Archives 2021

Woman and child treated after Innisfil dog attack

A 44-year-old woman and a child were treated by paramedics after getting bitten by a dog in Innisfil Aug. 16.

Emergency crews were called to a home near the 5th Line and 9th Line around 4:30 p.m. for an animal complaint.

Paramedics were already treating the pair for a dog bite when officers arrived. They were both taken to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre for treatment of minor injuries.

The dog is being quarantined for 10 days and the Innisfil bylaw department is now investigating under the provincial Dog Owners’ Liability Act.

New venue for annual Innisfil Makerfest July 14

The senses will be stimulated at this year’s Makerfest event.

Along with all of the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) information, the event ties in with Cookstown’s community picnic.

The annual Makerfest is July 14 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Cookstown branch of the Innisfil IdeaLAB and Library.

“It’s a great way to find out about things in the local community,” librarian Melissa Harris said. “We have amazing, talented people here and you can come and see what they make or do.”

This is the fourth annual , which explores the high and low tech worlds of robotics and more.

This year’s event includes a silver jewelry maker, a piñata maker, a virtual reality station, augmented reality colouring, 3D printed remote controlled cards, leather making, entertainment by the Fitzees, precious stone bracelets and library kits like the Lego WeDo, little Bits and Snap Circuits.

Harris noted the change in venue at the Cookstown branch at hosting it for the first time.

“We recently put a smaller version of the hack lab in Cookstown and you are able to check out a skill or go to tinker workshops,” Harris said.

The bonus is the splash pad should be running for this year’s Makerfest.

Barrie police searching for donation jar thief

Barrie Police Service is looking for the public’s help after a donation jar meant for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada was stolen from a Beer Store this morning.

Barrie police received an alarm call from the Blake Street store at about 5:30 a.m. July 10.

The front window of the business was smashed and video surveillance showed a man enter the store and steal a donation jar located on the counter.  The suspect quickly fled the scene with only the jar in hand, Const. Nicole Rodgers said.

Police hope someone will recognize the man and contact the investigating officer.

He is described as:

• Male, white;

• 50 to 60 years old;

• Wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with red trim, light coloured jeans and possibly white gloves.

Anyone who may have information should contact Const. T. Howlett at 705-725-7025 ext. 2683 or [email protected]. Any information can be provided anonymously to  at 1-800-222-TIPS or leave an anonymous tip online at 

Donald Westcott — Severn Ward 5

My name is Donald Westcott, and I have been a resident of the Township of Severn for 22 years. My wife Cathy and I have called Ward 5 home for the past 10 years. I am the father of three adult children and grandfather of two grandsons. I retired from my career as a police officer and worked for a local home contractor.

As incumbent Ward 5 councillor for the Township of Severn, I have gained significant knowledge of The Municipal Act as well as policy, procedure and protocol. As a strong communicator who is accessible to the residents, I am committed to being an active and effective member of council. If re-elected, I will uphold these qualities and continue my role of positive leadership on township council.

My first four years as councillor have seen a property tax increase in 2018 of 0.33%; 1.6 million dollars in road reconstruction for Ward 5; and access for Severn residents to Orillia Public Library services.

As an involved community member, I have been active, as on the Washago Canada Day, Santa Claus Parade and Canada 150 celebration committees; member and current president of the Washago Garden Club; fundraiser for the Washago Community Centre, Washago Garden Club and The Friends of the Washago Water Tower; and facilitator of the wooden paddle and Maple Leaf art projects in Washago.

If re-elected, my priorities would include maintaining a minimum property tax increase; continued support for road and bridge upgrades; improved internet and wireless service for rural areas in Ward, 5 and keeping a “watchful eye” on our rural environment. Washago priorities would include upgrades of the sewer system, advocating for a sidewalk on Quetton Street to the Washago Centennial Park, and additional parking in the Washago business sector.

The Township of Severn is a unique and picturesque place to live and work. If re-elected I would be proud to continue serving the residents of Ward 5.

Campaign office: 3113 Muskoka St., Washago; telephone number: ; website: ; email address:

Dave Wood — New Tecumseth Ward 7

Resident of New Tecumseth since June 1981

Married 42 years, two children

I went to Acadia University — major in recreation, minor in business.

Business Experience — senior logistics manager North America having developed and managed complex national operations, networks.

I retired in April 2017 and started attending council and planning meetings to gain a better understanding and appreciation of what is involved in being a councillor in New Tecumseth. Being retired, I now have the time that I believe is necessary to devote to this position. After decades of volunteering in the community, it is time to take on a larger role and represent the south as a councillor in Ward 7.

I have the business knowledge and experience, along with my willingness to work hard and dedicate myself, to be a strong representative in New Tecumseth. Hard work, never quit.

I am prepared and willing to give the time to listen and voice the opinions of the residents in Ward 7 and take action to get things done. I will address issues head on. I will demand answers. I will look to resolve problems with openness, honesty and transparency.

Three issues that need to be resolved immediately (in no specific order), with action plans put into place with specific timelines for Ward 7 are high speed internet connectivity, town water for the Deer Springs community residents, and the landfill operation at TAC Airport and other rural locations. We have gone on long enough without action being taken. We need to get things done.  Residents want action. I will be that person to complete these tasks.

Other pressing issues are enforcement of our bylaws and increasing the fines, repair and completion of the Trans Canada Trail, reduction of the speed on the rural roads through road patrols and education, and stopping the illegal dumping of soil.

We, the south, need our voices heard!

Telephone

Email

Facebook

Five things you should know to start your week: Aug. 13 – Aug. 17

Here are your five things to know this week.

Clearview Council holds its bi-weekly meeting on Aug. 13 and on the agenda is the draft survey for Creemore residents on a proposed public transit route: Clearview Township municipal offices

On Aug. 13 Associate Chief Justice Frank N. Marrocco hosts a public meeting on the upcoming inquiry in Collingwood on the sale of Collus, starting at 6 p.m. Collingwood municipal offices

On Aug. 14 Multi-award winning quintet Goitse will take the stage at the Midland Cultural Centre

MID-MCCSharonShannon

The Stayner-born magician Sawyer Bullock is hosting a family magic show on Aug. 15 at 2 p.m., at the Historic Gayety Theatre on Hurontario Street.

The company developing Wasaga Beach’s municipally-owned properties in the downtown and on the beachfront is looking for your input at a meeting on Aug. 15, from 1 until 9 p.m.

Here's where Fram will start developing Wasaga's downtown

Shelly Skinner – Barrie Ward 8

Meet Shelly Skinner  Candidate for Ward 8

 Since moving to Ward 8’s Allandale area from the GTA in 2012, I quickly fell in love with the connectivity and lifestyle Barrie has to offer. It’s the perfect city to raise a family and my two children, Jade and Lucius, and our dog Jersey couldn’t agree more.

I’ve immersed myself in the community and the culture – truly living Barrie’s slogan “well connected.” I’ve taken on the responsibility to be a voice for and support those who are marginalized.

Community involvement has been a key focus for me, both on a professional level and as a dedicated volunteer. Through event planning and fundraising, I have helped to raise over $100,000 for community organizations such as the Women and Children’s Shelter of Barrie, Redwood Park Communities, and Barrie Pride.

As a 2018 recipient of the Leading Women, Leading Girls Building Communities Award, I’ve dedicated myself to improving my community and the lives of women, children and marginalized groups.

This year, the Ontario Trillium Foundation chose me to speak on diversity inclusion; I was a keynote/rally speaker and MC for International Women’s Day events organized by Barrie Women and Children’s Shelter and Georgian College; I was MC for various City events including the Barrie Arts Awards and the Black History Month Women of Colour Panel; and, I was a panelist for the EGALE –  Canada Human Rights Trust conference in Toronto.

I love my city, but I know it needs work to become one of the greatest cities in Canada. I feel strongly that diversity and inclusion, accessibility, affordable housing, growth in arts and culture and community togetherness are the key issues that need more focus from local government.

I can no longer sit on the sidelines. As a cty councillor and community changemaker, I will be a strong voice for the community and many residents who are just not being heard.

Connect with Shelly:

• Website 

• Email 

• Social media:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Hashtags:

#Greatfor8  

#ShellyforWard8

Nathaniel Brown — SMCDSB trustee Barrie Wards 1-5

I studied pre-health at Georgian College, and previously worked for a number of years as a lifeguard and swim instructor at the City of Barrie’s rec centres. In these roles, I got to learn exactly how important proper teaching, mentoring, and support are in a kid’s development.

While I currently work in the hospitality industry, creating the conditions for kids to succeed has always been a priority for me, which is why I am running to be your school trustee.

People pay attention to the mayor and councillor campaigns, but trustee races are often forgotten, resulting in people picking the first name on the ballot without knowing who they are.

I’m running to change that, so that you know when you see my name on the ballot, you know voting for me will allow me to bring specific, realistic goals that a trustee can actually implement.

My priorities as your trustee will be to:

1) Support teachers who champion extracurriculars

There is nothing “extra about extracurriculars. Sports, arts, leadership activities: they are all vital programs that help develop students into happy, healthy, productive adults, and should be treated as a priority and supported. As trustee, I will lobby the school board to ensure that teachers who take on extracurriculars after hours have proper equipment, supplies and resources to make sure these programs succeed and provide students with meaningful experiences.

2) Fund breakfast programs

Students cannot properly absorb what they are learning and think critically in the morning if they are running on the fumes of what they ate the previous night for dinner, if they even ate the night before. Eating sugary junk food doesn’t solve the issue, either. As your trustee, I will move motions to properly fund breakfast programs at every school with nutritious options. Every student, whether they don’t have food at home or simply just forgot that morning, needs to know that they can use the program anytime without questions.

Police seek help finding Bradford’s Christian Robinson, missing since June

It’s been one month since Christian Robinson went missing and investigators are once again reaching out for information.

The 46-year-old Bradford resident was last seen leaving his house in the 6th Line and Simcoe Road area at about 3:30 p.m. on June 12.

He has not been seen or heard from since and was reported missing to South Simcoe police the following day.

Robinson is described as white, five-foot-ten with short brown hair and tattoos.

He was last seen wearing a grey golf shirt with a yellow and white pattern covering the chest, grey shorts, flip flops and glasses.

Anyone with information that can help find him is asked to contact the South Simcoe Police Service criminal investigation bureau at 905-775-3311 or 705-436-2141. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).



Blue Mountains library CEO earns new degree

Sabrina Saunders, CEO of The Blue Mountains public library, recently received her Master of Library and Information Sciences Degree (M.L.I.S.). 

She completed the requirements for the degree in April, and on June 20 she walked across the stage at the University of Western Ontario graduation ceremony to receive her degree.

Saunders adds this degree to a Ph.D in Theory & Policy Studies (University of Toronto), a Bachelor of Science in Childhood Education, a Master of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies, a Master of Science in Student Personnel Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology (Buffalo State University).

Saunders models professional development to all of her staff, and inspires those around in her pursuit of lifelong learning.