Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall
Weather forecast from Friday, September 15, 2017 to Sunday, September 17, 2017
Today – Mainly sunny. Fog patches dissipating this morning. High 26. Humidex 31. UV index 6 or high.
Tonight – Clear. Fog patches developing after midnight. Low 14.
Saturday, September 16 – Mainly sunny. Fog patches dissipating in the morning. High 27. Humidex 32.
Saturday night – Clear. Low 16.
Sunday, September 17 – Sunny. High 28.
Sunday night – Cloudy periods with 30 percent chance of showers. Low 14.
Photo of the day
Municipal officials are encouraging people to get connected to Chatham-Kent, a “land of opportunity.”
A $3.7 million loan from the federal government announced Monday will close the loop on an $8-million project to send waste heat and carbon dioxide from Greenfield Global’s corn-based alcohol producing plant to Truly Green Farms’ greenhouse facility across the road.
The greenhouse also sees a future where the organic waste from their production could be used as feedstock for new biofuels that could be exported globally.
“This week’s announcement along the Bloomfield Road corridor is another signal it is a growing hub of innovation with a prominent concentration of highly qualified people developing and adopting new energy concepts,” said Geoff Wright, economic development officer at the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, in a press release.
“Our companies take your ideas and bring them to life, Chatham-Kent where global leaders do business.”
Municipal officials say Chatham-Kent manufacturers and agri-producers understand people’s needs.
“We are home to trained professionals with vast experience in custom machining, precision componentry, specialty testing manufacturers and system builders that cultivate success within the agriculture sector, automotive sector, oil, gas and chemical sectors and the transportation sector,” Chatham-Kent officials stated.
“They can handle your stringent quality and exotic material requirements.”
Chatham-Kent boasts over 2,000 innovative growers of more than 70 different crops, Municipla officials say.
Nestled in the fertile soil of southern Ontario Canada, Chatham-Kent has a mean annual temperature 9.6 ͦ C with a 215 day growing season.
Currently, 90% of Chatham-Kent’s 607,385 acres of land (2,435 km2) is dedicated to agriculture.
“We are builders, makers and problem solvers with an experienced workforce, fertile soil, excellent climate and access to US $18 Trillion North American market,” Municipla officials stated.
Council to discuss rental housing in October 2 public forum
The future of rental housing in Chatham-Kent will be the topic of a special forum preceding the October 2 council meeting.
During the session, members of the legislative services team will present information regarding the various forms of rental housing and answer questions from council on municipal options concerning zoning and other factors.
John Norton, legislative services team leader, said there has been significant dialogue about topics such as home and apartment rental, boarding and lodging houses and student housing.
Norton said information from two public meetings and more than 300 responses to an online survey will be presented to council once it is fully evaluated.
“A comprehensive rental housing bylaw is essential to advance the issues of economic prosperity, a healthy and safe community and people and culture as council has established in CKPlan 2035,” Norton said in a press release.
The public forum will begin at 6 p.m.
There will not be an opportunity for public comment during special council meeting but public input is welcome in writing which can be submitted to the municipal clerk’s office both before and after the forum.
“The purpose of this forum is to provide information to councilors and allow them to ask questions in a setting that differs from a formal council meeting,” Norton said.
Before any bylaw or zoning changes could occur, the issue would have to return to council.
At that point administration will review all public and council input and prepare a recommendation to be brought before council at a later date.
More housing, support services for Municipalities across Ontario
Ontario is partnering with municipalities across the province to provide more supportive housing and other services for those in need, to reduce poverty and end chronic homelessness.
Peter Milczyn, Minister of Housing and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, was in Toronto this week to announce that the province is investing in local, innovative approaches to get people experiencing chronic homelessness into housing and provide them with the support they need to stay there.
The City of Toronto is receiving $90 million over three years.
Government officials say the partnership between the province and municipalities will help those most in need find stable housing and gain access to crucial support services, such as counselling, addictions services and life skills training, while furthering Ontario’s goal of ending chronic homelessness by 2025.
In Toronto, the investment is expected to assist over 1,880 households.
“Our goal is to end chronic homelessness by 2025, and we’ll only reach it by making smart investments in what works and leveraging lessons learned into meaningful action across the province,” Milczyn said in a press release.
“By supporting the innovative work of Ontario’s municipalities we will end chronic homelessness, substantially reduce poverty, and deliver a brighter future for every person who calls our province home.”
More details:
– Chronic homelessness refers to the state of being homeless for six months or more in the past year.
Home for Good focuses on helping people in four priority areas find stable housing, including youth, Indigenous people, the chronically homeless, and those transitioning from provincial institutions, such as jails and hospitals.
– Ontario will be announcing funding for additional municipalities in fall 2017.
– Ontario is boosting its operating funding for housing assistance and support services up to a total of $100 million annually beginning in 2019-20, bringing the total investment up to $200 million over three years. This will assist up to 6,000 households.
– This announcement expands on the supportive housing program announced in March 2017 and is part of the Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy update.
– Ontario’s supportive housing investment includes a program in development to give Indigenous people better access to supportive housing.
Upcoming events
– On Friday, September 15 the Dresden volunteer firefighters are hosting a ‘Lite Bite’ at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 113, with fundraising taking place for the Terry Fox Run.
– On Saturday, the Dresden Kinsmen are also having a chicken and rib dinner fundraiser for cancer research at the Kinsmen Hall:
– ‘Fall Fest’ is taking place at Kentwood Gardens in Dresden on Saturday. Hardy fall mums, bulbs, savings on nursery stock, including flowering shrubs, evergreens, trees and perennials will be available for purchase. There will also be treats available at the store.
– There will be a roast beef supper on Saturday September 16 at St. James Church in Wallaceburg. Homemade pies for dessert. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children under 12. For tickets call 519-627-1146.
– The Dresden Terry Fox Run ‘Night Before Club’ is being held on Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the Legion. People who can’t make it on Sunday can come and complete the unmarked route. People can register and turn in their pledge money.
– The Terry Fox Run is taking place on Sunday, September 17, in Dresden. It is an open start from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
at the Legion. Parking is available. There will be a free barbecue, water bottles, and water stations provided. The 5k route is bicycle, stroller, rollerblade and wheelchair accessible. It is also dog friendly, but dogs must be on-leash. More details, here.
– The Wallaceburg Terry Fox Run is also on Sunday. Registration is at 9 a.m., with the run starting at 10 a.m. from Civic Square Park on James Street. The 1 k, 2.5 k, 5 k, or 10 k route is bicycle, rollerblade and wheelchair accessible. More details, here.
– A breakfast will be held at the Tupperville Fire Hall on Sunday morning from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. Adults are $8, children 5-12 are $4 and pre-schoolers are free. There will also be a draw for a new barbecue.
– On Sunday, Crabby Joe’s in Wallaceburg will be holding a Show and Shine event for antique cars. Entry fee is a non perishable food item for the Wallaceburg Food Bank. The event starts at 11 a.m. and goes until 4 p.m. There are door prizes and food available. For more information call 519-627-2963.
– A Service of Dedication of the Peace Garden at Trinity United Church on Wellington Street in Wallaceburg will be held as part of worship on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Refreshments will follow. People are encouraged to come and see the completed garden with its fountain, benches, historic stone, peace stone, memorial plaques and walkway of stones.
World news
North Korea fires a second ballistic missile over Japan
London Tube blast was an ‘improvised explosive device’
Opioid poisonings hospitalize 16 Canadians each day
Winnipeg mayor calls for Lynn Beyak’s resignation
NYT dispatches on Hurricane Irma, 9/14/17
British man dies in Sri Lanka crocodile attack
Trump signs Congressional resolution condemning hate groups
Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside remains Canada’s poorest Census tract
Antoinette Perry will be PEI’s next lieutenant governor
Canada’s wildlife are in trouble
If you have a suggestion, story idea, column idea, or if you want to say hello… drop me an e-mail at aaron@sydenhamcurrent.ca.
