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From the November 6, 2008 Meeting of Regional Council
Remember National Child Day on November 20th
It is a day to remember that children need love and respect to grow to their full potential. It is a day to marvel at their uniqueness and all they have to offer. It is a day to celebrate the family and think about how adults affect the development of children close to them. National Child Day is about celebrating children in our community. These children are active citizens who can and should meaningfully contribute to decision-making as we create a Niagara fit for children. They are our future!
Niagara 1812 Bicentennial Update
Regional Council received a presentation updating them on the activities of the Niagara 1812 Legacy Council and Regional Council referred the presentation on Niagara 1812 Bicentennial - Update to staff and requested that staff work together with the Legacy Council, Mr. Del Buono, CEO to establish a shared service agreement that will be mutually beneficial to Niagara, Ontario, Canada as well as across the border.
Fourth Annual National Child Day Poetry Celebration
The Children's Rights Interest Group of Niagara recently held the fourth Annual National Child Day Poetry Celebration, and the second Annual Poster Celebration as a lead up to National Child Day on November 20th, 2008. This year, Niagara students in kindergarten through grade 3 were asked to create a poster to express their imagination on the theme entitled Being Free from Harm: Our Right to Protection. Students in grades 4 through 8 were asked to share their insight into this year's theme with a poem.
Being Free from Harm: Our Right to Protection places emphasis on the importance of shielding children from adversities such as discrimination, abuse and neglect, abandonment and child labour. The theme was taken with permission from the booklet "Say It Right: The Unconventional Canadian Youth Edition of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child".
Four students were in attendance at Regional Council on November 6th to share their National Child Day poems: Ashley Rumbolt, Grade 7, Lakeview Public School, Grimsby read her poem entitled Will They Remember Me?; Alisen Stewart, Grade 7, Lakeview Public School, Grimsby read her poem; Johnathan Rusenstrom, Grade 6, St. Theresa School, St. Catharines read his poem entitled Being Free From Harm: Our Right to Protection and Carolyn Oatley, Grade 8, Bertie Public School (Ridgeway)
2008 Assessment Update
Regional Council received a presentation updating them on the 2008 Assessment. The 2008 Assessment Update cycle will encompass the 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 taxation years. The legislative changes in affect changed the assessment cycle from annually to a four-year-cycle beginning the 2009 tax year (based on a January 1, 2008 valuation date); assessment increases are phased in over four years with decreases implemented immediately; the phase-in of assessment will apply to all property classes; the request for reconsideration deadline is March 31st of the current taxation year beginning in 2009; the requests for reconsideration process is a mandatory first stage of the assessment appeal process for Residential, Farm and Managed Forest property classes; the onus of proof for appeals regarding value is reversed.
To assist taxpayers, the AboutMyProperty tool on the www.mpac.ca website has also been redesigned to support the delivery of the 2008 Assessment Update; the local assessment offices will be open extended hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and open houses have been scheduled in Niagara-on-the-Lake on December 1, 2008; Grimsby on December 2, 2008; Fort Erie on December 4, 2008 and Pelham on December 10, 2008 from Noon to 8 p.m.
Smarter Niagara Incentives Local and Regional Partnerships Approved
Council approved the implementation of the Smarter Niagara Incentives Local and Regional Partnerships for the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake "old Town Vision and Dock Area Secondary Plan'; the City of St. Catharines "Strategic Vision for the Downtown'; and the City of Thorold 'Downtown Architectural Façade Design'
Reports DPD 47-2008, DPD 48-2008 and DPD 49-2008
Potential Reductions in the Industrial Portion of the Business Education Tax to be Pursued
Council received a report that outlined the potential reductions in the industrial portion of the Business Education Tax and authorized staff to work with the Regional Chair to actively pursue these reductions through discussions with the Province and the organization of a delegation to meet with the Minister of Finance and Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to accelerate these reductions.
Report CSD 139-2008
Remembrance Day in Pelham
Remembrance Day festivities in Pelham will be a very special occasion, not only will it be the 90th Anniversary of the end of the First World War, but the Veteran's Park will be officially dedicated at the cenotaph immediately following the Legion's Remembrance Day service at 11 a.m. on November 11. Nearly 600 veterans, families, individuals, schools, businesses, and service clubs have purchased and engraved bricks with the Veteran's name, rank, branch of service, and the words "Lest We Forget" with a red poppy from the Pelham Veteran's Park committee and donated $120,000 to beautify the cenotaph.