Gravenhurst Mayors Minute - December 2014

DECEMBER 2014

Mayor Paisley Donaldson

The Mayor’s Minute Your 2014 -2018 Town Council

Photo: Front (l-r) Sandy Cairns; District Councillor, Paul Kelly; District Councilor, Mayor Paisley Donaldson; Jeff Watson; Ward 5, Erin Eiter; Ward 2.

Back (l-r) Bob Colhoun; Ward 3, Randy Jorgensen; Ward 4, Heidi Lorenz; Ward 1, Terry Pilger; District Councillor

Gravenhurst Town Council was

formally introduced during the 17th Inaugural Meeting, held Tuesday December 2, 2014 at the Gravenhurst Opera House.

Led by a Fred Schulz in highland dress playing the bagpipes, Mayor and Council entered the theatre to a full house of onlookers.

Dave Weldon, Town of Gravenhurst CAO gave a warm welcome to guests as he opened the session by introducing the newly elected Council of 2014-2018. Reverend Kathleen Mowat provided an Invocation followed next by Council taking their Administration Oath of Allegiance and Declaration of Office.

Mayor Paisley Donaldson stated during her inaugural address. “I am truly honoured to be addressing you tonight as your Mayor.

I am excited to start working with Council

to make the best possible decisions for Gravenhurst.” The Mayor noted that over the past four years, she has seen an incredible amount of change and growth and with that comes challenges and opportunities. “We are a community alive with spirit,” said the Mayor.

During the Inaugural meeting, Jeff Watson was named Deputy Mayor, while Randy Jorgenson was appointed Acting Mayor, Councillors were then named to their respective Boards and Committee, with which they Mayor Donaldson will serve.

The Mayor’s Minute The Town of Gravenhurst, 3-5 Pineridge Gate Gravenhurst, ON Canada P1P 1Z3

(705) 687-3412 www.gravenhurst.ca

The evening concluded with refreshments and a meet and greet with Council in the Trillium Court.

The full Town of Gravenhurst Inaugural Meeting Can be Viewed on Gravenhurst Youtube Channel.

Learn How You Can Become Gravenhurst’s Official Torchbearer!

The PanAm Torch is Coming to Gravenhurst this June!

We’re accepting Applications until January 20th, 2015

Visit: www.gravenhurst.ca

Upcoming Events Town Council Meeting 3pm - January 20 Family Day - February 16 Gravenhurst Winter Carnival- February 20-22

December 2014

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The Mayor’s Minute - Gravenhurst, ON

Grand Opening- Massage U - Downtown Gravenhurst

Emergency Planning

Mayor Donaldson and members of the Emergency Management Team huddle to prepare for a mock emergency.

Congratulations and welcome to Darren Wigginton, DOMP, RMT, CPT. Darren provides Osteopathy, Massage Therapy and Personal Training and is available at his studio at 140 Muskoka Road South Gravenhurst.

He also offers In-home visits. Find out more at www.massageumuskoka. com (705) 205- 1451 — at Massage U Muskoka.

FED-NOR Funding for Gravenhurst November 28, 2014

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our major funding announcements were announced by Tony Clement, Member of Parliament for Parry Sound-Muskoka on behalf of FedNor at the Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre (Grace and Speed) on November 28th.

Of those funding announcements; $78,750 will go towards the Muskoka Steamship and Historical Society towards developing a strategy for a major expansion of the Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre.

Explorer’s Edge, Regional Tourism Organization 12, also received FedNor funding totaling $47,500 for two projects in support of Golf Muskoka and Resorts of North Muskoka.

Mayor Donaldson acted as Master of Ceremonies

Additional funding totaling $193,750 will be allocated to the Township of Muskoka Lakes and the Town of Bracebridge for signage and youth interns.

Send Off For The Treasurer

Ken Watson & Val Sequeira

After 27 years of service to the Town of Gravenhurst, (all but six months) spent as the Town’s treasurer, Ken Watson retired on November 28 . During a transitional period, Val Sequeira was introduced to staff as the incoming Treasurer and Director of Corporate Services. On Wednesday December 3rd, a retirement celebration was held in Ken’s honour at Grace and Speed in Gravenhurst, where staff and colleagues had the opportunity to share stories and wish Ken and his wife Heather all the very best!

The Mayor’s Minute

T

he Emergency Management Program Committee recently met along with Mayor Paisley Donaldson and Jeff Watson, deputy mayor to participate in an Emergency Planning session at the Town Council chambers. The event was intended to review the Town’s current Emergency Plan, participate in a mock emergency scenario and hear from an emergency professional first hand who has dealt with a major emergency situation in her community.

“

One of the best lines of defense in preparing for an unexpected emergency or crisis is to have a plan in place and team who clearly understands their role in providing the best possible outcome,” said Larry Brassard, Gravenhurst fire chief, who led Cynthia Ross, Essa Fire Chief the presentation.

During the session Cynthia Ross, Essa Township Fire Chief, shared her community’s experience in dealing with a Tornado that touched down in June of 2014, which devastated the area. Chief Ross shared a step by step account of what happened and how her team responded to the emergency. To view the Town’s current Emergency Plan visit - www.gravenhurst.ca /Be Prepared

Century Old Quilt Unveiled at Town Hall

Mayor Donaldson was pleased to be a part of a repatriation ceremony of Gravenhurst’s 1915 World War I Quilt from France that once belonged to a Canadian soldier. The ceremony took place on Remembrance Day, November 11, at Town Hall. The quilt bears the names of 300 local families and will now be permanently on display at Gravenhurst Town Hall for public viewing.

Submit Community Events to our Online Calendar The Town of Gravenhurst, 3-5 Pineridge Gate www.gravenhurst.ca Gravenhurst, ON Canada P1P 1Z3 jOIN uS 2DAY!

Editor: jharnett@gravenhurst.ca

Happy New Year!