May 1 meeting
New docks coming to Spider Bay
Council began its May 1 regular meeting of council by approving a tender from Kroft for dock replacements for Spider Bay Marina, not to exceed $170,223, including HST.
Landfill committee gains new members
Council approved two members to the Landfill Citizens Liaison Committee: Sean O’Hare of Little Current and Kevin Mishibinijima of Sheguiandah First Nation (the community uses the Northeast Town landfill).
Councillor Marcel Gauthier said Mr. O’Hare is keen on recycling and thought he would be a good asset to have on the committee.
Mr. O’Hare and Mr. Mishibinijima will be joining Rob Norris and Floyd Lockeyer on the citizens’ group.
Donations galore
Once again, the Northeast Town received a letter from Little Current Lions Club President Bruce Burnett with regard to Haweater Weekend and requesting from council: use of the Lions Pavilion at Low Island and ball fields, the beach volleyball court, soccer field, the closure of the main street from Friday through Sunday and use of the Post Office parking lot.
New this year, the president noted, will be a craft brewing festival, the Carver Kings, parasailing and much more.
Council approved the request.
Council also received a letter from the Rainbow Country Cruisers Car Club asking for street closure of Water Street East on Saturday, August 4 for the annual Haweater Cruise-In, as well as a donation of $200.
Council approved the requests.
Council received yet another funding request, this time from the Little Current United Church Outreach Committee, asking for council to considering waiving the rental fee (to the tune of $480) for a musical evening in November to raise funds toward the Manor’s ‘Another Step Forward’ campaign to replace aging flooring at the Manor.
Councillor Dawn Orr suggested donating the $480 to the outreach committee, but Councillor Bill Koehler said he would not support it and suggested $200 to help “pay down the rental.”
“I have a problem with that because just a little while ago we donated $1,200 to an organization to put on a show,” Councillor Orr said. “It benefits us all. I’m sorry, but I’m going to stick to my guns.”
Councillor Melissa Peters said she would support forgiving the $480, “because it’s a volunteer group working toward a volunteer goal and that should be encouraged.”
“Since the money is going to the Manor, it benefits us,” said Councillor Michael Erskine. “The more that’s raised through fundraisers, the better off we are.”
Councillor Orr asked for a recorded vote, which went as follows: councillors voting for: Michael Erskine, Dawn Orr, Melissa Peters, Marcel Gauthier, Paul Skippen, Bruce Wood and Mayor Al MacNevin. Councillors voting against: Bill Koehler and Laurie Cook.
The motion was carried.
The Manitoulin Navy League also submitted an annual request for donation, with council donating $200 to the group.
“I think this is something that’s very beneficial to our town,” Councillor Gauthier said, calling it a “very good cause.”
On a roll, council also donated $200 to Jillian Peltier for her annual Mackenzie’s Run and Walk for CHEO (the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario) to be held July 14 at Low Island Park.
Museum Minutes
Councillor Gauthier gave the Centennial Museum of Sheguiandah report. He said there is discussion of changing the format of the annual roast beef dinner. He also noted that the new flooring “looks great.”
Councillor Gauthier said long-time chair Pat Julig is looking to step down effective the next meeting of the committee.
Manor Minutes
Councillor Dawn Orr reported that the Manor has a new Director of Care at the Manor. “She seems very excited to be there,” she said.
Councillor Orr noted that the Another Step Forward fundraising campaign has so far brought in $6,000.
Councillor Skippen asked what the goal is. Councillor Orr replied that it is $70,000.
“People are already interested in the Tree of Lights,” Councillor Orr enthused.
Councillor Gauthier noted the “excellent work” Northeast Town employee Heidi Ferguson is doing with helping the Manor with funding applications.
“Wendy (Gauthier) does an awesome job, as Marcel knows,” Councillor Orr added.
Community Policing
Councillor Bruce Wood gave council an overview of his last meeting with the Community Policing Advisory Committee. Councillor Wood said he asked Staff Sergeant Webb about the break and enters in Little Current with the staff sergeant noting that the perpetrators were caught. He also spoke to the committee of the recent spate of incidents in Sheguiandah.
Councillor Wood said the staff sergeant also spoke of the Town of Espanola moving to OPP policing of the town which, the committee was told, will be a good thing.
“I’m happy to see notification went out to beef up Little Current patrols,” Councillor Cook said.
Councillor Gauthier asked if the Bridal Veil falls roadside ticketing (for cars parking along Highway 540 in that community) that will soon happen will be precedent-setting for Cup and Saucer roadside parking. It was noted that in Billings’ case, a driver must be in the vehicle to receive a ticket.
CAO Dave Williamson explained that this differs as the Bridal Veil Falls portion of road is a municipal issue while the Cup and Saucer is on the highway and therefore a provincial issue.
Councillor Wood explained that it’s been a struggle in Billings as to who should oversee the illegally parked vehicles, the OPP or the municipality.
