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2016 Year in Review: July

January 13, 2017   ·   0 Comments

July 7, 2016

•  A lockout of the nation’s postal service edged ever closer as we moved into July with Canada Post issuing a 72-hour notice on July 5 warning that its unionized employees could be locked out as of July 8.

Just after midnight on July 5, Canada Post sent out a press release notifying the public of the lockout following failed negotiations with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CPUW).

Negotiations have been ongoing for much of the summer and Canada Post told CPUW that its offers, which had been presented on June 25 and included a “fair” pay structure and some benefits, are to be considered final.

Following the announcement from Canada Post, CUPW issued a statement accusing the corporation of driving the workers “out onto the streets without pay” in order to force workers to accept steep concessions being imposed on them.

July 14, 2016

•  Canadian postal workers proposed a 30-day cooling off period to the Crown Corporations management on July 8, suggesting it would provide the opportunity to address uncertainty within the mail system, as well as provide a chance for negotiations between organization and union officials to succeed.

•  A very special local resident was introduced to the community in this week’s issue of the Citizen as six-year-old Olivia Halfyard was interviewed following her declaration that she would be shaving her head and donating her hair to cancer victims.

Olivia’s family has been hit hard by cancer in recent years. Her aunt Loretta is a survivor of breast cancer, but her cousin Priscilla passed away in 2015 following a long battle with synovial sarcoma. Olivia decided she wanted to take action and find a way to both honour the battles her family members have faced and help others who are facing it now.

“I decided I wanted to cut my hair for cancer patients that lose their hair during treatment,” explained Olivia. “I feel nervous that I am cutting my hair, but it makes me feel special that I can give hair to people who don’t have any.”

•  The annual Friends of Island Lake Bass Fishing Day hooked a big turnout on July 9 and 10 as dozens of local fishing enthusiasts came out to enjoy a weekend’s worth of fishing.

With several prizes and trophies up for grabs, there were categories for the largest bass, black crappie, northern pike and perch. Kids had their own competition with trophies handed out in six different categories.

“It’s a consistently popular event,” said Derby chair Steve Murphy. “We had about 200 anglers out on Saturday (July 8) and expect the same on Sunday (July 9).”

•  The Orangeville Jr. A Northmen clinched a first place finish in the Ontario Jr. A Lacrosse League with an 11-10 win over the Kitchener-Waterloo Braves on July 8.

The Northmen ended the regular season with 29 points – one ahead of the second place Six Nations Arrows – good enough for a 14-5-1 record.

July 21, 2016

•  More than 20,000 people flocked to the grounds behind the Alder Street Recreation Centre on July 15, 16 and 17 to celebrate the 7th annual Rotary Ribfest.

The event, hosted by the Rotary Club of Orangeville, featured live musical performances, midway for the kids and beer tent for adults to go along with the mountain of ribs to be served up by energetic rib enthusiasts over the course of the weekend.

•  As of July 20, the Town of Orangeville had a new CAO as Ed Brennan joined the municipality on a full-time basis.

Mr. Brennan had been serving under the title of acting CAO since January, when it was revealed the Town’s current CAO Rick Schwarzer was taking an indefinite leave of absence.

“Council and I have complete confidence that Mr. Brennan will continue to provide the leadership and management skills that will make our municipality stronger, more efficient and response to our citizens,” said Orangeville mayor Jeremy Williams.

•  If you paid any attention to social media, the news or even just people around you this past summer, it’s likely you’ve been hearing the words ‘Pokemon GO’ quite frequently.

The game, available on mobile devices, exploded in popularity following its release back in early July. While it didn’t get released in Canada until July 17, many people were able to download it using a file that had been leaked to the internet, launching the craze across the nation.

Here in Orangeville, residents are not immune to the game’s pull. On july 14 a Facebook group for local players was created. In less than a week the group has expanded to over 200 members who, despite many of them not knowing one another before, began meeting up frequently around town to catch Pokemon and play together.

•  Dufferin-Caledon MP David Tilson shared his belief with media that the current Liberal government should be doing more to combat terrorism across the globe.

Responding to a letter distributed throughout the community related to last week’s tragedy in Nice, France, in which a truck plowed into crowds watching a Bastille Day fireworks display, Mr. Tilson said more has to be done to defend against ISIS and contended the current government is not doing enough.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ended Canada’s air mission against ISIS and is now talking of putting more troops on the ground.

“All governments of the free world are going to have to spend more money and time protecting us,” Mr. Tilson said.

July 28, 2016

•  The Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) project, designed to bring high-speed internet to rural parts of Southwestern Ontario, has received $180 million in new provincial and federal funding through the government’s Small Communities Fund.

Ultra-high speed internet connectivity has long been seen as critical to rural economic development and as a result of the grants Southwestern Ontario is closer to seeing the development of a project that will have a major impact on rural Dufferin’s current and future vitality.

Dufferin County CAO Sonya Pritchard, SWIFT staff leader, underscored the importance of connectivity for rural and regional economic development.

“In today’s economy, all industries and sectors rely on broadband to succeed. Improved internet connectivity will drive innovation, remove barriers to economic growth and create jobs.”

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