Originally written for Port Rowan Good News during Noel Haydt’s 2014–2018 term as Ward 1 Councillor. Published here from the original archived document; spelling and wording have been preserved.
Canada Day in Port Rowan was a huge success. I am happy to say that I spent Canada Day in Port Rowan and had a fantastic time. The Musical Medley in the park was a great showing of local talent and had something for everyone. The park was full. The Long Point Lions were in attendance and provided free hotdogs for everyone. I also attended the festivities at the Port Rowan Legion, and it too was a full house. The Legion provided a great band, more free hotdogs and everyone was in great spirits. It was great to see so many people, locals and tourists alike, stay in Port Rowan to enjoy the shows. Our volunteers outdid themselves this year and I appreciate all of the hard work everyone put in to these events. We are very lucky to have such a strong sense of community.
On Saturday July 7th, Backus Heritage Village helped give Port Rowan even more international recognition. The Backus Team and our Community successfully broke the Guinness World Record for the longest picnic table. There was a tremendous turn out and the record was broken by approximately 3 ft. The team at Backus really should be commended for their hard work. They brought in the tables from all over the county, put in months of planning and brought in enough people to make the record happen. The staff did a great job ensuring the grounds were well manicured and ready for such an event. For those who stayed later, there was also a show by Lucas Wilson, another Guinness Record holder. It makes me wonder if Norfolk County could become the County holding the most records.
Much to my, and many others’ dismay, the cost of holding tank pump outs is going to increase January 1st , 2018. Despite trying to put forward other options of looking at our water and wastewater as a whole unit, to avoid this dilemma, the increase was passed. This is going to have a serious affect on pump out prices and I will continue to look at potential solutions, however, at this point the most important thing to be done is voice your opinions to the Mayor and other councilors. Providing suggestions and alternative options could lead to the decision being overturned. The water and waste water rate supported budget comes before council on December 5th this year. You have your opinion heard by emailing the following email address: DL-mayorandcouncillors@norfolkcounty.ca
Over the past couple of years the county and local Internet Service Providers have been working hard to bring fibre optic internet options to our area. The process has lead to a joint effort between Norfolk County, Execulink and Kwic and is now underway. I am happy to have been part of the Committee in charge of putting everything together and we have had several other ISP’s coming forward with their proposals to extend more high speed internet across Norfolk County. I promised during the election that I would make internet a priority and I am. We still have work to do, but it is making progress. I’m hopeful that the new fibre build will be complete by the end of summer.
When Hydro One purchased Norfolk Power, the $67 million dollars was placed into a Legacy Fund with a stipulation that only the interest from the investment could be spent. Of the interest of approximately $3 million, $2 million has been set aside for capital projects to offset some of the debt funding that is currently being used. There was a management committee of 2 councilors and the mayor who reviewed the investment’s and made recommendations to council on what to do with the rest. I moved a motion last week that all of council have a say when it comes to the excess fund spending and to have that discussion in the public view. It’s the public’s money and should be managed in open session only and the majority of council agreed.
I have also heard from many residents regarding the ombudsman’s investigation regarding the closed door sessions that council has. Many feel that council deals with too many issues behind closed doors and I can tell you that I did not attend the meeting on the recent municipal act contravention as reported by the ombudsman. I excused myself as I felt it should have been dealt with in public.
I recently put forward a motion for Norfolk County to address the erosion issue that Long Point has been experiencing by implementing a Shoreline Protection Plan. I feel that this is different than a Shoreline Management Plan because an SMP has the option of ‘do-nothing’ and I don’t feel that this should be an option. Cottage owners need the ability to protect their properties. I wish that I could say that this would solve all the issues but it will not. The high water in Lake Erie and record rainfall this year can certainly cause havoc especially with the fall season yet to come. I also feel that Norfolk County is negligent in its duty to protect the tax payers owned assets. County owned lots on Hastings Drive are causing erosion hazards for neighbouring property owners as well as creating an unsafe road condition, which if worsened could strand people. When the storm came in 1985 that caused damage to Hastings Drive, the County made the decision to temporarily recreate the road. This has never been addressed since and should be as it encroaches onto people’s private property. By not addressing the erosion concern on the public lots, County is allowing an asset to simply wash away. That’s not something any home owner would allow and neither should we.
While I did not receive support at Council for the Protection Plan, it was referred to the LPRCA. The board of the LPRCA saw fit to take immediate action to allow property owners to protect their properties by passing a resolution to expedite shoreline protection permits.
In the 1989 shoreline management plan it stated the Norfolk County needed an emergency plan to address access/egress during flooding in Long Point and Turkey Point but this was never done. I’m happy to say that a draft plan is now being reviewed by the Province after Norfolk staff and LPRCA staff worked together to complete this task. Having this plan in place will help move the development process forward in a timely fashion.
In recognition of the 150th birthday of Canada, the Long Point Region Conservation Authority is proud to be presenting NORfolktales of Land and Lake, a youth and community-based outdoor theatre production at Backus Heritage Conservation Area on August 17, 18, 19 & 20. This outdoor live production is a celebration of Norfolk’s rich heritage and culture and is sure to put a smile on faces young and old. For more information, please visit the LPRCA webpage http://lprca.on.ca Shows start at 7:30 each evening. I hope to see you there.