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From the May 22, 2008 Meeting of Regional Council
Desiree Halliwell, 2008 Regional Chair for a Day
The Regional Council meeting was called to order by Ms. Desiree Halliwell, the 2008 Regional Chair for a Day. Ms. Halliwell, a Grade 10 student at Kernahan Park Secondary School, was chosen as this year's "Chair" for her helpfulness, kindness, thoughtfulness and cooperative nature by her peers and teachers.
Ms. Halliwell expressed her gratitude to Regional Chair Partington; the members of Council and all the staff of the Niagara Region for making her Regional Chair for a Day, day a very special one and an experience that she will always remember.
EMS Awards Presentation
In celebration of Emergency Medical Services Week, Regional Chair Partington, Councillors Baty and Casselman, Co-Chair of the Public Health and Social Services Committee and Mr. Cunnane, Director, Niagara Emergency Services were truly honoured to present the Niagara Emergency Medical Services Awards for 2007.
The Public Health and Social Services Committee Award was presented to Mr. Gordon Robinson, Paramedic and Ms. Melissa Lacroix, a Primary Care Paramedic, co-winners of the award this year.
The Paramedic of the Year Award was presented to Ms. Karen Lutz in recognition of her consistent work ethic that is above and beyond the normal call of duty. The System Status Controller of the Year Award was presented to Ms. Joanne MacNeil in recognition of her professionalism, efficiency, and strong organizational skills, excellent quality assurance scores and her ability to use communications technology.
The Award of Merit was presented to Mr. Mark Thomas in recognition of his highly professional and compassionate manner with patients, their families and his co-workers.
The National Paramedic Challenge Award was presented to Mr. Anwer Khaja and Mr. Graeme Mitchell, Niagara Emergency Medical Services Paramedics who placed first in the Primary Care Paramedic Division at the 1st Annual National Paramedic Challenge.
On behalf of Regional Council and the Citizens of Niagara, Regional Chair Partington extended our appreciation to all of Niagara's paramedics and systems status controllers for their dedication, compassion, professionalism, each and every day.
Manufacturing in Niagara
Mr. Wayne Gates, President CAW Local 199 provided Regional Council with a presentation entitled "Fighting for Canadian Jobs: The Crisis in Manufacturing", and requested Council endorsement of a resolution to adopt a "Buy Canadian" policy for municipal purchases. The resolution was referred to staff for review and comment.
Council Business Planning Session - Issue of Poverty in Niagara
Regional Council will be holding a Council Business Planning Session to discuss the issue of poverty in Niagara on June 5, 2008, from 5 - 7 p.m. in the Atrium at Regional headquarters. Regional Council is to plan our response to the issues and recommendations made in our committee report on poverty and its impact on child health in the region. The Minister of Child and Youth Services, Deb Matthews, is holding community input sessions regarding the issue across Ontario, and the results of this planning session will be instrumental in our response and input into those meetings. Please RSVP regarding your attendance by Friday, May 30 to Deb Urbshott, Administrative Assistant to the Commissioner of Community Services.
Official Opening of the Region's Water Treatment Facility in Niagara Falls
This week marked the official opening of the Region's water treatment facility in Niagara Falls. The facility is truly an innovative project that speaks directly to our Council's focus on environmental stewardship, and is the result of an excellent partnership with the City of Niagara Falls. Regional and City staff, were commended for this accomplishment.
Emergency Medical Services Week & National Public Works Week
The week of May 18 - 24, 2008 is officially Emergency Medical Services Week, and National Public Works Week, with the theme of "The Future is Now." Many thanks to our employees in both EMS and Public Works for the contribution they make to our quality of life in Niagara each and every day.
Bike to Work Week
Regional Council was advised of the Regional Niagara Bicycling Committee's "Bike to Get There" campaign, which begins with the launch
of the cycling season from May 26 - June 1, 2008, and continues from June 2 to October 31. The idea is to motivate people to begin using their bikes as their choice of transportation at least twice per week. Team Captains will be recruiting family members, work colleagues, friends and neighbours for their teams and to be eligible for great prizes. Participants are asked to record all of their cycling rides throughout Niagara Region on special Cycling Passports, noting each trip in the passport calendar. Once complete they can be dropped at various bike shops for more chances to win prizes. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit the committee's website at: http://www.rnbc.info/
Public Information Centre - 406 Extension and Expansion to East Main Street, Welland
Planning and Public Works Committee received a presentation by the Ministry of Transportation, along with their consultant, to provide an update on the progress of the 406 extension and expansion to East Main Street in Welland. Please note that the first public information centre will be held on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 from 4 - 8 p.m. at the Days Inn in Welland. Interested Councillors, staff and members of the public were encouraged to attend.
Congratulations Pat Heidebrecht! A Woman of Distinction
Ms. Pat Heidebrecht received the YWCA Niagara Region 2008 Women of Distinction Awards in the public and community service category. As the founder of the Ontario Early Years Centres; co-author and developer of the Niagara Children's Charter, which was based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Ms. Heidebrecht has dedicated her life to improving the lives of children.