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Statement regarding the passing of Haldimand County Ward 4 Councillor Marie Trainer

Haldimand County is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Ward 4 Councillor Marie Trainer. Our deepest condolences go out to Councillor Trainer’s family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time. Flags at the county administration building will be flown at half-mast to honour Councillor Trainer and her decades of service to the community.

Trainer served Haldimand County over multiple decades, beginning with her election as Councillor for the Hagersville Ward in the former Town of Haldimand in 1985. Marie went on to serve as Mayor for the Town of Haldimand from 1991 to 2000 and Mayor of Haldimand County from 2003 to 2010. Her decades of service culminated with her most recent role as Ward 4 Councillor.

Born into a family who has lived in Hagersville for generations, Trainer had deep roots in the community and worked hard to ensure that resident concerns were heard at the Council table. She was an advocate for sustainable land use and preserving the community’s traditional rural values, and sat on several boards and committees throughout her time as an elected official.

“Marie will be remembered as a kind, dedicated civil servant with unwavering determination. She confronted challenges head on and never backed down from being involved and advocating for the community, most recently demonstrated by participating in Council meetings virtually from her hospital bed. Marie will be missed by all who knew her and our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and all those grieving,” said Haldimand County CAO Cathy Case.

“On behalf of Haldimand County Council, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Councillor Trainer’s family, friends, and all those who were touched by her life. She will be remembered for her dedication to public service and determination to make the community she knew and loved the best it could be. Her absence will be felt by everyone who had the opportunity to know her and her legacy will not be forgotten,” stated Haldimand County Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley.

Marie Trainer

Above: Marie Trainer during her time as mayor.

2024 Small Business Week Breakfast a big success

On October 22, the Dunnville Chamber of Commerce – in partnership with the Haldimand Business Network and Haldimand County Economic Development and Tourism – successfully hosted the annual Small Business Week Breakfast at the No. 6 RCAF Museum in Dunnville. Major sponsors like Watertite Roofing, Klear Kustoms, BCM Insurance, Grand Erie Business Centre, The Alzheimer Society, Contact North, Cranston Kinetics, Sticker-It, and OTB Marketing Agency also played a large role in the event’s success.

Catered by local restaurants Passmore’s Diner and Sunny Side Up, the breakfast saw nearly 100 small business owners and prominent local business figures show up bright and early. Attendees had the opportunity to network with one another and enjoy a delicious breakfast while listening to two guest speakers. Phil Hauser, of Hauser’s Healthcare spoke of his journey as a business owner and Cathy Case, CAO of Haldimand County provided the audience with an overview of how Haldimand County is ensuring future readiness.

“The Small Business Week Breakfast is an excellent tradition that we look forward to each year. Celebrating local businesses and the importance they have in each of our communities is vital,” stated Lidy Romanuk, Manager, Economic Development and Tourism Division. “This event continues to shine light on everything local businesses do to contribute to the health of our communities, including supporting local events, employing our residents and providing important services and goods to local customers.”

Mayor Bentley echoed the importance of the event: “The Dunnville Chamber of Commerce and its partners have done a great job planning and executing this event. Small businesses owners do so much for our community and I am so happy that we have an event like this where we can give them the recognition and praise they deserve.”

The Dunnville Chamber of Commerce, Haldimand Business Network, and Haldimand County Economic Development and Tourism would like to thank everyone who attended and sponsored this year’s event. Details regarding the 2025 Small Business Week Breakfast will begin to be released in the summer of 2025.

Mayor Bentley speaking to a packed crowd at the small business breakfast.

Above: Mayor Bentley delivers remarks to a packed house at this year’s Small Business Breakfast.

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week

HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – Join us from November 1st-7th in recognizing Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness Week. The Haldimand County Fire Department is spreading awareness regarding carbon monoxide and the importance of having working carbon monoxide alarms in your residences.

CO alarms are the first line of defense in protecting your home and your loved ones. Ensure they are properly installed on every floor of your home, including the basement. Test them regularly and replace them every ten years could be the difference in being able to get out of your residence safely.

By having working CO alarms properly located throughout the home, they work for you to alert you of potential life-threatening issues. Carbon monoxide is known as the Silent Killer, which means you cannot see it, taste it, or smell it. The only way to be alerted to its presence in your home is by a working CO alarm

In order to raise awareness, we will once again be running a social media contest during CO Awareness Week. Stay tuned to our social media pages for more information!

If you or a loved one have questions, reach out to your local fire department; we are here to help!

Project Zero

Haldimand County, ON, October 25, 2024 – On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, Enbridge Gas Inc. and the Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council will make an announcement with the Haldimand County Fire Department regarding home safety and the prevention of fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths.

In attendance will be Fire Chief Jason Gallagher; Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley; Julie Alexander, Senior Advisor, Municipal & Stakeholder Affairs Community Engagement, Enbridge Gas; and Jamie Kovacs, Executive Director, Fire Marshal’s Public Fire Safety Council. Other representatives from Haldimand County’s Emergency Services will also be in attendance for this annual safety event.

Media are invited to attend.

Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Emergency Services Headquarters
11 Thorburn Street South
Cayuga, ON N0A 1E0

Ministry of Natural Resources conducting gas detection surveys in and around Jarvis

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) will be conducting gas detection surveys in the Jarvis area from October 25 until the end of November as part of its Legacy Oil and Gas Wells Action Plan. Residents may see gas detection vehicles and drones in the area as the survey work is completed.

Some surveys will be conducted via detection vehicles, which will be slow moving with aerial-mounted gas detection equipment on top. Others will be conducted within the municipal right-of-way or by drone surveys collecting gas readings.

None of the survey methods will collect photographs or recognizable imagery. Based on the survey results, the MNR may contact individual landowners/occupants seeking permission to undertake additional testing on private properties.

More than half of the wells in Ontario are abandoned. There are about 6,000 known legacy oil and gas wells in both Haldimand and Norfolk counties, with 56 per cent of them in Haldimand. The province recently provided funding to municipalities – including Haldimand and Norfolk counties – to address mitigation and emergency preparedness initiatives.

About legacy oil and gas wells

Leaking wells may release hydrogen sulphide (H2S), a poisonous gas that smells like rotten eggs, and methane, an odourless and flammable gas. The health effects from breathing in these chemicals can vary depending on how much is in the air.

Anyone can look at the province’s Petroleum Well Map to find out if there is a record of a well on their property. There is an Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Library Petroleum Well Map that can be used to find more detailed records.

The following sites or signs may indicate an abandoned well: 

  • Farm properties with multiple farmsteads, abandoned structures, uncultivated sites or sinking land.
  • Farm areas with stunted vegetation, compacted trails, oil residue, or abandoned drilling pads.
  • Patches of dead vegetation or soil staining.
  • A rotten egg smell caused by hydrogen sulphide.
  • Natural gas bubbling in well water.

If you smell H2S (rotten eggs) near your home and suspect a leaking gas well, immediately contact:

The Spills Action Centre: 416-325-3000 | (toll-free) 1-800-268-6060 | (TYY) 1-855-889-5775

More information about abandoned oil and gas wells is available on the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit website and via the Abandoned Works Program page at Ontario.ca. For more information on the gas detection work specifically, contact the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

2024 job fair a successful recruitment event for local talent

On October 17, SOAR Community Services – in partnership with the Haldimand Business Development and Planning Advisory Committee, the Economic Development and Tourism Division, and the Grand Erie Business Centre – hosted a successful Job Fair at the Riverside Exhibition Centre.

The Job Fair saw participation from 31 local employers such as Stelco, Libro Credit Union, West Haldimand General Hospital, Haldimand O.P.P. and many more, who exhibited and showcased what opportunities are available for the local labour force. The event was a major success and saw over 237 job seekers and spectators in attendance over the course of the three hour event.

“The Job Fair was a tremendous success, drawing in employers and job seekers from all over Haldimand County,” shared Lidy Romanuk, Haldimand County’s Manager of Economic Development and Tourism. “Organizing an event that aligns local talent with local employers is truly a win-win for the County as it not only strengthens our economy, but also our local business community, ensuring a successful future,” she continued.

“Connecting job seekers with local businesses is a core aspect of programming,” added Malcolm Whyte, Director of Services, Employment & Justice with SOAR Community Services. “Showing local job seekers the opportunities that exist right outside their door, and keeping local talent local, is the ultimate success. Job Fairs are a perfect example of how we can do that.”

Tauri Caputo, General Manager of Grand Erie Business Centre, emphasized the importance of the event: “Job fairs like this are critical to connecting job seekers with businesses that are looking to grow. We are proud to support this initiative as it not only provides immediate job opportunities but also helps foster long-term relationships between employers, local service providers, and the local workforce.”

Preliminary planning has begun for another Job Fair, which is scheduled to be hosted in the early spring. Information regarding this event will be released closer to the selected date.  Employers interested receiving registration information directly can connect with Haldimand Economic Development & Tourism at Opportunity@HaldimandCounty.on.ca.

For more information about employment services available to Haldimand County employers visit SOAR Community Services online at www.soarcs.ca.

Final section of road in Granular Road Conversion Program converted to hard top ahead of schedule

On Tuesday, October 15, Haldimand County staff and members of Council gathered in Dunnville on Tamarac St. to witness the last section of road in the gravel conversion program be completed 18 years ahead of schedule – a major milestone.

The Granular Road Conversion Program was launched in 2002 as part of a maintenance plan in Roads Operations and became an official Capital Budget item under Engineering Services in 2009. As a top priority of Council for many years, the program set out a plan to convert 197 sections of road from gravel to hard surface, representing 406 kms of roadways and a total lifetime cost of $45.3 million.

During the course of the program road sections were ranked using four criteria: traffic volume, housing density, connections to other roadways and required maintenance efforts which determined their priority in the conversion schedule.

Originally the program was scheduled to be complete by 2042 but through a series of improvements to the conversion process and funding accelerations approved by Council, the timeline was shortened by 18 years.

The final 100m stretch of Tamarac St. (from Main St. E to Front St.) has re-opened to vehicular traffic, however, sidewalk construction and landscape restoration will continue over the next few weeks so crews will still be on site.

“Through projects like the Gravel Road Conversion Program, we are seeing firsthand the positive impact of investing in our infrastructure. Well-maintained roads mean safer travel for families, smoother commutes for workers, and better connections between our neighborhoods and businesses. By prioritizing these improvements, we are building an even stronger, more connected future for everyone in our community,” stated Haldimand County Mayor Bentley.

Photo (left to right): Councillor Stu Patterson, Councillor Rob Shirton, Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley, Tyson Haedrich (General Manager, Engineering & Capital Works), Cathy Case (Chief Administrative Officer), Councillor John Metcalfe, Councillor Patrick O’Neill, Kris Franklin (Manager, Engineering & Capital Works)

Haldimand County staff and Council at a construction site wearing high visibility vests and hard hats.

Haldimand County launches online Resident Satisfaction Survey, open from October 7 to 14

As part of its long-term Customer Experience & Communications Strategy, Haldimand County is looking for community feedback on personal experiences with County services and general perceptions related to the quality of life in the County.

300 random telephone surveys were conducted on behalf of Haldimand County by Deloitte Canada last month to gather input on county services and service levels. Residents who did not receive a random call are encouraged to take a brief online Resident Satisfaction Survey and provide feedback.

The online survey will be available from October 7 to 14 and can be accessed via the project page at www.haldimandcounty.ca/residentsurvey2024/ or directly through the Qualtrics survey link.

Haldimand County is committed to providing high-quality customer service, and this survey will help to create a larger picture of service delivery across the county to enable more efficient, cost-effective and accessible services for all residents.

Results from the telephone and online survey will be analyzed and shared with Council in a report before the end of the year.

Fire Prevention Week

HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – Join us from October 6th-12th in celebrating Fire Prevention Week! Haldimand County Fire Department is spreading awareness regarding Fire Prevention and the importance of having working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in your residences. Our fire fighters will be our boots on the ground handing out information to local residents throughout the week. Don’t be shy and say hi! This will be prime time to ask questions, get advice, and meet your friendly neighbourhood fire fighters!

Smoke and CO alarms are the first line of defense in protecting your home and your loved ones. Ensuring they are properly installed on every floor of your home and outside of all sleeping areas, testing them regularly, and replacing them every ten years could be the difference in being able to get out of your residence safely.

The theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week is ‘Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work For You”. By having working smoke/CO alarms properly located throughout the home, they work for you to alert you of potential life-threatening issues. You can further make them work for you if you have other needs, as smoke alarms come in various forms to alert those with disabilities. From bed shakers to strobe lights, smoke/CO alarms are there to give you the greatest amount of time possible to escape a fire.

If you miss our fire fighters when they go door-to-door with fire safety information, feel free to drop by the following locations:

  • Saturday October 12 from 9am-12pm @ Caledonia Arena
  • Saturday October 12 from 9am-2pm @ Dunnville Farmer’s Market
  • Saturday October 12 from 10am-2pm @ Hagersville Foodland

Agriculture Advisory Committee urging drivers to share the road with farm vehicles through new ‘Share the Road’ magnet campaign

Emphasizing the importance of road safety in rural communities, Haldimand County’s Agriculture Advisory Committee of Council (AAC) is urging drivers to exercise caution around farm vehicles. To raise awareness, the AAC is distributing ‘Share the Road’ car magnets, available for pickup at Haldimand County Libraries while supplies last.

The magnets serve as a reminder to be respectful and share the road responsibly with farm vehicles.

Agriculture is a key sector in Haldimand County and our roads often share space with agriculture vehicles and other farm equipment. This is essential for our local economy and way of life. Learning how to share the road safely is crucial to creating a safe community for everyone.

Key safety tips for sharing the road include: staying alert and cautious while driving, obeying traffic laws, reducing speed on rural roads, being patient, maintaining visibility, observing signals, considering weather conditions, and leaving space to safely drive around farm equipment.

Neil Hedley, Chair of the Agriculture Advisory Committee explained, “Safety on our roads is not just a priority but a responsibility. With the new ‘Share the Road’ magnets the county is raising awareness, reminding all drivers to respect agricultural vehicles and farm equipment. By promoting a mutual respect between drivers and these farm vehicles we create a safer journey for all road users.”

Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley added, “I am committed to enhancing road safety for all in our county. The ‘Share the Road’ magnets represent our collaborative effort to foster understanding and caution between motorists and agricultural vehicles. Let’s drive forward with care and consideration, ensuring our roads are safe and accessible for everyone.”

For more safety tips visit the county’s Road Safety page.

The Agricultural Advisory Committee is an advisory Committee of Haldimand County Council that advises Council on matters, issues and policies pertaining to agriculture and agribusiness in Haldimand County in order to sustain the vitality of the municipality’s economic base.

Yellow and Black slow down and share the road graphic with a tractor on it.