Cornwall City Council passes budget

from Cornwall Seaway News February 2, 2022 Edition

Members of Cornwall City Council voting on the 2022 budget.

Cornwall City Council passes budget; tax rate increase of 2.9 per cent South Stormont Council receives blue box update

NICK SEEBRUCH

nseebruch@seawaynews.media

CORNWALL, Ontario - Cornwall City Council passed the 2022 municipal budget at a special meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 26 with a tax rate increase of 2.9 per cent or $78.03 for a home valued at 176,907 for a total average residential tax bill of 2,769.06 for 2022.

Council had been facing an increase of 3.59 per cent, but much of that was reduced by budget items that were removed by administration including $2.7 million for redoing the patio and front steps of the Cornwall Civic Complex, $650,000 for a splashpad at Menard Park, $275,000 to redo the Aquatic Centre Splashpad and more.

Over two days, the City’s operating and capital projects budget were presented by administration to Council, at the end of which Councillor Elaine MacDonald immediately moved to see the budget approved without further changes from Council.

“I vote we adopt the budget as presented. It is a fair budget that meets our obligations,” MacDonald said. “We are adding progressive features to life in Cornwall and that we can do it for a 2.9 per cent increase is a tribute to administration.” Councillor Claude McIntosh pointed out that many municipalities across Ontario were seeing budget increases of three per cent or more and he challenged his colleagues to find places to cut.

“I have no problem with 2.9. I’m not going to do a victory lap or anything. It is an inflationary budget,” he said. See the full story at www.cornwallseawaynews.com NICK LAURIN

SOUTH STORMONT, Ontario - On January 26, 2022 - The Township of South Stormont received an update on provincial changes across Ontario regarding the Blue Box program during their regular council meeting.

The Blue Box program is a waste management system used by Canadian municipalities to collect, and separate household waste materials for the purpose of recycling.

‘’When we did a tour of the GFL plant, I don’t know about everybody else, but I was amazed that they were able to turn all those plastics into actual fertilizer for resale. It just

astonished me, I think it’s a great thing coming down the pipeline’,’ said Deputy Mayor Smith. The update given to the Township was about making producers responsible for the collection, reuse, refurbishment, and recycling of blue box materials. The Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority (RPRA) oversees enforcing these new changes to the program. Producers must meet recycling targets and register with the RPRA to receive collections. This change of responsibility to producers will be effective in Stormont and SDG as of January 1, 2025.

”Betty White Challenge” raises $4,720 for SD&G OSPCA

NICK SEEBRUCH

nseebruch@seawaynews.media

CORNWALL, Ontario - The Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry branch of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) has announced that they received $4,720 in donation in connection with the Betty White Challenge.

The challenge began to circulate online as a way to pay tribute to the late American actor Betty White. White, who’s well know for her roles as Sue-Ann Nivens in The Mary Tyler Moore Show and later as Rose Nylund in Golden Girls, passed away on Dec. 31, 2021, just a few weeks short of what would

National Cupcake Day photo submitted by the OSPCA. have been 100th birthday. See the full story at www.cornwallseawaynews.com

Glaucoma: what you need to know

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in Canada, affecting some 300,000 people. It’s been nicknamed the “silent thief of sight,” as noticeable symptoms often don’t appear until vision loss has already begun. However, the subject merits some attention, especially on the part of older Canadians, as the risk of being affected by glaucoma increases with age.

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye diseases that result in damage to the optic nerve, a part of the eye that carries visual information from the retina to the brain. Primary open-angle glaucoma is by far the most common type. This disease occurs when the eye no longer drains properly. The resulting back up of aqueous fluid, the fluid that hydrates the eyes, puts pressure on the optic nerve.

As mentioned, Glaucoma doesn’t typically present symptoms. It develops gradually and painlessly. The first noticeable symptom is the loss of peripheral vision. But as this occurs progressively, it can in fact go unnoticed for a long time.

Diagnosing and treating

glaucoma: If it’s diagnosed early on, treatments involving medication, eye drops or laser surgery can generally prevent further vision loss. If left untreated, permanent vision loss is likely to occur. Eye doctors are able to check eye pressure and perform other tests to diagnose glaucoma, even when it’s at its earliest stages. For this reason, regular checkups with an eye doctor are the best defence against this disease. If you’re over the age of 40, you should get a complete eye exam every one to two years. Riverfront Retirement Centre offers complete retirement living and you will feel safe living here. We comply with government recommended health measures. Waterfront Apartments available along with private suites and apartments. Plus much much more.

Call Us today for information and to discuss your needs and concerns Brian Kennedy GM 613-938-3535 x 296 1810 Montreal Road, Cornwall riverfrontretirement.ca 337167

Cornwall City Council passes budget

Members of Cornwall City Council voting on the 2022 budget.