Tid bit musings

by Elva Patterson Rutters RSSW

“People came out in droves to support us because they know we should be doing better by families and children. We voted for this deal because we want to be there for those who need us, but we are going to keep organizing and keep the pressure on to make sure we have the resources we need to support families.”

The deal includes a 6.75 per cent wage increase over the life of the contract, which runs until 2024, and an increased gas allowance from 52 cents to 58 cents for 2024.

“The issue which caused the greatest stir in the meeting, though, was workload,” reads a press release sent to the Times. “Workload triggers – the number of cases members can have before a meeting is automatically set with their manager to review their case burden – was lowered by one, a move that Carrier says will only begin to alleviate member burnout and improve the quality of services families receive.”

Picket lines remained up until the ratification vote at 10am on August 2. The employer still needed to ratify the agreement after it was ratified by workers. As of the time of writing, CUPE 2577 members were expected to be back to work by August 8.

Municipal Office Hours

The Municipal office is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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.

• Tuesday, September 5 at 7:00 p.m. (Open Session) – South Gower Pavilion

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

• Health, Wellness and Fitness Advisory Committee – Monday, August 14, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

• Indigenous Advisory Circle – Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.

• Environmental Action Advisory Committee – Monday, August 28, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

• Arts and Culture Advisory Committee – Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.

VOLUNTEER AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Engineering Technologist – Water Wastewater

The Municipality of North Grenville is seeking to fill the position of Engineering Technologist in the Public Works Department with Water Wastewater. Interested applicants may submit a cover letter and resume outlining qualification in confidence to Human Resources by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 1, 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

COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN

When do you "rest on your laurels?" What does that phrase mean? Is it ever wise to rest on your laurels? What if resting on your laurels results in stagnant development and redundant service quality.

Resting on your laurels infers that you are satisfied with your achievement and basically you stop putting forth an effort to improve, grow or develop in any manner. Retirement is sometimes synonymous with that reference since performance reviews are no longer a milestone of measurement. However, with retirement at earlier ages, and at maximum of one's health, there are many opportunities to apply your skills and attributes in other avenues such as volunteering, sitting on boards, advocating, and maintenance of relationships. With constant advancement of technology there is no time to rest on your laurels.

Having family also means no resting on your laurels as relationships require constant change in understanding, development and growth. Just take a moment to reflect on how often you required a child to "fix" the remote!!! Abandonment of family comes back to bite you. There is no one more special than your family. The word "toxic" is a scapegoat phrase for saying "I can't be bothered." Active abuse is not acceptable so safety is paramount. Don't rest on your laurels, but open up the dialogue. If the other person is closed then that is their issue. Rest on your laurels that when God questions you on judgement day, your response will be, "I tried my best."

Agencies and businesses that celebrate their milestones either go dormant and wither away, or continue to build upon the strengths and opportunities to flourish in progressive in-roads. When the personal touches are negated by use of technology, something vital is lost. Yes hospitals have so much on computers, robotic surgeries, My chart, etc. but when a patient can't get a towel/washcloth to wash their face, did someone simply rest on their laurels? Did the baby get thrown out with the bath water? When personnel hold others hostage by saying that they will report to work if paid three times their salary, is that not similar to gas stations that upped their prices during the ice storm of 98? Are we as a society so self-indulgent that we don't have many laurels to rest on?

May you take a moment to rest on your laurels but continue to grow and develop to stay abreast of today's world but NEVER forget the humanity that makes the community flourish. Your part is vital- don't underestimate your value!

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.

The Municipality of North Grenville 285 County Rd. 44, PO Box 130 , Kemptville, ON K0G 1J0 Tel: 613-258-9569 Fax: 613-258-9620 general@northgrenville.on.ca www.NorthGrenville.ca

Building: 613-258-9569 x130 Fax: 613-258-1441

Fire Services Info: 613-258-9569 x201 Fax: 613-258-1031

By-Law Services: email: bylawinquiries@northgrenville.on.ca 613-258-9569 x211

Police Administration: 613-258-3441 Animal Control: 613-862-9002