
January 5, 2018 · 0 Comments
October 5
• Not a lot of people from Orangeville get the chance to go to Nunavut, but now all of us are represented by one sign.
This past September, Brett Meyer spent two weeks in Alert, Nunavut, where they have a tradition of putting up road signs from everyone’s hometown.
The reason for Mr. Meyer being so far up north was to help the people at the Canadian Forces Station (CFS) resupply, and sort through all of the extra cargo that gets delivered there.
Meyer is currently an aerospace control operator for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
The majority of the signs were Canadian, which doesn’t come as a surprise, but Mr. Meyer told us that there were signs from Chile, Sweden and Korea.
“It was pretty cool being the first one from Orangeville to bring up a sign because I did see one for Mono, Arthur, and Fergus.”
October 12
• Even Sylvia Jones seemed a little mystified at how quickly time passes.
Tuesday marked 10 years to the day since her election as MPP for Dufferin-Caledon, and Ms. Jones celebrated the occasion with a reception at Caledon Community Complex in Caledon East that was attended by more than 200 people. Several prominent Progressive Conservatives were on hand for the festivities, including party leader Patrick Brown and former premier Ernie Eves.
• A local couple’s dream U.S. getaway soon turned into a living nightmare after they were caught up in the aftermath of the bone-chilling massacre on the Las Vegas Strip on Oct. 1 which claimed 58 lives and injured hundreds more.
Brenda Wilson, owner of The Cut Above hair salon in Shelburne, and husband Bruce Lemcke, an Orangeville Police officer, arrived in Las Vegas early on that fateful day.
Enjoying their first evening in the city, Ms. Wilson and Mr. Lemcke were in the Paris Las Vegas casino when they noticed people flooding in from the streets, most of them screaming.
Brenda candidly told the Citizen this was an experience that was going to stay with her for a long, long time.
“I’ve thought about it every day since, and I will probably think about it every day for the foreseeable future,” Ms. Wilson concluded
October 19
• Orangeville’s integrity commissioner Guy Giorno has confirmed he is investigating allegations that a member of Council has interfered with or unduly influenced municipal staff in the performance of their duties, as well as breaching the duty to treat members of staff appropriately and without abuse, bullying or intimidation.
Details regarding the integrity commissioner’s ongoing investigation are scarce. The identity of the complainant, a member of Orangeville’s staff, has not been disclosed. So, too, is the identity of the Council member, although it is implied in Mr. Giorno’s interim report that the individual voted against his reappointment on Sept. 25. During that meeting, Mayor Williams and councillors Garisto and Don Kidd voted against the integrity commissioner’s reappointment.
An investigation into 10 of the 13 alleged violations is currently ongoing. Mr. Giorno states he will endeavour to complete the investigation “as soon as possible”, but could not give an estimate as to when his final report will be issued.
• A majority of Orangeville Council has decided not to “keep up with the times” on Monday (Oct. 16), voting against legalizing daycares in townhouses and semi-detached homes.
October 26
• For the second year in a row, Orangeville Council has refused to add “much needed” full-time firefighting support to its ranks, going against the recommendations of Fire Chief Ron Morden.
While the town is currently covered from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. by 12 full-time firefighters, it relies on 36 volunteer firefighters between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
On average, response times during the evening/overnight stretch close to the 13-minute mark in Orangeville – almost eight minutes more than the daytime average.
The addition of eight new firefighters would set the Town back $800,000 in 2018, and a projected $1.15 million by 2022. Orangeville’s budget for Fire Services next year is around $3.2 million. That would have gone to over $4 million had Council granted the request.
• The Dufferin Board of Trade (DBT) celebrated Canada’s National Small Business Week, by hosting its annual Business Excellence Awards (BEAs) to celebrate, and recognize business excellence across the county, as well as the accomplishments and contributions of local business.
The event took place last Thursday evening (October 19) at the Mono Community Centre, and saw over 300 people attended to celebrate local businesses’ service and entrepreneurs to the community.
Eight awards were given out to local businesses and individuals, including Business of the Year with more than 10 employees, Young Professional of the Year, Emerging Business Award and Dufferin Business Citizen of the Year.
• In a sit-down interview with Citizen junior reporter Avery Park, Orangeville Mayor Jeremy Williams confirmed he will seek re-election in 2018.
• Doug Gilmour, captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the mid-90’s, and one of the most popular players of his time, has stopped by in Orangeville, signing his autobiography to eager fans at the Alder Street Recreation Centre.
This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity took place Tuesday evening (October 24) when hockey fans lined up to get a signed copy of his memoir, and meet Gilmour in person.
The book, “Killer: My Life in Hockey,” reveals Mr. Gilmour’s exploits and escapades on and off the ice. Partial sales from BookLore will be donated to the Orangeville Wolves special needs hockey team.
• Over 500, 000 students in Ontario are wondering where their money is going when professors aren’t teaching in their classrooms.
The strike began on Oct. 16, and now in the second week, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union and the College Employer Council are no closer to coming to a decision, or creating time to talk.
There are more then 12,000 professors, instructors, counselors and librarians currently on strike, so students have been left to their own resources, only receiving projects online, the students have no other contact with their professors.