January 21, 2020: Mayor's Report

January 9th

The Mayor, Council and staff attended a Closed Meeting of Council for the purpose of a training session with the Integrity Commissioner

January 16th

I attended the Crowe Valley Conservation Authority regular meeting. The budget approval was deferred to February.

January 18th – 21st I attended the ROMA Conference in Toronto

I am on the Board of Directors.

January 18th – I attended the planning meeting to prepare for various meetings and delegations and to prioritize issues for the ongoing conference agenda

January 19th – I attended numerous presentations, concurrent and plenary sessions:

  • A round table with Minister Hardeman and Panel

  • Transportation in rural areas including the transport of hazardous waste

  • Lack of skilled trades and red tape restrictions for immigration

  • Broadband (super priority)

  • Lack of affordable housing particularly entry level supply

  • Asset Management

January 20th – Council made a delegation to the Right Honourable Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation, and her parliamentary staff to support our application for funding to make improvements to the Community Safety Zone in the Connecting Link. Rick Phillips, Warden of Hastings County attended to offer support for our project. A copy of the presentation is available here.

We were very encouraged, and we were advised to contact the MTO staff to have further consultation.

From Left: Marmora and Lake Councillors Ron Derry, Jason Carman, and Bernie Donaldson; the Right Honourable Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation; Mayor of Marmora and Lake, Jan O’Neill; and Hastings County Warden is Rick Phillips.

From Left: Marmora and Lake Councillors Ron Derry, Jason Carman, and Bernie Donaldson; the Right Honourable Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation; Mayor of Marmora and Lake, Jan O’Neill; and Hastings County Warden is Rick Phillips.

January 20th - Premier Ford, Minister Hardeman, Minister of Agriculture, Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor were some of the guest speakers.

Jim Pine C.A.O. Hastings County is the special adviser to the Minister of Health regarding Modernization of the Health Care System. There was a panel discussion and an opportunity to provide input to the ongoing consultations.

January 21st - I attended a meeting with ROMA Board members and all the Ministers. ROMA Board Members presented questions on key issues to draw their attention to the needs of rural Ontario particularly broadband, infrastructure, i.e., roads and bridges and stable funding from the Province to implement the changes being imposed by the provincial government.

Jennifer Bennett