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Haldimand County Public Library hosting 9th annual Poetry Contest

Haldimand County Public Library invites residents of all ages to get creative and participate in its 9th annual poetry contest, to be held throughout the month of April.

This year’s theme is “Back to Nature”. The Library encourages entrants to express through poetry how nature impacts and inspires them, how they connect with nature, or how their actions effect the natural environment.

Entry forms, and a full list of rules and submission details can be obtained on the library’s website or at any library branch. Submissions can be made in person at any branches or can be submitted online.

Submissions will be accepted during the month of April and entered to win cash prizes in one of the following categories:

  • Primary – Kindergarten to Gr. 3
  • Junior – Gr. 4 to Gr. 6
  • Intermediate – Gr. 7 to Gr. 10
  • Senior – Gr. 11 – 12
  • Adult – age 18+

Judging will take place at the beginning of May by a library-chosen panel. First, second and third-place prizes will be awarded in each category. First prize will receive $50, second prize will receive $35 and third prize will receive $20. Winners will be announced in mid-May.

Individuals with further questions about the 9th Annual April Poetry Contest may call or visit their local library branch. Branch hours and contact numbers can be found on the library’s website.

Haldimand County Council approves 2022 Tax-Supported Operating Budget

On March 31, 2022, Haldimand County Council reviewed and approved the 2022 Tax-Supported Operating Budget. The budget results in a total levy requirement of $76,221,100, which equates to a residential tax impact of 2.29%.

Generally, the annual Tax-Supported Operating Budget pays for day to day operations of the County, including salaries, wages, utilities, insurance and services such as running arenas/programming, maintaining locals parks and cemeteries, providing emergency services (fire, police and ambulance), the collection of garbage and related activities.

“Despite significant financial challenges related to economic factors beyond the county’s control, staff have worked hard to develop a budget that is aligned with Council’s priorities and mindful of the challenges our ratepayers are facing,” said Mark Merritt, General Manager of Financial & Data Services.

Major factors that influenced the 2022 Tax-Supporting Budget include external financial pressures (higher costs of materials, supply chain issues, increased inflation), as well as increases to costs associated with insurance, policing and contracted services (e.g. winter maintenance).

CAO Craig Manley noted that while the Operating Budget initially represented a 7% increase for ratepayers, staff conducted a rigorous review of controllable costs and only brought forward new initiatives that would negatively impact standards of service or health and safety if they were not included.

Manley also emphasized the positive impact of increased assessment from growth in 2021 – nearly $2.0 million or 2.73% – that has helped alleviate the tax burden and achieve the final recommended tax increase for 2022.

“The 2022 Tax-Supported Operating Budget represents a financially sustainable plan that responsibly manages taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars while addressing current and emergent needs of our growing community,” said Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt.

“Thanks to the continued hard work of staff, we have once again been able to meet the Council-approved tax increase target of 2% annually, a goal that was established in 2018 at the beginning of this Term,” Hewitt added.

Highlights of the 2022 Tax-Supported Operating Budget include:

  • introducing new, permanent staffing resources to address organizational needs, respond to growth and meet service levels expected by residents (including up-staffing paramedic services to address response time standards);
  • proceeding with the Council-approved reorganization of the IT division to prioritize the enhancement of public-facing services (i.e. on-line and self-serve tax information), increase efficiencies and strengthen cybersecurity;
  • funding the continuation of successful economic development, tourism & culture-focused activities, including the successful Paddle Art Tour Haldimand (PATH) and Haldimand County Geocache Tour;
  • maintaining the enhanced levels of portable washroom cleaning and facilities put in place at public parks when the pandemic started in support of tourism and increased community use, and;
  • increasing funding for the proper asset management of existing social housing stock in the County and to financially support a new affordable housing build in Dunnville – a priority set by Council for this term.

On average, a residential property owner can expect their annual property taxes to be allocated as follows:

A chart indicating annual property tax allocations by service.

Haldimand County re-introducing ‘Clean and Green’ program ahead of Earth Day

Haldimand County is committed to investing in programs and partnerships that contribute to the vibrancy and health of its communities. In addition to offering Community Partnership Program capital grants, Community Beautification grants and related supports, Haldimand County provides support to community groups and individuals who wish to lead community clean-up activities.

The County provides supplies like gloves, garbage/recycling bags, pickers, brooms, vandalism wipes and other items to those who wish to lead a community clean-up day(s). The County will also coordinate for waste to be picked up once the clean-up is complete!

Check out the new, simplified Clean & Green application online at HaldimandCounty.ca/Clean-and-Green/.

Anyone seeking further information about Haldimand County’s Clean and Green Program is encouraged to call 905-318-5932, ext. 6119 or e-mail Haldimand County’s Community Development & Partnerships Division at cdp@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

Haldimand County Invites Residents to In-Person Sessions About Community & Recreation Facilities Strategy on April 4 & 5

Four in-person public consultations are scheduled for April 4 and 5 as Haldimand County continues developing its long-term Community & Recreation Facilities Strategy. The drop-in sessions are scheduled as follows:

Monday, April 4; 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Cayuga Memorial Arena, McSorley Room
Monday, April 4; 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Caledonia LIONS Community Centre
Tuesday, April 5; 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Jarvis Lions Community Centre
Tuesday, April 5; 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Dunnville Community Lifespan Centre

All sessions will be hosted in keeping with pandemic-associated public health guidelines at that time.

“Haldimand County received 2,000 responses to the community survey about this initiative,” says Mayor Ken Hewitt, “which is likely the greatest response received to any public consultation we’ve done in recent years. This just confirms to Council the importance of this issue to residents and users of our community and recreation facilities and services.”

The Strategy — which focuses on facilities that support activities such as aquatics, sports, health, wellness, arts and culture — is being developed in consultation with Monteith Brown Planning Consultants of London, ON.

“Now that we’re able to host public engagement sessions again, we’re hoping residents who may not have had an opportunity to take the survey will come out to see what might be possible and share their thoughts,” adds Hewitt.

While the Strategy will be strongly informed by public input about recreation preferences, it will also include recommendations about financial feasibility of potential locations and types of facilities. This might include repurposing existing sites or facilities or entering into partnerships to address service and programming preferences and trends.

Find out more about the project on the County’s website or contact us at RecStrategy@HaldimandCounty.on.ca if you have questions or want to provide input into the process.

Haldimand County Community Paramedic Program making a difference locally

Haldimand County’s Community Paramedic Program continues to make an impact locally, and thanks to $4.3 million from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, the program will continue – fully-funded – for the next 2.5 years.

The Community Paramedic Program was initiated in March 2021 with the goal of connecting vulnerable or homebound patients to health and community services. Since its launch, the program has grown to serve 160 clients across Haldimand who would otherwise experience challenges accessing vital services.

The program’s primary focus is helping at-risk individuals and older adults remain at home longer and maintain independence while waiting for long-term care. Without the support of community paramedics, many of these individuals would wind up in hospital due to their inability to access care.

Regular home care visits, medication checks and ongoing monitoring of medical conditions by community paramedics help mitigate medical complications for these residents and reduce the likelihood of severe conditions requiring 911 response and hospitalization.

“We are incredibly proud of our community paramedic team and grateful to the province for additional funding that will help us reach more residents in need,” stated Jason Gallagher, Haldimand County’s Manager of Emergency Services and Fire Chief.

“Whether we are visiting someone to perform a medication check, administer IV fluids, take blood, teach them how to use their glucose monitoring system or something else, community paramedics are a vital lifeline to many who lack a support system,” Gallagher noted.

Residents who feel they may benefit from the Community Paramedic Program should speak with their primary care physician and request a referral. There is no cost to eligible individuals, and at-home visits will be scheduled based on an individuals’ needs (e.g. weekly, bi-weekly, monthly).

More services will be introduced to the Community Paramedic Program in the coming months and shared with the community as they become available.

Individuals who would like to learn more about services offered may contact 905-318-5932 ext. 6113.

Haldimand County Seeking Public Input on Community Engagement with Shape Your HC Survey

Haldimand County is developing a long term Customer Experience and Communications Strategy and is asking for public input to identify priorities to improve the quality of customer service delivery.

Customer experience covers a broad spectrum of interactions with Haldimand County, including items such as calling customer service for information, registering for a program, booking a facility, making a payment, or reporting a concern.

From March 14 to April 14, 2022, Haldimand County residents are asked to complete the Shape Your HC Survey to share their feedback.

The survey will help set a baseline for current customer experience levels within Haldimand County and identify top priorities for growth and improvement. This information will allow Haldimand County to establish guidelines and key performance metrics for customer service. The strategy will be strongly informed by public and stakeholder input.

“It’s important to us that residents have a positive experience when dealing with all divisions within Haldimand County,” stated Trish Cardwell, Manager – Customer Experience and Communications. “We currently service a wide demographic of people and want to prioritize meeting their expectations, whether that means receiving a call-back within a set period of time or being able to access more information online. Knowing what is most important to our residents is the first step in designing a Customer Experience and Communications Strategy to meet their needs.”

Residents are asked to visit HaldimandCounty.ca/Connect/ShapeYourHC/ to complete the survey online, or are welcomed to fill in a physical copy at any branch of the Haldimand County Public Library or the Haldimand County Administration Building located at 53 Thorburn Street South in Cayuga.

Haldimand County raises Ukrainian flag at administration building

Haldimand County has raised the Ukrainian flag at its administration building to show support for the nation currently besieged by attacks from Russia.

The flag-raising request was initiated by Council in response to the events unfolding across Ukraine, and in support of community members who are personally impacted by these tragic circumstances.

“Haldimand County stands with Ukraine and wishes for a peaceful, hasty resolution. Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine and their loved ones,” said Mayor Ken Hewitt.

The Ukrainian flag flies alongside the Canadian and provincial flags in front of the Haldimand County Administration Building in Cayuga.

Haldimand County easing public health measures in facilities in alignment with province

Effective March 1, Haldimand County will be following Provincial plans to ease public health measures at County-owned facilities.

Measures include removal of proof of vaccination requirements and lifting capacity limits on remaining indoor public settings.

Masking requirements and physical distancing remain in place at this time.

For information on Haldimand County programs and services during COVID-19, visit HaldimandCounty.ca/COVID-19. 

 

Haldimand County logo. A yellow sun rising or setting atop green and blue waves. Haldimand County in black lettering below.

Residents encouraged to provide input into Community and Recreation Facilities Strategy

Haldimand County Council is encouraging all residents and users of County facilities to have their say in helping identify recreation facility needs now and in the future.

An online survey—focusing on new or repurposed facilities to support activities such as aquatics, sports, health, wellness, arts and culture—is available at HaldimandCounty.ca/RecStrategy/ until March 7.

“We are eager to hear from everyone about the kinds of recreation and community facilities they want the County to build or create in the coming years, and the input from this consultation process will guide that,” says Mayor Ken Hewitt. “If we have learned anything through this pandemic, it is that access to recreation and leisure is critical to supporting physical, mental, emotional and social well-being.

“We also want to encourage our younger residents, who we hope continue to make Haldimand County their home as they begin to work and raise their own families, to use this opportunity to tell us what kinds of recreation makes them happy.”

You can find out more about the Community & Recreation Facilities Strategy process—including the online survey and updates about in-person consultation opportunities—on the project web page.

Haldimand County accepting applications from local groups to raise flag on new community flag pole

Last fall, Haldimand County Council approved a new process for the flying of community flags in support of local charitable and non-profit groups. A fourth flagpole was installed at the administration building in Cayuga last month and groups may now formally submit a flag-raising request.

The new community flagpole is located adjacent to the administration building’s three existing flagpoles. All requested flags will be flown alongside federal, provincial and municipal flags.

Charitable and non-profit groups are encouraged to submit a request at least four weeks in advance of the date requested, along with a brief description of the nature of the flag raising.

Requests from groups will be confirmed on a first come, first served basis and reviewed to ensure that they meet all criteria outlined in the policy (e.g. they are not of political, commercial or religious nature, do not promote hatred, violence, racism or discrimination, etc.)

Flags will be flown for one week, with the possibility of a longer timeframe where other requests have not been submitted. A description of the current community flag being flown will be posted on the Haldimand County website at HaldimandCounty.ca/community-flags/.

All interested groups are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements and submit requests through the online at application form at HaldimandCounty.ca/community-flags/.

Below: The Pride flag flies in front of the Haldimand County Administration Building in June 2021. A fourth flag pole has been installed specifically for community flags.

The Pride flag flies on a pole in front of the Haldimand County Administration Building in June 2021