarington Board of Trade) has developed a strong strategic direction in attracting family doctors. Attracting and retaining physicians to Clarington is an essential component to ensuring a healthy community for the residents of the Municipality.

For more information on the CPR Committee, or to find Clarington doctors who are currently taking patients visit www.cbot.ca/physician_recruitment.

Welcome to our community Dr. Sivapalan!

ATTENTION Enniskillen Residents

A company, Oakridge Environmental, will be conducting a 24 hour well pumping test on Part Lot 18, Concession 8 (immediately east of Enniskillen Public School), during the last week of January or first week of February.  This pumping test will assist in evaluating groundwater resources that will be utilized to provide drinking water for new homes of a proposed residential subdivision.

Prior to the commencement of the pumping test, we would like to notify all residents adjacent to the property that a pumping test will be taking place.  We would like to ensure that residents are aware of our presence during the test, especially during the late evening and morning hours.  Also, we would like to obtain permission from some residents to have their wells monitored during our test.

Here is the Enniskillen-Notification Letter to Residents provided to the Municipality by Oakridge Environmental. Here is the map also provided showing the study area:  Enniskillen Survey Map

 

A Gift of Art Speaker Series

A Gift of Art (located at 187 King Avenue East, Newcastle) reminds me of the “little train that could” story. This artisan gallery, as it is called, operates at a level that I think full scale galleries would be envious of. In addition to all of the art – unique and traditional – they also operate a free speaker series featuring some of Clarington’s well-known residents. Speakers in the past have include John O’Toole (Durham MPP) and Channel 12′s Dan Carter. Please take a look at the upcoming schedule. Speakers are “on” Wednesdays from 2:00 – 3:00 PM.

JANUARY
18  Michael Hackenberger (Bowmanville Zoo) -  A Zoo’s survival in a small town Graduate of the University of Guelph – specializing in Elephant  nutrition  – That’s an appetite to fill
25  Regional Councillor Willie Woo -  Growing up in Newcastle – from small boy to Regional Councillor with an annual Polar bear swim thrown in – Meet Willie

FEBRUARY
1    David Gibson -  Gibson’s Orchard past and present – How an orchard develops – the impact on the community
8   Karen Lowery - Winter Health – Dealing with colds and Flu – holistic approaches to dealing with winter ailments
15    Edie Hopkins (Clarington Public Library)- Can a Library compete in the electronic age? As Chief Executie Officer of Clarington’s Library – Edie knows the place of the books in our lives
22  Nathan Blake – A young man’s view of life in the Canadian Military – including Afghanistan  Having recently returned from the front – Nathan knows what is behind the news
29  Nancy Hutchinson (Spinning Wheel Alpacas)- Alpaca farming and lifestyle – Just cuddly and cute? Alpacas visit seniors residences, are shy and outgoing with great individual characters.

FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PHASE 2 OF THE PORT GRANBY PROJECT

Clarington/January 13, 2012 – Federal Minister of Natural Resources, the Right Honourable Joe Oliver, announced today in Port Hope that the Government of Canada has provided the funding to permit Phase 2 of the Port Granby Project to proceed.

During Phase 1 of the Project, which started in 2002, detailed studies were undertaken to determine the best approach for cleaning up the existing Port Granby Waste Management Facility and safely storing the wastes for several hundred years.  A key focus of these studies was minimizing the impact of the Project on area residents and the natural environment.    Phase 1 ended on November 30, 2011 when the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission issued a licence to Atomic Energy of Canada Limited for the  Project.

The Phase 2 funding will permit the various activities and works required to implement the Port Granby Project to be undertaken.  These include improvements to local roads, the construction of a new state-of-the-art waste storage mound, and the construction of a new waste water treatment plant to treat contaminated water.    Waste transfer and placement will start once these necessary works have been completed.   Phase 2 activities will begin early in 2012 and are expected to continue until 2018.

Mayor Adrian Mayor stated:  “This funding announcement demonstrates the commitment by both the Government of Canada and the Municipality of Clarington to ensuring the safe clean-up and long-term management of the wastes at the Port Granby Waste Management Facility. We look forward to continuing our work with the Port Hope Area Initiative Management Office to ensure that the Port Granby Project proceeds with minimal impact on our community.”

For more information on the Port Granby Project, please contact either Janice Szwarz at 905-623-3379 X 2411 or e-mail jszwarz@clarington.net; or the Port Hope Area Initiative Management Office at 905-885-8830 or e-mail info@phai.ca.

Orono and Newcastle CIPs get a “Refresh”

Graduate students from Fleming College, with expertise in environmental studies and planning, will further their knowledge and understanding of Community Improvement Plans (CIPs) as they work with Fleming College Instructor  Kevin Duguay  and the Municipality of Clarington on “refreshes” of the Plans.

Refreshing  the  Orono and Newcastle CIPs is seen as an opportunity to build a relationship between the College and Municipality in addition to being a resume builder for the graduates.  The students are donating their time, the BIA’s have each committed to $500 for out of pocket expenses.  A team of  4-6  graduates will review the CIPs within the context of other planning documents and regulation between January and May.

The three areas of priority will be:  design (streetscape), accessibility, promoting economic development (attracting motorists).  The outcome will be a visual presentation and a summary report.  It is meant as a planning resource and will have to be reviewed in relation to the other priorities for the Municipality.  The results will be presented to the BIAs, CIP liaison groups and Council.

The graduates have already started to review the volumes of material supplied by the Municipality.  They will be doing a walkabout in each community, meeting with business representatives and other to obtaining feedback on the existing grant programs, and additional measures that could be taken.  The end result will be a 5 year plan.

For more information about this project, please contact Faye Langmaid, Manager of Special Projects, at 905-623-3379 or by email at flangmaid@clarington.net.

Welcome 2012

We are back! I hope that everyone had a great holiday (I know some of you are still on holidays) and are looking forward to some good times in 2012. Just some things to think about as we head into another weekend.

The Annual Mayor’s Levee is scheduled for this coming Sunday (January 8) in Council Chambers (40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville) from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. This is a perfect opportunity to come out and introduce yourself to our Members of Council and Mayor Foster. Its an opportunity to have a conversation about topics that are of interest to you and your family. Light refreshments will be available.

Last night, I was fortunate to go and see Bowmanville Zoo’s 2011-12 production of “The Animal’s Gift.” This must be the 3rd or 4th year that I have seen the show and I have to tell you, it just keeps getting better. Some new animactors (I thought I had coined new word but I Googled it and it already exists) have been added to the show and some of the beloved favourites are back.  The show is presented daily (Showtime is 2:00 PM) and finishes its run this coming Sunday. If you haven’t seen it, you should. It was great to hear the children enjoying the show last night and I can assure you they were not all under the age of 10! For more information and to get tickets online, go to www.theanimalsgift.com. There is a two-for-one coupon on the site.

Good news for you budding potters out there! Thanks to Sunspace in Newcastle, The Gift of Art has some new windows and will now be able to offer pottery programs for your enjoyment! Kudos and thanks to Sunspace for their continued generosity and Clarington community spirit!

Christmas Spirit Alive & Well in Clarington!

A tip to of  the traditional Santa cap to Phoenix AMD International Inc. and their employees. Instead of having a staff Christmas party, the employees decided to donate a “heap of toys” to Clarington Emergency & Fire Services’ annual Christmas Toy Drive.

Toys collected and donated by Phoenix A.M.D. International!

Phoenix A.M.D. International Inc., is a privately operated company located in Bowmanville. It is one of North America’s leading value-added home furnishings protection and service specialists. Pictured, below,  with Chief Gordon Weir (middle) is Albert Marrache (President) and Dawn Rowe (Vice-President) of Phoenix A.M.D.

The toys have been given to the Salvation Army Family Services – Bowmanville for distribution to families who might not otherwise have a gift waiting for them under the tree.

Santa Hats off to the people of Phoenix A.M.D. International Inc. for their Christmas spirit!

Council Recognizes Kenneth Knox

On December 19, 2011, Clarington Council had the opportunity to recognize and congratulate Mr. Kenneth (Ken) W. Knox for his recent achievements.

Mayor Foster presents local farmer & innovator, Ken Knox with a certificate from Clarington Council recognizing his contribution to the promotion of agriculture in Ontario.

This past February during Winter Convocation Ceremonies, Mr. Knox was conferred a Honourary Doctorate by the Ontario Agricultural College of the University of Guelph. This  in recognition of his 28 years as a provincial public servant (including terms as Assistant Deputy Minister and Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs). He is also credited with assisting in the establishment of the Ministry of Energy in 1997.

In June of this year, Ken Knox was inducted into the Ontario Agriculture Hall of Fame.  To qualify for this prestigious recognition, candidates have demonstrated visionary leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship in the advancement of
agriculture in Ontario.  Ken’s work to develop an independent 4-H organization along with the creation of the
Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program are just a few examples of his unwavering dedication and determination to keep the value of agriculture in Ontario top of mind.

Ken is currently President and CEO of  the Innovation Institute of Ontario which is a not-for-profit business services provider supporting other not-for-profit organizations across the province and Canada. He is also the ever popular owner/operator of Knox Pumpkin Farm located just north of the Courtice community.

Clarington Recognized as a Difference Maker!

At the meeting of Council on December 5th, Mayor Adrian Foster informed Council that Clarington had been designated a Community Difference Maker by the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay organization.

Franklin Wu, Chief Administrative Officer for the Municipality of Clarington receives the award from Mayor Foster on behalf of the Clarington Rick Hansen Relay Team.

Congratulations to Clarington Team Members

Patti Barrie, Clarington Municipal Clerk
Sally Barrie, Durham Community Care – Clarington
Skip Crosby, Clarington Community Services Department
Ken Ferguson, Clarington Community Services Department
Cathy Abraham, Trustee, Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
Jennifer Stycuk, Clarington Communications & Tourism Office.

Rob Snoek, Georg Krohn and Gail Preston are also recognized and thanked for their work on the Selection Committee.