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Penetanguishene takes out two loans for combined $13.2 million

Penetanguishene council has authorized the issuing of debentures for the $9.4 million outstanding on the Philip H. Jones Pollution Control Plant and $3.8 million of the Main Street reconstruction project.

Financing for the $9.4 million will be undertaken through a 30-year loan with an interest rate of 3.46 per cent per annum. Semi-annual payments of $252,686 will be made from July 16, 2018 to July 16, 2048.

The pollution control plant recently received $28.2 million worth of renovations, which included a new headworks facility, removal and replacement of the chlorination system, a new biosolid thickening and process building, addition storage facilities, improved air and noise controls and an increase in capacity.

The renovations improve the facilities capacity from 4.5 million litres per day to 5.25 million litres per day.

A 30-year loan with an interest rate of 3.46 per annum will also be secured for the estimated $3.8 million remaining on the Main Street reconstruction project. Annual repayments are estimated at $204,560 beginning in 2019.

The total cost of the reconstruction project is estimated at $10.7 million. Of that, $3.5 million was paid via a small communities fund grant, $1.3 million through taxation, $1.05 million through water and wastewater rates, $502,955 through development charges and $782,874 through reserves.

Harry Hughes — Oro-Medonte mayor

Albert Einstein’s words “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile” explains the desire to continue serving the residents of Oro-Medonte as their mayor.

The mayor’s role parallels that of a mechanic using all the tools at hand to find cost effective practical solutions.

I grew up on a farm where neighbours with limited resources, worked together. They overcame challenges through hard work and creative thinking.

These experiences established a solid foundation for the role of mayor.

Similar to having been a school principal, being mayor is mainly about assisting others.

Successes are celebrated as a collective family. This is achieved through active community participation and doing well beyond what is expected.

Extensive involvement in community building through sports resulted in being

recognized as Oro-Medonte Coach of the Year.

I was recognized with a National Award for Innovative Use of Technology.

This distinction resulted by applying the learning from a master’s degree in measurement and evaluation from the University of Toronto with actual experience.

While mayor, our councils have fulfilled every election promise.

Roads have been paved providing tremendous environmental and economic benefits. Our arena has been revitalized. A new school has been announced.

Quality and specialized health care is closer to home. Venturing outside the normal scope of a mayor’s duties by being the first municipality to utilize crowd funding was a novel approach for rescuing the historic African Church.

Yet, Oro-Medonte has retained its tax position in the lower third of all Simcoe County municipalities.

Being deputy warden of Simcoe County, chairing the audit and the governance committees for two multimillion dollar corporations has proven valuable.

The upcoming issues to champion include: more affordable and accessible internet services, even greater attention to road improvements, updating our Official Plan, enabling seniors to downsize and remain in Oro-Medonte, resolving the Airbnb challenges and ensuring community volunteers get more support.

Re-electing an experienced mayor with proven leadership will keep Oro-Medonte on the right course.

Home 705-487-2128, cell 705-229-8896.

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Southern Georgian Bay OPP opens new office in Port McNicoll

Southern Georgian Bay OPP has opened up a new extended-service office in Port McNicoll.

A small two-desk office has been created inside a large brick building at , just north of the Tay Community Rink.

“The new (office) provides greater efficiencies for the township and its citizens, along with maintaining community engagement through better visibility and increase contact with the community by OPP officers,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Burton.

This office is not a staffed police station and officers will not be there at all times. It will serve a convenient location for officers on patrol in Tay Township to complete reports, make calls and meet with members of the community.

Burton doesn’t want residents in the area to rely on the office always having an officer available. However, if a police cruiser is parked out front, residents are welcome to knock on the door and ask for assistance.

The OPP had been working out of another building in Port McNicoll, but it no longer met their needs. The township helped find them a new location.

“Tay Township is pleased to celebrate the grand opening of this newly relocated extended service office,” said Mayor Scott Warnock. “We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with the OPP.”

Wasaga-based film fest cancels gala, but awards go on

The curtain has fallen on this Saturday’s gala event for the annual South Georgian Bay Film Festival — but the show will go on.

Festival board chair Kevin DeAbreu said a decision was made on the weekend to cancel the gala due to poor ticket sales.

However, a view-and-vote event at Country Life Resort on July 11 will proceed, and the winners will be announced on July 14 after viewer votes are tabulated with the judges’ scores.

The event, now in its second year as the South Georgian Bay Film Festival, received 35 entries and held a view-and-vote event at the Simcoe Street Theatre on the weekend.

“We will revisit the gala scenario for next year,” DeAbreu said. “We take it in stride, and we view everything as a learning experience.

“The qualities of the films are amazing, far improved from previous years with many repeat entrants,” he said. “We truly do believe that the South Georgian Bay Film Festival is well on its way to becoming an ‘established stop’ for both national and international film makers, as well as local youth.”

For more on the festival, go to .