The Township of Whitewater Region held its Regular Council Meeting on November 2nd at 4:45 pm at the Municipal Town Hall in Cobden.
The Council held a moment of silence “in recognition of November 11.”
There were no notices of motion.
“I want to thank everybody, I’ve enjoyed my time here and I wish the new Council, I’m only saying positive things, I’m never gonna say a bad thing about Council, I’m loyal.” Dave Mackay, who would not be returning as Councillor, said.
“I’d certainly like to thank everyone, Council, but also staff. I’m proud to say that I was a Council.” Councillor Charlene Jackson said. “While I will miss the camaraderie, I certainly won’t miss a lot of things. I wish Council well, I certainly hope they don’t have to deal with the same turmoil we did.”
Mayor Mike Moore announced the Beachburg Lion’s Club pancake breakfast, 7:30 to 10:30 am. on Saturday, November 5, and the Beachburg Remembrance Day Service would be held on Sunday, November 6th at the Cenotaph at 2pm.
He said it was the final Council meeting for the current members, who would be replaced with the newly elected members at the next meeting.
“I would like to begin by saying it’s been a great privilege for me to be given the opportunity to serve Council.” he said. “Looking back on the past four years, it’s been exceptionally busy. We had to deal with the rapid succession of important events and situations, many of which are still unfolding. Indeed, for me, it’s been a most eventful period throughout, at times challenging, but on the whole most rewarding. In face of crisis and situations, Council has shown where there is a unity of purpose and strive for consensus, we’ve had the capacity to act to address these situations in a timely and constructive manner. But still, we need to do more – more will come up eventually.”
“Our engagement must be more than just a one-off exercise. We need to ensure that common resolve that we have expressed are followed up by concrete actions so as to produce meaningful actions on the ground, to make a difference in the lives of people, our people, in need of protection.”
Thank you to all those who ran for office, for their willingness to work on behalf of the full understanding and implications of such a commitment. Let us now come together for betterment of the Township and work together to ensure the Township of Whitewater Region is a home choice and not just a place to relocate.
We need a collective sense of goodwill and progressive ideas to grow and thrive.
For those who will not be returning,thank you for your dedication of time that you have provided to the Township. You have more than earned a break, but we still need you. Please continue to give us the benefit of your wisdom and experience and support.
To those who are returning and newly elected Mayor and council members, thank you for the willingness to serve in what you are about to undertake. More than once, we have shown that we share many common values and we come together for the common good. We have the courage to resist and pressure to make decisions because of special interests or the loudest voice,and as history has taught us, sometimes even the majority is wrong. Let Whitewater Region be the Township that sets the standard for collaboration, cooperation, civility, and making good decisions.
Let me conclude on a note of thanks. I would like to express my gratitude for the members of Council: Reeve Regier, Neil Nicholson, Chris Olmstead, Charlene Jackson, Daryl McLaughlin, and Dave Mackay, for the great teamwork and for their invaluable support and advice throughout.
My appreciation also goes to the Whitewater Region Staff whose efforts every day, day in and day out, keep the wheel turning smoothly most days. Most importantly, I would like to thank all constituents for their confidence and trust that you have placed in me and has been my privilege and honour to have worked closely with all of you throughout the years.”
“Thank you and God bless.”
Mayor Moore asked if there was anything the Council needed to do regarding correspondence from the Renfrew County District Health unit.
“The Renfrew Country District Health Unit is closing the Renfrew Office, they’re looking at an alternative right now, that’s about all we know at this time.”
“Alternative meaning what?” Mayor Moore asked. “Staying in Renfrew, or…?”
“I don’t know anything at this time.” Reeve Regier said.
“It’s all just starting to happen now, is it?” Mayor Moore said. “because we did receive an email from a neighboring deputy mayor.”
“There is nothing that we have to do at this time, there is nothing the County of Renfrew has to do at this time.” Regier said. “It’s strictly the RCDHU, it’s a decision being made through them, through a vote.”
“There is no action on our part at this time.”
“No, there is not.” Regier said.
Councillor Neil Nicholson commented on the correspondence, the More Homes Built Faster. “I know Ivan acting as our planner isn’t here tonight, but I just want to make sure that we can learn more about how this impacts us. Because the information the media is releasing is more generic for urban centers and how it may affect the rural settings and building in our rural areas. If Sean [Crozier] wouldn’t mind taking a note for Ivan, there’s got to be some context for preparing on other municipalities and maybe we can piggyback with some of them to get a summary.”
Councillor Dave Mackay asked if this had to do with the removal of lot levies.
“They’re trying to make it easier for contractors to build housing for lower income, and they want the municipalities to go ahead, but yet we’re not receiving any information on that, we’re hearing that from the press.” Mayor Moore said. “Most of the time, this come through the County, most times small municipalities don’t deal with housing.”
“It has nothing to do with housing.” Councillor Jackson corrected the Mayor. “This allows a third unit to be added to a house, it has nothing to do with socialized housing.”
“That’s good news, we need more of that in our municipality.” Mayor Moore said.
The meeting adjourned at 5:05pm.
