Archives September 2021

Stayner man to throw 1st pitch at Blue Jays game

Raymond Hardisty thought he was showing up for a normal work shift at Dairy Queen in Stayner.

Boy, was he was wrong.

Hardisty received quite the surprise courtesy of Dairy Queen and the Toronto Blue Jays. Ace, the team mascot, was on hand to let Hardisty know he had a call from Blue Jays broadcaster Buck Martinez.

Martinez called to tell Hardisty that he would be throwing out the first pitch at the Rogers Centre on Aug. 8 in celebration of Miracle Treat Day.

“I think that’s awesome,” Martinez said. “You’ll also go behind the scenes and we’re going to take you out on the field to watch the Blue Jays take batting practice.”

Hardisty has a deep connection with Miracle Treat Day at the Hospital for Sick Children.

He was diagnosed with leukemia at age four, received a bone-marrow transplant and was diagnosed with graft versus host disease.

Hardisty was a Miracle Treat Day champion child in 2000 and has raised $30,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network. Miracle Treat Day takes place on Aug. 9 and sees a portion of every Blizzard treat sold go to the Children’s Miracle Network.

“Every kid deserves to live a full life,” he said. “It’s a shame when a kid is born and they’re sick. They shouldn’t have to live the first few years of their life in a hospital bed.”

Hardisty also received a Blue Jays jersey with his name on it as well as a new ball glove.

He said he’s always been a Blue Jays fan and said it’s “unbelievable” that he will be throwing out the first pitch.

“I’ve been a Blue Jays ever since I was a little kid,” he said.  “Even when I came home from the hospital, for my birthday, my parents made up a nice Toronto Blue Jays birthday cake for me.”

Stayner Dairy Queen owner Sherry Schaap thanked Hardisty for all of the work he has done in the community and for SickKids.

“I know you always say they have given you a second life, they have given our community a special angel, and you are that angel,” she said.


Marc Seguin — Innisfil Ward 6

I am a resident of beautiful Ward 6 in Innisfil. I’m a dedicated public servant who has worked over 15 years in government and not-for profit work environments.

Consequently, I have solid knowledge of government processes and policies, strategic planning, and financial accountability. I have a proven track record of leading and completing large projects. With each project, I ensured public consultation, and in many, I have brought forward innovative partnership or ideas to cut project costs.

I believe in the importance of community, and giving back to the community in which I reside. Over the last few years, I have volunteered locally, helping to coach and/or train with the Innisfil Soccer Association and with minor hockey. I am also an active volunteer participant within federal and provincial sports, including holding the position of chair of the board of directors for Sport Alliance Ontario, which ran the Canada and Ontario Games and the Ontario Sport Awards portfolio for the province of Ontario. 

I have a university degree from Brock University, an Economic Development certificate from University of Waterloo, and I have completed other training geared at running municipalities, including a Municipal Management training program.

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to be going door to door to meet Ward 6 residents. I’m looking forward to meeting and hearing from you.  

As your Ward 6 Councillor, I will be:

•    Your voice for innovating Innisfil  — committed to the residents of Ward 6

•    A champion for increasing access to health care

•    Committed to keeping our community beautiful and enjoyable

•    Committed to building a safe road network

•    Being accountable for all tax dollar spending

•    Focused on business development to bring jobs to Innisfil

I want to be your voice for innovating Innisfil. I am not running to represent myself. I am running to represent YOU. I want to hear about your ideas — let’s build a platform together. Please email me at [email protected] or call me at 705-791-9142 to talk about your ideas or concerns.  

CONTACT INFORMATION

Marc Seguin

Candidate — Ward Six Councillor, Town of Innisfil

3690 Kimberley St. Innisfil

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Micheline Robichaud — Barrie Ward 6

Over the next two months, you may have a few candidates at your door. You may receive a few different pieces of literature, hear different promises, different slogans.

I ask you to consider the power of your vote. With that X, you are having your say on how your property taxes are managed, how roads are repaired, how streets and sidewalks are kept safe, and how trails and green spaces are treated.

Ask the tough questions. Make sure your candidate knows the issues, how to fight for our community, and has the experience and knowledge to make it happen.

Here is a reality: Due to increased property value, your taxes will be going up in the next few years. You should expect and demand answers and assurances that qualified people will be making decisions on how to manage that. I was in real estate for years and have extensive experience in corporate taxation, development, and MPAC assessments. I have a deep understanding of government, and fighting for issues that matter.

From sitting on the board of directors for various charities, and working now in nonprofit, I have learned a great deal about the needs of residents, and especially about our struggling middle class being pushed out of home ownership by increased costs of daily living.

What I bring to the table is a deep understanding of the issues: Gridlock and traffic in the city, roads that need work, speeding on residential streets without enforcement, and parking that becomes a safety issue. I know about the long-term plans for growth, development and taxation; what it will take to create affordable housing; and how to grow smart while saving our green spaces.

Long-term planning for long-term prosperity requires the ability to find solutions to complex problems.

I am always honest.

I am accountable.

I have the knowledge, the skills and the experience.

I am your candidate for Ward 6.

Micheline Robichaud

Campaign office address: 4 Summerset Dr., Barrie.

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Find out how mentoring has ‘enriched’ the life of a Collingwood woman

When Lorretta Lavell and her husband retired to Collingwood five years ago, they didn’t want to just enjoy the scenery.

“We wanted to become integrated in the community,” she said.

Lavell said she and Phil, who have been married 50 years, wanted to help young people and were always interested in mentoring youth.

They thought about coaching some local teams but at the urging of former Big Brothers Big Sisters executive director Jarvis Strong, they decided to become mentors with the organization.

Stouffville didn’t have a Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter but they were always interested in volunteering.

“We knew it had an excellent reputation,” she said.

They became a mentor to Matthew, now 14, nearly four years ago and Loretta said he has had an impact on them.

“Our lives have been enriched by the experience,” she said. “Our new friends and neighbours, they see it.”

She said they do a number of activities together and with the couple having a grandson the same age, Matthew has become part of the family.

“We feel like we’re family,” she said. “We’re in a really privileged position here.”

She said they’ve taken the boys to Lego land and on trips, Phil enjoys driving around with Matthew in his 1940 Ford or spending time in the kitchen.

“Phil is a really good cook, he’s teaching Matthew how to cook,” she said.

In addition to mentoring, Loretta is one of four individuals who organized the Blue Moon Mid Summer Eve Party in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters.

The fourth annual event takes place on Aug. 3 and raised $67,000 last year.

“For me Big Brothers Big Sisters is a passion,” she said.

“We see the good that it’s done in young lives.”

Surprise meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Bradford

It’s not very often that you drive through Tim Hortons in Bradford for your daily morning coffee when a man wearing a black suit on a very hot morning approaches your vehicle with a firm stop with his hands‎.

After this, you then you see about 10 black large SUVs lined up and then you wonder what’s going on.

I asked the man jokingly, “is the prime minister here?”

He replied, “yes‎ he is.”

I didn’t believe this was true. I then went on to park my vehicle hoping to meet him at the Caldense Bakery in Bradford where lots of people gathered very quickly.

I was able to get into the bakery fairly quickly and obtained a few photos of the prime minister of Canada to share with family and friends. My children did not believe it until I showed them the pictures when I got back home.

Regardless of one’s party affiliation, this was probably one of the biggest, unforgettable and unexpected surprises one could ever get.

Customize your meal at Innisfil’s Pastaplus

It’s 9 a.m. on a Wednesday morning, and Anthony Abate, along with his wife Nancy, and teenage daughter Elizabeth, are busily chopping vegetables and frying up breaded eggplant in the kitchen of their Pastaplus restaurant in Innisfil.

“Today is vegetarian lasagna day, so it’s a bit hectic for us,” said the cheerful restaurateur, as he took a break from his culinary duties to chat with a visiting reporter.

The eight-year-old eatery offers a homey atmosphere, and specializes in made-from-scratch food with a European flare, served up café style. “Pastaplus is an à la minute (prepared on the spot) pasta bar,” he said.

Guests can choose their size and type of pasta, the sauce they want, and if they want to add vegetables, meat or savoury toppings. Salads, naan breads, desserts, various daily features and more are also on offer.

“The whole idea is to give customers exactly what they want,” he explains. “So if they don’t want mushrooms in their pasta, they don’t have to pick them out, because everything is made to order.”

The concept also caters to vegetarians and vegans.

The idea for Pastaplus came from build your own omelette bars, admits the 48-year-old who, prior to opening Pastaplus, worked in food and beverage management at various Canadian venues, including Banff’s Chateau Lake Louise, Vancouver’s Pan Pacific Hotel, Kleinburg’s Doctor’s House, the Toronto Congress Centre, and more.  

“I thought, if you can create custom omelettes, why not do the same with my favourite food — pasta?”

With that concept in mind, the couple left their former jobs and opened Pastaplus. “We had been living in the Alcona-area for years, and thought it would be nice to run a family business together, and not have to commute anymore,” he said.  

Their two teenage daughters, Madelin and Elizabeth also help out.

Popular menu items include all of the pastas, the meatballs, veal, the rib-eye sandwich, the Mediterranean salad, and the garlic bread. Lasagna days are also very popular, Wednesday is vegetarian lasagna, and Friday is meat lasagna.

“Our food philosophy is fresh and honest,” said Nancy.

Both Nancy and Anthony describe themselves as self-taught cooks. “I grew up in an Italian family and my Nonna taught me how to cook, and I also picked up a lot of things along the way in my food and beverage career,” said Anthony. Nancy, who is from a Macedonian background, says her mother started teaching her culinary skills when she was nine.

While the 32-seat restaurant, and takeout service is only open from Tuesday to Friday, Pastaplus does have a bustling catering business and opens for private parties on weekends. They also do offsite catering for up to 350 people.

Pastaplus is also known for its amazing coffee.

Why the name Pastaplus? “I’m a pasta junkie,” he says with a laugh. “Growing up, every meal we ever had always started with pasta, so I have always had a complete love for the pasta. We added the plus, because we definitely offer more than just pasta — we’re a pasta bar with a twist.”

Avery Konda – Barrie Ward 1

I have been avidly involved in local politics through organizations such as Georgian College and RVH, ensuring that two of our largest employers in Barrie create opportunity, and continue to build economic growth.

However, I have noticed less and less focus on Ward 1 over these years, and a need for more of a fair share for our community.

Through Georgian College, as GCSA president,  I worked to foster a community of changemakers, the opportunity for students to become entrepreneurially active, and become leaders in their communities.

As a member of the Georgian College Changemaker Committee I worked diligently with a diverse team of faculty, staff and senior leaders to become the first Ashoka designated Changemaker College in Canada, and one of 250 schools in the world with this designation.

I was also a champion in the $25,000 donation to the RVH Mental Health Youth Wing that provided youth mental health support in Simcoe County.

Through my leadership at the college, I was selected as the recipient for the HBEC Student Entrepreneur Award, Employee Entrepreneurial Award, and 1 of 3 leaders in Canada to receive the CiCan Leadership Excellence Award.

I currently work at Georgian College as a program assistant, and volunteer for numerous organizations in the community such as Startup Barrie, Christmas Cheer, the Georgian College Pow Wow, and more.

Through my volunteering, I have been a proponent in creating business and entrepreneurial opportunity through Georgian College, providing food aid to local residents through Christmas Cheer, and promoting a culture of inclusion within our Ward.

My background allows me to quickly step into the role of councillor for Ward 1, and to create action to bring my platform of “Fair Share” to each of our residents.

Through my Fair Share platform I will champion three main issues:

1. Infrastructure Challenges, with road repair and rehabilitation to target and prioritize aging infrastructure within our community.

2. Community Safety, with positive actions to reduce speeding on our roads and in our neighbourhoods to keep families, seniors, and residents safe.

3. Smart Growth and Not Forced Growth, to create a Smart Growth Plan for our Ward to prioritize future repairs and developments, ensuring our Ward does not become left behind in the City of Barrie’s future.

To see a more in depth explanation of my #FairShare platform, please check out my social links, website, and contact information.

Website:

Phone number:

Connect with me:

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Open audition for Innisfilm actors in Innisfil

Innisfilm is looking for actors for its upcoming production.

Innisfilm is a fledgling non-profit organization that wants to create movies showcasing area talent and has a script ready for the cameras.

Four females are needed to play Ashley (17 to 19 years old), Melissa (20 to 30 years old) Sandra (40s) and a grandmother (over 60 years old).

Four men are needed to play a police detective, a businessman, a mobster and a delivery man.

The open auditions take place June 23 at the Innisfil IdeaLab and Library’s Lakeshore branch from noon until 3 p.m.

The rehearsals are July 14 and 28, from 3:30 to 9 p.m., with filming dates in Innisfil all day Aug. 5 and 6, and on Aug 11 and 12 from 3 to 10 p.m.

Clearview aviation business park gets extension for planning conditions

The proponents of an aviation business park will be able to keep their subdivision approvals until 2033.

Clearview Township councillors approved granting Clearview Aviation Business Park (CABP) an extension on the draft plan of subdivision for all three phases of the 285-acre project located beside the Collingwood Regional Airport.

The proponents had been looking for 15 years from the current lapsing date of the approvals, taking it until 2036 for Phase 1, and 2037 for the second and third phases; municipal staff recommended extending the draft approvals for Phase 1 for another two years, and one year for Phases 2 and 3, to 2022 and 2023, respectively.

After the decision, CABP spokesperson Paul Bonwick said the extension provides the project with stability.

“I think council understands the uniqueness of the project. There’s really one driving theme behind the request: to create a long-term stable environment to attract industry,” he said.

Several council members spoke in favour of extending the lapse date until 2033, notably Deputy Mayor Barry Burton. Burton noted that although he is typically loath to approve draft plan extensions to projects, he would be willing in this case because, he said, “I realize five years is not enough time” to develop the property.

Bonwick said CABP remains committed to its investment in the property, which he said is in “the millions of dollars.”

“It has taken us four years to go through the official plan, the draft plan, zoning. I appreciate the comments and concern about the long-term implications, but there has been many millions of dollars invested in the property,” he said. “At every turn, when the development group has been asked to make actions, they’ve done so.

“They’re not doing this to keep it rented out to the farmer who’s growing corn on it right now. That’s not the intention of investing that many millions of dollars.”

Bonwick said if the draft conditions lapsed in 2022, there could be a new provincial government in place by that time, “and a whole new set of rules and regulations and changes in planning policy.

“How do you spend $20 million in servicing on that risk?”

Robert Bortlisz — Wasaga Beach councillor

I grew up spending a lot of time in the beach. My parents moved and then retired here as did I.  

The sandy shores and natural beauty drew people just like you and I here. We brought our energy, skills, expertise and slowly but surely built businesses, tourist attractions, cottages and homes. We grew into a town.

Together we built a good community. Some years were better than others. We moved forward, often named as one of the fasted growing towns.

But in the last 20 years a number of self interest groups came here telling us “we’re doing it all wrong.” They come with outside experts (that often we have paid for) to convince us of this. They talk of Monaco and Miami Beach. They wanted you to sell your hydro.

They promise “big change.” They do not value your expertise and experience.

If we want to move forward then we have to get back to being a fun, friendly, relaxed community, where you can raise a family, do business or retire, have a garden and enjoy the natural amenities.   

We need to stay diverse, open to all cultures, income levels and remain an affordable town where young people can find a good start in life.

We need to make it easier to start or operate a business to create jobs and wealth. We need to get the best value of services for our tax dollars. We need to start thinking like a small tourist town again, not a big city!

I believe if ‘we’ do things wisely, issues like a high school, better medical access, parks and recreational facilities can be tackled, improved and resolved. Prudent financial planning has worked for us in the past. Prudent financial planning will take us where we want to be in our future.

I look for your support. Web contact and information at;

Let’s move forward in the right direction.

Thank you.