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From the October 16, 2008 Meeting of Regional Council
Governor General's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Exemplary Service Medal
Mr. John Prno, Director of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Waterloo Region and Chairman of the Governor General's Awards Committee on behalf of the Association of Municipal Emergency Services of Ontario (AMEMSO), presented Mr. Edward Levere of Fort Erie with the Governor General's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Exemplary Service Medal. The Governor General's EMS Exemplary Medal recognizes professionals in the provision of pre-hospital emergency medical services who performed their duties in an exemplary manner, characterized by good conduct, industry and efficiency. Awardees must have completed a minimum of twenty years of exemplary service with emergency medial services, of which ten were in the performance of duties involving potential risk. Mr. Levere was unable to attend the awards reception in London on September 25th. Mr. Levere completed 35 distinguished years of service as a Paramedic.
Smoke Free Champion Lifetime Award
Linda Rix, Manager, Tobacco Program, was presented with the Smoke Free Champion Lifetime Award. The award acknowledges her hard work, humour, creativity, sensibility and dedication to creating a positive work environment and her commitment to developing a tobacco-free Niagara.
T. Roy Adams Humanitarian of the Year Award
In honour of the memory of the late Councillor T. Roy Adams, the Niagara Region initiated a memorial award in 2003 in his name to honour a resident of Niagara who best exemplifies Roy's values and dedication to community service; a person who sees volunteerism as an integral part of their life. Councillor Rigby on behalf of this year's Adjudication Committee was pleased to announce that Jill and Gary Taylor of Niagara Falls as the T. Roy Adams Humanitarian of the Year Award recipients for 2008. Councillor Rigby, together with Chair Partington and Mayor Salci presented a plaque to the recipients, in recognition of their many years of volunteerism and fund raising for such organizations as the Tender Wishes Foundation; Ontario March of Dimes; the Peach Festival; Willoughby Fire Department; Chippawa Lions Cub; South Niagara Crisis Centre; and Salvation Army. Their names will be added to the large T. Roy Adams plaque that is located just outside the Council Chamber at the Niagara Region.
Corporate Employee Recognition Team (CERT) "Recognition of Excellence" Award Winners
Barb Dupont, Co-Chair, Recognition of Excellence Sub-Committee, Corporate Employee Recognition Team (CERT) was pleased to announce the following winners of Excellence Awards: A Customer Service Award was presented to Andrea Smith for her outstanding contribution to the promotion of substance abuse prevention. An Innovation Award was presented to Sandra Romagnoli for the outstanding contribution to increasing the awareness of clear language within her profession. Ms. Romagnoli led much of the work on provincial change regarding clear language through the RNAO website promoting health literacy. Ms. Dupont also announced that Sharon Bucsis, Doris Raby and Cindy Gage are to be honoured with "Regional Stars" to be presented to them at an appropriate occasion in the workplace. "Regional Stars" are presented to employees to recognize individual "deeds" or accomplishments that do not fall within the criteria for the Recognition of Excellence Awards. "Regional Stars" recognize specific individual acts by Regional employees that go "above and beyond" their responsibilities with the Region.
Nutritious Food Basket 2008
Committee received a report on the 2008 Nutritious Food Basket data and recommended that a letter be sent to the Ministry of Community and Social Services and Minister of Finance urging a further increase in social assistance rates, without increasing the municipal contribution, to ensure that all Ontarians have sufficient income to meet the basic needs of shelter and nutritious food. Report COM 54-2008/PHD 51-2008
Final Recommendation Report Wind Energy Policies (Revised) Regional Policy Plan Amendment 5-2007
Council approved, as amended, the final recommendation report DPD 13-2008 (Revised) regarding Wind Energy Policies, Regional Policy Plan Amendment 5-2007. The report sets out (revised) policies to guide various scales of wind energy development in Niagara.
Report DPD 13-2008 (Revised)
Smarter Niagara Incentives Program - Program Up-date and Renewing the Pilot Public Domain Incentives Program
Council approved the renewal of the Public Domain Incentives Program as a component of the Smarter Niagara Incentives Program. Success with the program in 2007 leveraged investment in Niagara Falls and Welland. Renewal of the program in 2008 will be an appropriate progression in the evolution and continuous improvement of the Smarter Niagara Incentives Program, and will support the Smarter Niagara objective to foster distinct, attractive communities with a strong sense of place.
Report DPD 42-2005/CSD 125-2008
Proposed Climate Change Action Work Plan
Council endorsed the proposed Climate Change Action Plan Work Program. The proposed plan responds to Council's Business Plan and Public Health's Strategic Plan. There have been coordinated efforts through the corporate Climate Change Start-Up Team to position the Region to take necessary actions to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to identify and address potential vulnerabilities resulting from a changing climate. Report PHD 49-2008/DPD 43-2008