Municipality launches parking study for downtown Kemptville

submitted by Jill Sturdy

The Municipality of North Grenville is conducting a Parking Study for Downtown Kemptville.

“Downtown Kemptville has so much to offer, with its unique local businesses and restaurants, waterfront access and Riverside Park, as well as being host to a number of community events such as Buskerfest and Old Town Christmas Promenade. We want to make it easier for people to keep coming back,” emphasized Mayor Nancy Peckford.

“Parking has been a key topic for residents and businesses, and this parking study will provide evidencebased analysis of parking downtown so residents and visitors feel welcome, and businesses can continue to grow and flourish,” added Deputy Mayor John Barclay.

A parking study for Downtown Kemptville was one of the recommendations from the Downtown Kemptville Community Action Plan (DKCAP).

The Parking Study will include quantitative and qualitative assessment of existing and forecast future conditions. This study will develop an understanding of parking utilization, identify periods of highest parking demands and present options to effectively manage parking such as time restrictions and private/public partnerships.

Consultation and engagement will begin Wednesday, July 26 with local businesses located in Downtown Kemptville, North Grenville Chamber of Commerce and the Old Town Kemptville Business Improvement Area.

Public Open House (Virtual) – Thursday, August 10, 2023

Residents have an opportunity to provide input at the virtual Open House on Thursday, August 10, 2023. Residents are encouraged to attend and provide insight to help identify current parking gaps in Downtown Kemptville.

To register for the August 10th virtual Open House, visit www.northgrenville.ca/projects and click on the Parking Study. A Zoom link will be sent to those who registered for the open house in the week leading up to the meeting.

For more information about the Parking Study in Downtown Kemptville, visit www.northgrenville.ca/ projects.

Downtown Kemptville Community Action Plan (DKCAP)

In 2021, Council approved the Downtown Kemptville Community Action Plan (DKCAP). The DKCAP outlines a set of financial incentives, planning tools, and updated processes and practices to enhance development downtown. The targeted goals focus on connectivity and people, aiming to encourage more development in Downtown Kemptville.

For more information on the Downtown Kemptville Community Action Plan (DKCAP) visit: https://www. northgrenville.ca/doing-business/funding

Municipal Office Hours

Visit our events calendar to find out what’s happening in the community: www.northgrenville.ca/events

Sign-up to receive Mayor Peckford’s e-newsletter at: northgrenville.ca/connect.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

COUNCIL MEETINGS

Please see the Council agenda for further details on how to participate in Council meetings. All Council meetings will be live streamed on YouTube at: youtube.com/user/NorthGrenville/featured and on the Municipality’s website at: www.northgrenville.ca/meetings.

To make a deputation in relation to an item on the agenda, please provide your comments no later than two hours prior to the start of the meeting to clerk@northgrenville.on.ca Council agendas are available at: www.northgrenville.ca/meetings.

• Friday, July 28, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. (Closed Session) – Catered Affairs

• Wednesday, August 9 at 6:30 p.m. (Open Session) – Virtual

COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Committees may be meeting in-person or virtually. Please see the Committee agenda for details on how to attend. Agendas can be found on the Municipal website at www.northgrenville.ca/meetings

• Environmental Action Advisory Committee – Monday, July 31, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

• Agriculture and Rural Affairs Advisory Committee – Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 4:15 p.m.

• Housing Advisory Committee – Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.

Volunteer And Employment Opportunities

Equipment Operator

The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill the position of Equipment Operator in the Public Works Department. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualification in confidence to Human Resources by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 4th, 2023.

Advisory Committees

Join the conversation regarding the community! The Municipality continues to accept applications for members to various advisory committees. Visit northgrenville.ca/committees for more information on how to apply. For questions, please contact the Clerk by email at clerk@northgrenville.on.ca or by telephone at 613-258-9569 ext 171

NORTH GRENVILLE IN BLOOM Garden of the Week Nominations

Congratulations Kaye for being nominated as our second Garden of the Week! We are so thrilled to congratulate the incredible Kaye from Oxford Mills, for her breath-taking gardens. One cannot help but marvel at the meticulous care and attention to detail Kay put into her garden. Every flower seems to have found its perfect place; every leaf perfectly tended to. It’s a sight to behold. Kaye has thoughtfully planted a variety of pollinator-friendly plants, inviting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to their garden. Congratulations again on this well-deserved recognition and thank you for sharing your extraordinary garden with us!

For more information about North Grenville in Bloom, visit our project page at northgrenville.ca/projects.

Community Improvement Plan

Financial incentives are available for businesses and property owners to continue the revitalization of Downtown Kemptville. As part of the Downtown Kemptville Community Improvement Plan, intake is now open for the following financial programs: Façade & Signage Grant, People Make the Place Grant, Building Fees Grant, and Tax-Increment Equivalent Residential Grant.

The Development Charges Exemption is still in place for downtown. Intake is on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. If you have questions or are looking to apply, please email vision@northgrenville.on.ca or call 613-258-9569 ext 177.

NG GREEN

NG Green Gift Card will be expiring on August 23, 2023. Don’t let the remaining value on your NG Green Gift Card go to waste! If you have any questions or require assistance email ecdev@northgrenville.on.ca or call 613-258-9569 ext. 153. Thank you for supporting local.

Beth Donovan Hospice springs into fundraising

submitted by Amy Tibben

Through generous community support, and a whole lot of fun, Beth Donovan Hospice was able to raise over $26,000 this spring. We would like to acknowledge the phenomenal support we have received from our community including the many businesses which have sponsored our efforts, the community members who donated, and the volunteers who worked so hard!

Taste for Hospice kicked off the spring fundraising initiative with a bang by raising $8,070 for hospice programs and services like equipment lending, in-home visiting, and day hospice. The evening was a complete taste experience involving local restaurants, bakeries, wineries, breweries, and distilleries which donated both their time and prod- ucts for the enjoyment of the 160 guests. Local bands Garrison Blues and 33 & 1/3 provided the entertainment for the evening. The festivities culminated in the crowning of Best Savoury to The Crusty Baker, Best Wine to Green Gables Vines, Best Distillery to King’s Lock, Best Brew to The Windmill Brewery, and Best Sweet to Wyngaarden Pastries. Thank you to all the food and drink vendors who shared their best with us!

When the weather warmed up, we hit the trails for Hike for Hospice at the Ferguson Forest Centre on May 28th. With perfect weather and a beautiful breeze to keep the bugs away, we gathered with a large group of hikers to enjoy a beautiful day on the trails. This year’s hike brought in $11,705! Thank you to all our sponsors

Tid bit musings

by Elva Patterson Rutters RSSW

It is often not what you say but the tone in which you communicate that becomes the issue or even the terminology that is questionable. What are you meaning to say? Can you spell it out more concretely? Are you sincere? Do you only hear what you want to hear?

The expression "sorry for your loss" often reflects on the passing of an individual. But in reality, is that person lost? Or would it be more accurate to say "my condolences” or “my sympathy." Loss infers the essence of someone/something valuable missing. You can lose your keys, the ball, the patience required or the marbles. You have no idea where to find them or how to relocate them. Depending on your faith, the passing of someone clearly defines where they are. Generally, you know they are in heaven or hell depending on their spiritual commitment, or in the case of scientology's beliefs, the individual has returned to the sanctity of the earth. When you say "sorry for your troubles", are you referring to the ingrown toenail, hemorrhoid or the passing of a loved one? Being specific helps identify the issue, and reflects your feelings pertaining to that passage of life. Often, being uncomfortable speaking of death, despite the fact that no one gets out of life alive, results in one being cumber-

3rd Merrickville Festival of the Arts

submitted by Nick Previsich

including Pet Valu, TD, Harvex Agromart, Leader Agriservices, JT Autoparts, Kemptville Fencing and Decks, Kemptville Windows and Kitchens, The Heat Source, Coba Studios, Brooks and Cryderman LTD, North Grenville Dairy Producers, Pink Soap Works, and Fast Eddies.

On Saturday, June 24th , we hosted the Seniors Expo at the North Grenville District High School. Through sponsorship, the sale of vendor tables and generous community donations, we were able to raise $6,345 for hospice programs. We must thank our wonderful sponsors for their generous support: Gravitate Travel, TLC Medical Supply, Alltec Solutions, Tierny Stauffer Lawyers, Hulse, Playfair, and McGarry, McDougall Brown Insurance Brokers. We’d also like to thank the following supporters: North

Grenville Times, Moose FM, Municipality of North Grenville, Upper Canada District School Board, and O’Farrell Financial Services. Finally, we must acknowledge our amazing Kemptville Lions who donated $1,250!

The amazing support we receive from our community means that we can continue to support individuals at end of life, their caregivers, and those who are grieving. Thank You! Please visit our website for a complete list of programs at www.bethdonovanhospice.ca some in what we say.

As recommended in public speaking and communication techniques, we should think of what we desire to say and practice how we can convey our message without being obscure or insecure. Insincerity at any time is as painful as any physical punch would be. Trust your instincts and remember that the tongue is kept behind two lips and a set of teeth, while a set of ears is on the outside of our head ready to listen. Sometimes saying nothing rather than placating the individual is the best move. Your response may mean the world to someone - whisper gently!

The community of Merrickville-Wolford is delighted to host the 3rd Merrickville Festival of the Arts on July 29-30, 2023 at the beautiful Blockhouse Park on the banks of the Rideau River adjacent to the historic Rideau Canal locks. This is a collaborative effort involving The Merrickville Organization for Culture and the Arts (MOCA), the Merrickville Arts Guild (MAG) and Theatre Night in Merrickville (TNIM). This year, we have added a number of exciting new musical performances by local and area musicians. Of special note will be an evening concert on the 29th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM by Arbour Season. In addition to viewing the beautiful art produced by 30 MAG artists, you will also be able to hear thought-provoking poetry by the Merrickville Rogue Poets and TNIM’s delightful one-act play, “The Green Thumb Gang”.

Merrickville-Wolford has a well-deserved reputation for being a community that supports and appreciates the arts in its many forms. We will be putting our best foot forward to welcome you to the 3rd Merrickville Festival of the Arts. Admission is free to all!

For additional information, please contact Nick Previsich at 613 355-3488 or at: nprevisich@bell.net.