THE WEEK AHEAD: Meetings In Welland

Meeting Calendar

Meetings are open to the public unless otherwise noted. Information is obtained from the applicable agency, board, committee, or commission and downloaded to this calendar as it becomes available. Information is subject to change. Please check back often for the most up-to-date information, including cancellations.

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April

3

Senior Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting  ≫

4:00 PM Monday Apr. 3  2017 –
Welland Community Wellness Complex, 145 Lincoln Street

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4

Nominating Committee Meeting  ≫

6:05 PM Tuesday Apr. 4  2017 –
Council Ante Room

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4

Council Meeting in Committee-of-the-Whole In-camera (Closed to the Public),  ≫

6:10 PM Tuesday Apr. 4  2017 – to discuss the following:

• Proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board.
  – Central Fire Hall.

in the Council Ante Room

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4

Council Meeting, in Open Session,  ≫

7:00 PM Tuesday Apr. 4  2017 –

• Legislated Public Hearing(s) Pursuant to the Planning Act.

in the Council Chambers

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5

Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council Meeting  ≫

4:30 PM Wednesday Apr. 5  2017 –
Welland Community Wellness Complex, 145 Lincoln Street

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5

City of Welland Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting  ≫

5:00 PM Wednesday Apr. 5  2017 –
– Civic Square, Room 108 or 109

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6

Welland Community Wellness Complex Advisory Committee Meeting  ≫

3:00 PM Thursday Apr. 6  2017 –
Welland Community Wellness Complex, 145 Lincoln Street

City Shorts, Try ’em On For Size

 

CITY SHORTS ART: Always a popular event at our Welland market. (Supplied graphic)

Compilation by Joe Barkovich, Scribbler-at-large

City Shorts

City Shorts is a compilation, from various sources (government websites, news announcements, press releases, church bulletins, advertisements, community service information and events, bulletin boards, requests, telephone requests, web postings, email requests etc.) of short items (in most cases) about matters of local interest in Welland.Want to submit an item for consideration? Please send to: joe0606barko@gmail.com

 NIAGARA COLLEGE A HOST VENUE FOR SOME CANADA SUMMER GAMES EVENTS

WELLAND – Niagara College president Dan Patterson joined community leaders in Toronto on Thursday to hear the announcement that Niagara was named the Canada Summer Games host for 2021.

Niagara edged out three other communities in the short list of the bid process – Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge, Ottawa and Sudbury.

“This is a win-win for athletes and the entire community of Niagara,” said Patterson. “Everyone in the area came together to support the bid and showcase all of the great venues, people and talent we have to offer in Niagara.”

Niagara College will be the host venue for a number of events and activities around the Games, including:

-Games’ broadcasting centre; Games’ media centre, practice and alternate basketball games site; and residential housing for technical officials for South Niagara sports locations – at the Welland campus; and,

-Residential housing for technical officials for North Niagara sports locations – at the Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake campus residences.

In addition, NC will be involved in the Human Legacy Plan for Niagara, a project spearheaded by NC’s associate vice-president, academic and learner services, David Veres. These initiatives support job opportunities for students and recent graduates, placement internships and course-based projects.

Patterson said the College and community have a lot to look forward to: “the College’s hands-on learning approach opens up opportunities to support development and delivery of a world-class games.”

PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT ON GO-QUIET BYLAW

WELLAND – Residents and businesses are invited to share their thoughts on potential changes to the City of Welland’s existing Go Quiet By-Law, which prohibits motorized craft on the Welland Recreational Waterway outside of special use exemptions for safety purposes.

Fourth and last meeting: Thursday, April 6 @ 7pm.

Meetings take place in the Theatre at the Welland Community Wellness Complex (145 Lincoln Street).

For further information contact info@canalcorp.ca

CITY COMMENCES STREET-SWEEPING PROGRAM

WELLAND –The City of Welland Public Works Division is underway with the street sweeping program of city roadways. Although this program has the potential to pause due to weather related conditions, staff anticipate the program will take approximately four to six weeks to complete.

This year’s program consists of cleaning 19 zones as identified on the sweeping map index. Work will commence within zone one and will continue systematically to zone 19. Curb lines within cul-de-sacs will be swept, and further followed up with another sweeping in the cul-de-sac center areas as required.

Sweeping creates a healthier environment because it reduces dust and other airborne contaminants. Vince Beaudoin, General Foreman of Public Works says the street sweepers help reduce the amount of material that gets washed into the storm water system, which ultimately leads to the canal, river, and creeks. “Removing loose material from the roadway also ensures safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers,” said Beaudoin.

City staff ask for community cooperation with the street sweeping program, in order to make Welland an even healthier cleaner city to live in. For inquiries regarding the city’s street sweeping please contact Public Works at 905 735-1700 Ext. 3000.

How can you help?

Please refrain from parking your vehicles on the road during this period;

Please refrain from sweeping your driveway and sidewalk debris onto the roadway;

Do not sweep the gutter or edge of road material into pile;

Please remove hockey and basketball nets from the edge of the road.

ANNUAL SPRING CLEANUP AT HOLY CROSS

WELLAND – Holy Cross Cemetery’s annual spring cleanup, starts on Tuesday, April 18.

All wreaths, tin cans, glass jars, flower pots, and similar articles not removed, will be disposed of on April 18.

If anyone is unable to pick up their wreaths etc. by that date they can call the cemetery at 905 734-4172 and make arrangements for the staff to hold the articles for a short period until they are able to come to the cemetery to pick them up.

UKRAINIAN EGG PAINTING

WELLAND –-Learn how to dye and decorate Easter eggs with traditional Ukrainian folk designs at the Welland Public Library’s Main Branch at 50 The Boardwalk in Welland. Date: Tuesday, April 4, 7pm.

All tools and supplies will be provided. Just bring yourself, a friend if you can and excitement for learning a new crafting skill. This program is FREE but space is very limited so  register online at wellandlibrary.ca or by calling the Welland Library at 905-734-6210 ext. 2521 for more details.

R.M.S. TITANIC ANNIVERSARY PRESENTATION AT LIBRARY

WELLAND –April 14, 2017 will mark the 105th anniversary of the sinking of the R.M.S Titanic.

Hosted by the Welland Public Library, join an evening of exploration and discovery in the Community Room of the Welland Civic Square at 60 East Main Street in Welland, Tuesday, April 11, 7pm.

View authentic artifacts and memorabilia, watch rare video footage, uncover little known facts and participate in a Q & A with the expert.

Presented by Wayne J. Tuttle, collector/historian for over 40 years, and a member of Toastmasters International & Speakers Bureau. For more information about this free event, please contact the Welland Library at 905-734-6210 ext. 2521.

Farewell To Richard Wagamese

Richard Wagamese

Celebrated Ojibway author and journalist Richard Wagamese passed away at 61 earlier this month.

The troubled path of his early life was altered through the kindness of a St. Catharines librarian. Read his obituary and the story.

(Source: Welland Public Library website)

Biz Mag Spotlights Welland For 400,000

 

Welland shines in words, images in mag’s special report. (Supplied photo)

WELLAND – The March/April issue of Business View Magazine is spotlighting the City of Welland to over 400,000 subscribers throughout North America and beyond.

The full-colour feature titled “Welland, Ontario: Bridging the Past, Present, and Future” is part of the magazine’s City View section, which profiles best practices of ‘Communities on the Grow’ across Canada and the US.

Visit the city’s website and click on the magazine’s cover to read the article.

(Source: City of Welland news release)

Sign Language

With Holy Week approaching, a timely message outside this church in Welland, Ontario. Sign Language is a recurring feature on the blog. (Photo by Joe Barkovich)

Scholarship Fundraiser Concert Features Diverse Local Musicians

WELLAND (Special) – The Welland-Port Colborne branch of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association (ORMTA) is hosting a student scholarship fund-raising concert Saturday, April 8 at 7 pm at Central United Church, 12 Young Street, Welland. It features a variety of skilled local musicians playing selections from diverse genres of music including classical, opera, jazz, and musical theatre.

Featured performers include Cynthia Vermeer, flute; Sarah McKean, clarinet; Ryan Baxter, piano; Vicki Vlassis-Radulovich, mezzo-soprano; Bill Outred, organ/piano, Brian Mosior, baritone; Ted Ellis, piano; Emilio and Antonio Geremia, piano and more local talent.

Admission is $15 per person, $30 for family of four. Tickets are available at the door, or from your local ORMTA member teacher.

All proceeds go to the Student Scholarship Fund of the Welland-Port Colborne ORMTA, which awards scholarships in order to encourage and assist those pursuing musical studies.

The branch currently sponsors several scholarships annually which are awarded to performers in select classes of the Port Colborne Festival of the Arts each spring. As well, scholarships are awarded to musicians studying with ORMTA members who earn marks of 80% or more on instrumental, vocal and theory examinations through Royal Conservatory of Music, Conservatory Canada, or Canadian National Conservatory of Music.

The Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association (ORMTA) is a not-for-profit provincial organization which aims to encourage and provide the highest calibre of music education possible and to promote exceptional standards of music in each community.

The Welland-Port Colborne branch, in addition to awarding scholarships, hosts student recitals several times a year, as well as occasional workshops.

What! More Misery Ahead!

Statements

6:53 AM EDT Wednesday 29 March 2017
Special weather statement in effect for:

• Niagara Falls – Welland – Southern Niagara Region
• St. Catharines – Grimsby – Northern Niagara Region

March ends on a wintery note for some, and a wet one for others.

A developing low pressure system over Texas is setting its sights on Southern Ontario. It will slowly track towards the lower Great Lakes later Thursday and linger on Friday.

Rain is forecast to begin Thursday for much of Southwestern Ontario reaching the Golden Horseshoe later in the day. It is expected to change to snow in some areas, and then to freezing rain Thursday night north and west of Toronto. Several millimetres of freezing rain are possible Thursday night especially over the higher terrain of the Dundalk Highlands and above the Niagara escarpment from Kitchener-Guelph north through Orangeville and Shelburne. Snow amounts of 5 to perhaps 10 centimetres are also possible from Southern Georgian Bay and eastwards to the north of Lake Ontario by Friday. Those in the Greater Toronto Area in closer proximity to Lake Ontario, as well as most of Southwestern Ontario, should receive mostly rain.

Most areas should change to rain by Friday, with some significant rainfall totals of 25 to 40 mm possible before it begins to taper off Friday night.

Travel may become hazardous in areas which receive freezing rain or snowfall Thursday night. Warnings will likely be required.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ec.cpio-tempetes-ospc-storms.ec@canada.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.

Welland Adding 150th Time Capsule To Canada Day

Mayor Campion: “The time capsule is a legacy for Welland residents. They have the opportunity to submit their names and a bit of advice for those living in 2067,” (File photo/Joe Barkovich)

WELLAND — The City of Welland is adding a unique endeavour to this year’s 150^th celebrations by honouring Welland residents and celebrating their legacy through a 2017 commemorative sesquicentennial time capsule. Residents are invited to stop by Welland Civic Square between April 4, and June 29, to add their name to the time capsule, and give a small piece of advice to future residents. The time capsule will also be on display at the May 21, Victoria Day Celebrations so residents will have the opportunity to stop by the 150^th booth to fill out a name card for inclusion in the time capsule.

The time capsule is scheduled to be buried at Civic Square on July 1, 2017, during the city’s Canada Day celebrations. A plaque to commemorate Canada’s sesquicentennial and Welland’s centennial year of incorporation as a city will mark the site. The time capsule and plaque will remind residents to look forward to the future, while continuing to embrace the past.

Welland Mayor Frank Campion feels that a 50 year time capsule is a compliment the city’s Canada Day signature events, and will engage citizens in this year’s celebrations. “The time capsule is a legacy for Welland residents. They have the opportunity to submit their names and a bit of advice for those living in 2067,” said Campion. “When Welland’s future staff and residents open the capsule they will discover who Welland residents were, and the guidance they felt essential to forward to our future residents,” said Campion.

 Welland’s 150^th Committee is eager to celebrate Welland’s past, present, and future, with an array of events and festivities. Chair of the 150^th Committee, Debi Katsmar says the time capsule is an excellent addition to the Canada Day festivities. “It is fitting that on July 1,  Mayor Frank Campion and the City of Welland will provide a means of celebrating Welland’s heritage on a day that not only marks Canada’s 150^th, but also celebrates 100 years since the incorporation of the City of Welland,” said Katsmar.  “It is truly an occasion to be remembered for all residents of Welland going forward.”

Time capsule details:

• Time capsule will include names of residents, along with small piece of advice to future residents
• Residents can submit information to the time capsule at Welland Civic Square between April 4, and June 29, (Monday to Friday – 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or at Welland’s Victoria Day Celebrations on May 21.
• Time capsule will be buried on July 1, 2017 to celebrate Canada’s sesquicentennial and Welland’s centennial of incorporation as a city
• Burial will take place at Civic Square
• Time capsule is scheduled for opening on July 1, 2067

(Source: City of Welland news release)

Sunday Dinner

Whitebreasted nuthatches enjoy their dinner of peanuts. sunflower seeds and other treats on Welland’s enchanting Merritt Island, on Sunday, March 26 afternoon. (Photos by Joe Barkovich)

City Shorts, Try ’em On For Size

(Supplied graphic/City of Welland)

Compilation by Joe Barkovich, Scribbler-at-large

City Shorts

City Shorts is a compilation, from various sources (government websites, news announcements, press releases, church bulletins, advertisements, community service information and events, bulletin boards, requests, telephone requests, web postings, email requests etc.) of short items (in most cases) about matters of local interest in Welland.Want to submit an item for consideration? Please send to: joe0606barko@gmail.com

 WELLAND CANAL FALLEN WORKERS SPEAKERS SERIES

WELLAND –This popular series resumes Tuesday, March 28, 7pm with Life and Death on the Welland Ship Canal – The Untold Story of 137 Worker Fatalities.

Guest speaker, Arden Phair, will deliver an illustrated presentation on an engineering marvel of the twentieth century – the Welland Ship Canal – and the plans to build a Memorial to the men whose lives were lost during its construction. Until now, this has been an untold story of the transportation icon. The 137 fatalities between 1914 and 1935 represent one of the largest losses of life in the history of the Government of Canada infrastructure projects. This lecture combines a historical and photographic overview with the Welland Canal works as a backdrop to the Memorial project and a selection of stories about the fallen workers.

This talk will take place at 7 pm in the Community Room of Civic Square, located at 60 East Main Street in Welland. Upcoming topics are as follows:

Tuesday, April 25: Disaster on the Welland Canal: The Lock 6 Gate Collapse, 1928 by Sarah King-Head.

Tuesday, May 30: Helmet Diving from the Past by Mike Babiski.

Please register for these talks by calling the Library at 905-734-6210 ext. 2521 or through our online calendar.

SPRING OPEN HOUSE AT COLLEGE CAMPUSES

WELLAND – On Saturday, March. 25 you can Discover Niagara College at the 2017 Spring Open House from 10am to 2pm at both the Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake Campuses.

PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT ON GO-QUIET BYLAW

WELLAND – Residents and businesses are invited to share their thoughts on potential changes to the City of Welland’s existing Go Quiet By-Law, which prohibits motorized craft on the Welland Recreational Waterway outside of special use exemptions for safety purposes.

Next meeting: Tuesday, March 28, 2017 @ 7pm

Meetings take place in the Theatre at the Welland Community Wellness Complex (145 Lincoln Street).

For further information contact info@canalcorp.ca

CITY, WDBIA TO PRESENT AT EDUCATIONAL FORUM

WELLAND – The City of Welland and Welland Downtown Business Improvement Association (WDBIA) are heading to Huntsville for the 2017 Parks and Recreation Ontario Educational Forum from March 28 – 31. The City’s Community Development Coordinator, Sarah Ane, along with WDBIA’s Executive Director, Stephanie Hicks, are joint presenters at the Forum. Ane and Hicks were invited to present to the conference’s attendees on the socio-economic benefits of public-private partnerships.

The City and WDBIA began a partnership in 2016 when the municipality and downtown organization joined resources to host the Canada Day celebrations in the downtown core. The partnership blossomed to other projects, and initiated a relationship based on similar community goals. As presenters, Ane and Hicks will promote a partnership framework and the advantages of municipalities collaborating with the private community.

Sarah Ane, City of Welland Community Development Coordinator, says partnering with the WDBIA has introduced a new vibrancy in the downtown core and helped to engage residential and business communities. “We want to highlight the positive relationship we are building with the Downtown BIA and the incredible things we have been able to accomplish together. We’re proud to be sharing this expanding relationship with municipalities across the province, and hope they will look at it as a model of what the recreation and business communities can accomplish together,” said Ane.

Stephanie Hicks, WDBIA Executive Director, is excited to set an example and demonstrate a successful community partnership model.

LIVE SCREENING OF THE ART OF BELONGING

WELLAND –Partners for Planning (P4P) and the Welland Public Library present a live screening of “The Art of Belonging”  Thursday, March 30 7pm in the Main Branch lounge or upstairs in the Community Room for this live-stream TEDx-inspired talk that features six diverse speakers who offer unique perspectives on the importance of community and belonging.

P4P is a non-profit organization that provides families with free resources to help plan the best possible life for loved ones with disabilities.

To register, email mbestward@wellandlibrary.ca or visit our website Events Calendar.

ANNUAL SPRING CLEANUP AT HOLY CROSS

WELLAND – Holy Cross Cemetery’s annual spring cleanup, starts on Tuesday, April 18.

All wreaths, tin cans, glass jars, flower pots, and similar articles not removed, will be disposed of on April 18.  If anyone is unable to pick up their wreaths etc. by that date they can call the cemetery at 905 734-4172 and make arrangements for the staff to hold the articles for a short period until they are able to come to the cemetery to pick them up.

CREATIVE CARD CONTEST

WELLAND – Calling all artists!

Welland Public Library wants to put YOUR artwork on its new library cards. Submit your best original art to Creative Cards Contest for a chance to win amazing prizes and have your work featured on the library’s new line of cards.

Guidelines:

One entry per person.

Two age categories: under 18 and 18+

Must be a resident of Welland

Images should be a standard size (5” x 7”, 8” x 10”). If selected, the image will be scaled down to library card size (2 1/8” x 3 3/8”). Physical artwork should not exceed 8 ½” x 14”.

No restrictions on colour or materials. Physical and electronic artwork will be accepted.

The image doe not have to be library-related. Wow us with your creativity!

The deadline for submissions is Saturday, May 20, 2017.

To submit: Drop your artwork off at any WPL branch and fill out a submission form.

Submissions may also be emailed to cechlin@wellandlibrary.ca. Files must be .jpeg or .tiff format, 300 DPI, and must not exceed 10 megabytes. A completed submission form must be received along with your submission (either fill out a form at the library or attach the completed form to your email). The form is available at http://wellandlibrary.ca/forms-publications/forms/.

Winners will be chosen by the library’s Art & Signage Committee and will be announced in late May.  Questions? Contact Conor Echlin at cechlin@wellandlibrary.ca.

TIME’S RUNNING OUT TO NOMINATE!

WELLAND – Nominations are open for the 2017 T. Roy Adams Humanitarian of the Year Award.

Residents can view criteria for the award and submit nominations online at niagararegion.ca/government/awards-bursaries.

The award honours the memory of the late Councillor T. Roy Adams and is presented annually to a current resident of Niagara who best exemplifies Roy’s values and dedication to community service; a person who sees volunteerism as an integral part of their life.

Last year’s recipient was Welland resident Paul Turner. Roy Adams was an eminent Niagaran, well known throughout the Region, Canada, and abroad for his service to God, his country and his fellow citizens. More info: Contact Darrell Neufeld, Niagara Region, 905-980-6000 ext. 3813.