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From the July 3, 2008 Meeting of Regional Council
Niagara's Greenest Families
A Niagara's Greenest Family contest was held in early 2008 and open to all Niagara residents and entries were received from eleven of the twelve municipalities. The title of Niagara's Greenest Family was awarded to one family from each municipality that was deemed to have made the Greenest effort to reduce their energy and water consumption, use environmentally friendly transportation, and generally reduce, reuse, recycle and compost.
Regional Council congratulated the following families who were titled Niagara's Greenest Families in their respective municipality:
Towers family - Fort Erie; Schat family - Grimsby; D'Achille family - Lincoln; McMaster family - Niagara Falls; Hellwig family - Niagara-on-the-Lake; Southwell family - Pelham; Trefz family - St. Catharines; Macauley-Brenet family - Thorold; Ens family - Wainfleet; Merritt family - Welland and Shaver family - West Lincoln.
Niagara International Chamber Music Festival
The Niagara International Chamber Music Festival is a registered not for profit organization, which has a nine member board, of which Christopher Newton is an Associate, a staff of two, an accountant, a fundraiser, and a vast pool of volunteers. Concerts are performed at venues across the region, from Fort Erie to Grimsby, from Welland to Niagara-on-the-Lake, in some of Niagara's prized historical buildings and exotic locations.
The Niagara International Chamber Music Festival has over the years formed valuable partnerships with local businesses, such as Vintage Inns, Peller Estates Winery, Inniskillin Winery, and the Shaw Festival - blending three vital components of the Niagara Region - tourism, wine, and the arts.
The festival's 2008 10th anniversary season consists of 50 concerts, and will run from July 21 to August 16.
Please visit http://www.niagaramusicfest.com/ for more information.
Ringing of the Bells in Celebration of Quebec City's 400th Birthday!
Members of Regional Council and staff marked the 400th Anniversary of Quebec City by ringing of bells and revisiting some of the rich history that Quebec City has enjoyed over the past 400 years in the Atrium on July 3rd. Happy 400th Birthday, Quebec City!
Best Wishes for the Future, John!
Regional Council acknowledged the 17 years of service that John Nicol has provided to Niagara Region as Commissioner of Human Resources, noting, that the reorganization of our administrative structure that was undertaken, resulted in a new structure that no longer contains the role of Commissioner for the Human Resources Department. As a result, Mr. Nicol will no longer occupy the position as of July 7, 2008. Â Mr. Nicol has served this community well. He has been a trusted advisor to two Chief Administrative Officers, four Regional Chairs, himself included; and seven Regional Councils. He has carried out his often difficult tasks with skill and sensitivity. He leaves the Region with a positive labour relations environment and we wish him well in his future endeavours.
Regional Council and staff in attendance acknowledged Mr. Nicol's years of service at Niagara Region with a standing ovation, wishing him the best of luck for the future.
Council's New Initiatives
Regional Council approved in the allocation of funds from the approved budget for new initiatives to further support Council's Business Plan, to carry out the Local Food Action Plan Work Program and the Agricultural Value Added Activities Study.
Police Facilities - Update
Regional Council received several correspondence items respecting Police Facilities and in response to Police Services Board's correspondence dated July 2, 2008, Regional Council authorized staff to make any necessary changes to the terms of reference for the Joint Oversight Committee to balance the representation (i.e. 4 staff members from both the Region and the Police Service); better clarify the role of the committee as advisory to the respective Boards; include Police Services
Board language that was articulated in their letter dated June 26, 2008 that would better capture the purpose of the committee and its formal "commitment to mutual co-operation and information sharing"; and to include and ensure transparency and accountability to the citizens of Niagara Region.
Regional Council also approved the financing with long term financing for the new Fort Erie Police Facility and the new Grimsby Police Facility, and referred all the processes related to the facilities including financing, planning, design and construction to the Police Long-Term Accommodation Committee for administration.
Immunization Clinics
The Public Health Department will be holding immunization clinics over the summer months in order for parents to immunize their children prior to the beginning of the school year.
Partners in the Sky Fundraiser
Councillor Greenwood advised Regional Council that she would be taking part in the Partners in the Sky skydiving fundraising event for the Boys and Girls Club of Niagara at Skydive Burnaby on July 12, 2008. Councillor Greenwood thanked all those who sponsored her for this event.