Council thanks Steve Wood At the beginning of the February 18 Assiginack council meeting, Reeve Brad Ham called up long-time public works employee Steve Wood to publicly thank him for his 25 years of dedicated service to his department. Reeve Ham presented Mr. Wood with a certificate, acknowledging this milestone.
Clerk’s notes
Clerk-treasurer Alton Hobbs told council that Genivar Engineering, the lead on the Cardwell Street reconstruction project, would be attending the March 23 meeting to discuss the first steps of the much-anticipated road reconstruction and its tendering process.
Mr. Hobbs also noted that council meeting agendas and agenda packages can all be found online at the municipal website, www.assiginack.ca, the day of the meetings, with the minutes posted the following day.
OPP priorities in Assiginack
Councillor Leslie Fields reminded council that Staff Sergeant Detachment Commander Kevin Webb has asked all of the municipalities to list their top three priorities for policing in the municipalities. Council’s list, in no particular order, is: higher visibility over all seasons throughout the entire municipality; the uploading of policing costs to the provincial level; and a review of the mandate of the Community Policing Advisory Committee on Manitoulin.
Assiginack going viral
Council was pleased to see a report on the Assiginack website and blog from events coordinator Jackie White. Ms. White said that the website is averaging between 20 and 30 hits each day with about 20 hits a day on the blog. When the post about the new sliding hill went up, she explained, the blog saw 80 ‘hits.’
To date, the website has had over 600 page views.
Councillor Fields said she has heard good things from the community about the website and blog.
Appointment to museum board
Assiginack council passed a motion to accept Lisa Hallaert for a position on the Assiginack Museum board.
Reeve Ham thanked Ms. Hallaert for her efforts on the Assiginack Family Fun Day, which was a great success with families participating in the outdoor events from across Manitoulin.
Public works superintendent Ron Cooper said the positive response he heard from families was overwhelming.
Beautification accepted
A letter from Assiginack Horticultural Society Secretary Sandra Pope was received by council, requesting assistance from the municipality to purchase plants and to maintain the flowerbeds and barrels around the community.
Motion carried.
Letter of support
Dave McDowell of the Manitoulin Livestock Exchange (MLE) wrote to council requesting a letter of support as the MLE applies to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and FedNor for funding assistance to create an indoor sales ring and farmers’ market.
“Our current livestock sales have been encouraging and we would like to take the next step and build a building so that weather does not impact the success of sales,” he writes.
“It’s nice to see the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well on Manitoulin,” Reeve Ham said.
Council passed a motion to provide a letter of support for the MLE.
DSB surplus
Council received a cheque earlier this month from the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board in the amount of $7,154.11—Assiginack’s share of the 2012 municipal surplus.
