Government > Council

Volume 16, Issue 4

From the March 20, 2008 Meeting of Regional Council

Niagara 1812 Bicentennial
Dr. Rosemary Hale, Co-Chair, Culture Committee and Chair, Bi-Centennial Committee, together with Patrick Robson, Director, Community Integration, provided Regional Council with an overview of the Niagara 1812 Bicentennial Project. The Legacy Council was formed to oversee the planning process with a working group consisting of Canadian and U.S. representatives providing ongoing support for the planning and coordination of 1,000 days of celebration. In October 2007 the Legacy Council was organized into Communications, Education, Marketing and Promotion, Funding and Logistics Committees, each with near term, mid-term and long term action plans. The first official meeting of the Legacy Committee as a duly constituted corporation was January 28, 2008 with the launch of the Legacy Council and a public information session at Shaw Festival on February 19, 2008.

The Legacy Council's objectives are:

  • To establish and operate an organization to coordinate and facilitate the numerous events that will be undertaken by a broad range of community stakeholders in this bi-national region and
  • To coordinate between sites and activities to maximize opportunities associated with the commemoration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812

The presenters thanked Regional Council for their support as the Planning and coordinating of 1,000 Days of Celebration is a significant undertaking and the leadership being shown by Regional Council is a clear recognition of Niagara's role in nation-building (being the key theatre for War of 1812) and the geographic interface for ensuing 200 Years of Peace.
(Report CAO 3-2008, March 12, 2008)

2007 and 2008 Think and Drive Region-Wide Road Safety Campaign Update
Council received a report regarding the Niagara Think and Drive Region-Wide Road Safety Campaign. The Regional Niagara Road Safety Committee piloted a Think and Drive road safety social marketing campaign in Niagara-on-the-Lake in 2006 and has expanded it across the Niagara region in 2007-2008. The Campaign goals are to decrease collisions that can result in fatal and serious injuries by:

  • Increasing awareness about the Niagara collision problem;
  • Increasing related knowledge and skills;
  • Changing driver attitudes and behaviours so that drivers take personal responsibility for road safety.

The campaign continues to evolve and expand across all 12 Niagara municipalities, using a variety of approaches. A communication plan has been developed to "saturate" Niagara with Think and Drive messages through media, advertising and publicity and interactive/participation which includes a Website www.thinkanddrive.net. Key promotion activities include stakeholder participation, community development and strengthening community action. Next steps for the campaign include a community meeting; "Live" Road Safety challenge; Ongoing evaluation and strategies to evolve the Think and Drive messaging. Desired campaign outcomes are changed driver attitudes and actions in order to realize the long-term goal of reduced fatal and serious injury from motor vehicle collisions in Niagara.
(Report PHD 05-2008/PWA 15-2008, March 11, 2008)

Regional Niagara Bicycling Committee (RNBC) Proposed Strategic Plan
Council adopted the following three identified priority areas as the focus for the Regional Niagara Bicycling Committee's work over the next four years.

  • The RNBC will work towards the implementation of Council's approved Regional Bikeways Network to ensure dedicated space for cyclists, including the implementation of a bicycle signage program.
  • The RNBC will assist Niagara municipalities and other stakeholders with the development and implementation of relevant planning documents, inclusive of land use and active transportation plans that support enhanced infrastructure (inter-connected, multi-modal pathways and trails - both on-road and off-road, facilities such as bike storage/parking at destinations and on buses, etc.) for walking and cycling.
  • The RNBC will maintain and expand its partnerships with other local, provincial and bi-national groups and communities to facilitate and promote cycling for transportation, recreation and tourism purposes through education, encouragement and outreach activities for cyclists of all ages and abilities.

Corporate Employee Recognition Team (CERT) "Recognition of Excellence" Award Winners
Council acknowledged the winners of the Corporate Employee Recognition Team (CERT) "Recognition of Excellence" Award. These employees were nominated by their peers for their outstanding contributions to life and work at the Region in one of the following categories: Customer Service, Innovation, Leadership, Personal Achievement and Team Participation. Also awarded was a "Regional Star" which recognizes specific individual acts by Regional employees that go "above and beyond" their responsibilities with the Region. Names of the winners can be found in Report HR 08-2008.
(Report HR 08-2008, March 12, 2008)

Did you find what you were looking for today?