Report to Ratepayers and Residents - July 2015

Even though the summer moves slowly for a lot of people, work in and around the Township continues at its usual pace. Warmer, drier weather means brushing and road repairs. The start of the vacation season also marks the return of seasonal residents, and busier times in local shops and stores, as well as public facilities, like beaches and landfills.

Council has been busy on a number of priorities, and I’m happy to share with you some of what’s been going on.

Raymo Road First, as many of you may know, the end of June saw a major issue with Raymo Road, just to the south of where it connects to Wagarville Road. Two separate incidents occurred within a couple of days, and have seen a collapse of two large culverts that were positioned a couple of yards apart.

These situations are challenging. On one hand, the law obligates us to investigate and to repair the road in a specific way, which might take some time. On the other hand, the closure of any road for any length of time causes a great deal of inconvenience and hardship for those who depend on it. For myself and others, getting the road reopened as quickly as possible is our top priority, but how it’s done is not a small detail either.

Within hours of the engineering report being issued, Council convened to approve the recommended repair and to order new culverts. We have also given direction that once the new culverts arrive, the priority must be to get them in place and get the road reopened. While we are sometimes at the mercy of suppliers and their time frames, our commitment is to make sure that we do our part of the job quickly and effectively.

Parham Fire Hall Within days, the RFP (Request for Proposals) process for tendering the construction of the new firehall will end and we will finally see shovels in the ground. This was a major priority for me during the election, and I am gratified to see that we will have a new facility in 2015.

I have spoken with some who are concerned about the location, and that it is a little further out of the village. The choice of location was influenced by a number of factors – what was available, as well as what was suitable for building. The choice made was, I believe, the best option on offer. In theory, there may have been more ideal locations, but one can only choose what is available. Waiting for the perfect place may very well have delayed the project by months, or years.

As we go further in the project, we will want to ensure that this is a facility that works for our firefighters. We depend on their commitment and sacrifice, and it is crucial that the new hall is suitable to their needs.

A Personal Note: While I do not think that my personal life is that much of an interest to the folks of Hinchinbrooke and Central Frontenac, I do wish to share something which, I believe, is important for two reasons.

Over the past month or so, I have been quite ill. For a period of time, I was pretty much bedridden. After one fruitless trip to the hospital, I managed to see my doctor. She, along with a colleague, determined that I contracted Lyme Disease, and have been treating me as such. A blood test has confirmed same.

The good news is that the medication is working and that I will be able to resume my ‘normal’ life.

I mentioned two reasons for sharing, so here they are:

1. My sincerest apologies for not being able to attend a number of functions, or delays in being available. As a councillor, I know you depend on me, and it frustrated me not being able to respond as quickly as I might have otherwise; and,

2. Lyme Disease is a real concern for this area, and occurrences in southeastern Ontario are on the rise. Anyone in Central Frontenac Township who spends any length of time in wooded areas can get a tick bite and catch Lyme. It is not a pleasant thing, and it can leave you incapacitated. I was lucky to get treated quickly, but I was also lucky to have a doctor who caught it early. Please take care when out of doors – check for ticks, use insect repellant, and see a doctor if you get a tick bite or experience any of the typical symptoms of the disease.

Until next time, stay well.