Councillor McCann Meeting Report (December 3, 2024)

Downtown Quality Experience Committee Meeting
On Monday afternoon, November 25, 2024, I attended the Downtown Quality Experience Committee Meeting at the fire hall.  This was our second meeting.  We discussed more at length ideas and suggestions which came up at our inaugural meeting.  To this, Dave Thompson will be bringing forth a report and motion at our next Council Meeting with a modest request for funding in the 2025 budget.  This will cover wide area cameras and waste receptacles. Strategies were discussed for the implementation of storefront cameras. The clearing of invasive species and overgrowth for safety and security was talked about, the latter to mitigate criminal activity.  We talked about enhanced lighting, availability of social services support, particularly with assisting homeless individuals.  The committee is advocating in the town’s draft official plan that would encourage through policy only true retail establishments on Seguin and James.  Businesses which are service oriented would be planned for Gibson and Miller Streets. The vision for the core downtown is one of a vibrant retail experience.  For safety and security window coverings should be effectively minimized in the downtown core.  In long-term planning, the team advocates for a social services hub eliminating the need for individual storefront locations in the downtown core including Children’s Aid and the O.A.T.C.

Be A Santa to A Senior
Be a Santa to a Senior!  As an extension to "The Kindness Project" this is the 13th Annual event.  Recognizing older adults all year through and sponsored by the West Parry Sound District Community Support Services (CSS) our senior population benefits in many ways, everything from Meals On Wheels, Friendly Visiting, Lunch & Learn, Day Programs, Exercise Programs, Transportation and so much more.

Give the gift of your time.  Agree to spend an hour or two a month visiting with a CSS senior.  Play a game, walk or chat and enjoy a coffee together.  Be a Santa to a Senior and "The Kindness Project" will respond to miscellaneous requests from seniors, including social connections for personal and meaningful activities and home help for fall prevention, accessibility and safety issues.  You can share a coffee or a meal, help with puzzles, provide personal care gifts, help with indoor and outdoor activity and so much more. You can bring good cheer and socialization with personal visits.  The need is here and it's growing steadily.

Learn more about "The Kindness Project" and consider getting involved as a volunteer, and/or a donor!  Volunteers make a world of difference to our seniors and such a great quality of life.  Learn more by visiting The West Parry Sound Community Support Services and read about the "Be a Santa to a Senior" initiative and how you can help twelve months of the year.

West Parry Sound District Museum Monthly Board Meeting
On Thursday evening, November 28, 2024, there was to have been a West Parry Sound District Museum Monthly Board Meeting however it was cancelled due to lack of business required at the time.