1

Mayor’s Chamber Breakfast Address Wednesday May 12 ­ 8:00 AM­10:00 AM Smitty's, Grand Avenue, Chatham

The Community's Vision: Chatham­Kent will be the fastest growing sustainable community in southwestern Ontario.

THE PAST YEAR

MAY 2009 Previous Mayor’s Address

JUNE 2009 Workforce Planning Board Gets Under Way • made up of community leaders representing business, industry, agriculture, energy, education, health care, labour and social welfare

Prince Michael of Kent – Chatham Visit • As Colonel­in­Chief of the Essex and Kent Scottish Regiment 2

Wallaceburg Harbour • Farmers of North America (FNA) organization had been looking for innovative, cost­effective shipping options • Received two barges carrying a shipment of fertilizer from Russia

Chinese Municipal Delegation

Recreation Infrastructure Projects Funding § The federal and provincial governments joined the municipality in a one third, one third, one third funding initiative for 12 projects that improved recreation facilities § Total value of $5,774,103 § WALTER HAWKINS POOL, 341 Delaware Ave § ORVILLE WRIGHT POOL § KINGSTON REGIONAL PARK § THAMES CAMPUS PARK § WHEATLEY AREA SPORTS COMPLEX § KINSMEN PARK § BLENHEIM CENTENNIAL PARK § ROTARY PARK § TURNER PARK § STERLING PARK § TILBURY MEMORIAL POOL § BLENHEIM MEMORIAL PARK 3

AUGUST 2009

Leaders’ Roundtable on Immigration • Immigrant­Friendly Communities: Making Immigration Work for Employers and Other Stakeholders in Small Town Canada.

Ontario Cup Provincial Novice Basketball Championships

Municipality Hires Director of Legal Services/Solicitor • Hired a new Director of Legal Services/Solicitor, General Manager of Community Development and Planning, and Director of Economic Development Services • Six senior positions filled

SEPTEMBER 2009

2009 South Western Regional Senior Games • 743 participants and non­participants in Chatham­Kent • 120 and 18 events • Closing Ceremonies ­ Kinsmen Auditorium ­ 800 in attendance ­ sold out event Community Governance Task Force Residents’ Survey 4

OCTOBER 2009

Federal Gas Tax Funding Used to Repair Roads and Bridges • Ribbon­cutting at Jeannette’s Creek Bridge • Recognized Government of Canada’s $17.4 million of federal Gas Tax funding for CK infrastructure

Community Governance Town Hall Meetings Start • Nine Public Meetings

Lieutenant Governor Visit • Unmarked veterans graves given markers by the Last Post Fund and local veterans 5

DECEMBER 2009

CP Holiday Train • Campaign for food donations to Outreach for Hunger Chatham­Kent

Building Infrastructure for Business ­ Ridgetown • Ribbon­cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of infrastructure improvements in the business district in Ridgetown along Main Street and Erie Street South • Three month 2009 project consisted of new sidewalks, curbs, road, street lights, and traffic signals • Water main and storm sewer work in 2008 • Approximately $2.1 million in funding for both years was part of the municipality’s lifecycle infrastructure budget

CK Transit Route C Bus Service Got Under Way • Serving residents in the Ridgetown, Blenheim, Charing Cross and Chatham areas 6

CK Celebrates the Torch • Flame travelled through Ridgetown, Blenheim, North Buxton, Tilbury, Wallaceburg and Chatham • Grand community celebrations held December 22 at the Kinsmen Auditorium and Memorial Arena, and on a mobile stage – many thousands of people • Final Torchbearer ­ Christopher Beausoleil of Tilbury 7

JANUARY 2010

Precismeca Ltd ­ Mining Industry Manufacturer Brings New Jobs to Wallaceburg • With assistance from the municipality, the opening of a new manufacturing facility, Precismeca Ltd • Will create approximately 64 new jobs in Wallaceburg when the facility opens in summer 2010. • A recognized leader in providing conveyor systems for the mining industry • Precismeca is investing nearly $3 million to equip the plant, including an $894,000 loan from Ontario's Advanced Manufacturing Investment Strategy (AMIS) 8

Advanced Emissions Technologies Ltd., Relocates to Wallaceburg Bringing More New Jobs

• Located to the former Waltec building, initially bringing 50­75 jobs to Wallaceburg. • The Province provided a $1 million grant to the company through the Rural and Economic Development Program to retrofit the building • Will create 50­75 highly­skilled manufacturing jobs, with the potential for 50­150 more jobs in the long term

Chatham­Kent on MONOPOLY Canada! • Chatham­Kent was first on the new MONOPOLY Canada game board. • Hasbro launched a nation­wide vote to find Canada’s 22 favourite communities • Massive Facebook campaign and marches in CK • Results will be announced in June 9

Ontario Lottery and Gaming Slots at Dresden Raceway

• Since 2001, $4.6 million from slot revenues was paid to Chatham­ Kent and has been used by the municipality to support hospital projects, infrastructure and downtown redevelopment.

• OLG Community Relations Program has sponsored events such as the Festival of Giving, Retrofest 2009 and the 2nd Annual Mayor's Gala for the Arts valued at more than $69,000 since 2001. 10

2010 Municipality of Chatham­Kent Budget • Administration recommended a 1.9 percent tax increase, with options to reduce that figure to zero. • Council finished its budget deliberations February 2nd and has adopted a 1.38% increase for 2010. • The tax increase will result in an approximate $32 annual increase on a home assessment of $138,000. • Council approved Municipal Tax Increases by Year:

Year % 1998 0% 1999 0% 2000 0% 2001 6.8% 2002 2.9% 2003 2.7% 2004 6.7% 2005 4.9% 2006 2.7% 2007 3.6% 2008 4.1% 2009 1.9% 11

• Average negotiated rate increases on Labour Contracts:

Year % 1998 various 1999 2.0% 2000 2.0% 2001 2.5% 2002 2.0% 2003 2.5% 2004 2.5% 2005 3.0% 2006 3.0% 2007 3.0% 2008 3.0% 2009 2 outstanding contracts 2010 5 outstanding contracts 12

2009 Investment in Infrastructure Chatham­Kent funds $39M Senior government funds: Gas tax $7M Grants $11M Total 2009 infrastructure $57M

Use of funds: Roads ­ paved 8,122,000 Roads ­ gravel 2,679,900 Outdoor pools 206,739 Fleet ­ municipal 2,745,000 Buildings 3,396,524 Sidewalks 499,943 Social housing ­ municipally owned 976,289 ITS workstations 1,029,090 Surface treatment ­ existing 598,000 Arenas 739,306 Parks ­ playground units 207,690 Surface treatment ­ conversion 236,300 Election 265,034 ITS servers, printers, photocopiers, etc. 1,257,296 Indoor pools 243,614 Railroad signal crossings 332,161 Rubber railway crossings 1 Parks ­ other capital 491,479 Storm sewers 3,273,162 Bridges 17,645,300 Capital budget during phase in 6,612,700 Community Trails 840,145 Reforestation Strategy 190,864 Street light poles 235,000 Lifecycle issues yet to be identified 1 Active Living 750,000 Social housing ­ Non profit/co­ops 1,195,400 Cemeteries 37,000 Fleet ­ police 394,000 Phone systems 259,422 Software 1,335,043 56,794,403 13 New Zoning By­law in Effect • Chatham­Kent’s new Zoning By­law is now in effect. • Regulates use, size, height, density and location of buildings on properties throughout the municipality.

FEBRUARY 2010

Council Awards Funding to 41 Local Groups for Community Improvement Projects • 21 community groups received grants totaling $125,012.79 through the Mainstream component of the 2010 Community Partnership Fund • 20 groups received $78,473.58 under the Festivals & Events component • 11 groups awarded $34,977.35 through the Social Assistance Restructuring fund • 31 community improvement projects and 21 local festivals and events 14 MARCH 2010

Free WI­FI in Chatham Core • Free WI­FI in all outdoor spaces. • Business Improvement Area and Potensia Corporation • $48,000 grant from the Community Futures Development Corporation of Chatham­Kent

Fighting Poverty is Just Good Business • Municipality, United Way of Chatham­Kent and the Chatham­Kent Chamber of Commerce host Prosperity Roundtable • Demonstrates government, non­profit sector and business working together to reduce poverty

Gable Rees Rotary Pool Grand Opening and Open House • Improvements to the Gable Rees Rotary Pool • Grand Opening, ribbon­cutting ceremony and open house with citizens 15 Federal and provincial governments invest in Rondeau • $800,000 ­ picnic shelter and rehabilitate roads • Two governments have announced over $11 billion in joint funding for more than 2,600 infrastructure projects across Ontario. • Joint federal­provincial investments provide economic stimulus by creating jobs and helping

APRIL 2010

Council Approves New Conference/Exhibition Centre • Municipal Council approved moving ahead with an $8 million conference and exhibition centre • on the donated section of the former Wheels Inn • Construction could begin as soon as September and take a year to complete • A Request for Interest concerning the management of the centre is being advertised 16 Ridgetown Campus Receives $2.63 Million for Anaerobic Digester • University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus will receive $2.63 million for the construction of an anaerobic digester and demonstration lab • Through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

Yacht Builder in Wallaceburg • Kanter Marine – a Yacht building firm ­ will bring in 90 new jobs to Wallaceburg • Relocating from St. Thomas • $717,225 from the Federal Development Agency for Southern Ontario to expand and market 17 St. Clair College to Bring Programming • Bakery program ­ St. Clair College's plans to offer a bakery program through Thames Campus in downtown Chatham • Scheduled for September 2011 • Part of the retrofit of the historic building at the corner of King and Fifth streets • $309,500 cash from the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program for fittings • Technology and Trades Centre ­ St. Clair College is building the new centre at the Thames Campus for classes for the fall of 2011 • $4.4 million in federal and provincial stimulus funding ­ total project cost of $5,130,000 • HealthPlex campaign – an ambitious $23million two­ campus capital campaign to provide the Chatham campus with a state­of­the­art fitness, athletics and recreation facility, demonstrating commitment to students and the community 18 Advanced Emissions Technologies Ltd. Receives Funding • Wallaceburg ­ Advanced Emissions Technologies Ltd. received $650,000 from the Federal Development Agency for Southern Ontario • Company working on its new Mason Street facility and will employ up to 90 employees

Shoppers Drug Mart/Family Health Team Development • Glengate Holdings Inc. is near completion of a new Shoppers Drug Mart and Family Health Team Centre on Grand Avenue West in Chatham • $8 million, 32,000 sq ft building is located on 9 acres • Will open in September 2010 • To employ more than 100 people • Completes work that began last fall with a new A & W franchise 19 Capitol Theatre Announces Grand Opening Line­up • Completion of the $19 million theatre will soft­open in August • Grand opening line­up for September 2010 has been announced

Chatham­Kent Gluten­Free Miller Plant Expansion • International Food Products in Wallaceburg plans to starts upgrades this summer. • Gluten­free and non­allergenic flour products • $273,658 from its Rural Economic Development Program

YMCA Awards Construction Contract • Construction on the $17.8 million project is underway • Complete in July 2011 • To serve over 4,500 people as members and attract more than 12,000 visitors annually

Fire Stations Reconstructions over Several Years

• 2008 Station 5 (Chatham North) (Volunteer) • 2009 Station 17 (Merlin) (Volunteer) • 2010 Station 19 (Tilbury) (Volunteer) • 2011 Station 14 (Erieau) (Volunteer) 20 Highway 401 Improvements • Federal and provincial funding • Eastbound lanes from Essex Road 42 to Bloomfield Road • Eastbound lanes from Orford Road to Furnival Road • Value $8.9 million

Maverick Signs Deal in Detroit • Maverick Multimedia Inc. signed a new broadcast deal with Detroit Television Station WMYD­TV • Promotes CK as Canada's Classic Car Capital

MEDD Development

Welcome Newcomers’ Website • New website provides newcomers with community information • Promotes CK as a destination for relocation • $271,392 by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, and Citizenship and Immigration Canada 21 Another International Rugby Event • Belsize Park Rugby Football Club of London, England against our very own Kent Havoc Rugby Football Club • Chatham­Kent is becoming a sports destination

Wheatley Harbour De­listed • 25 years after being named one of 43 "areas of concern" in the Great Lakes, Wheatley Harbour has been delisted • Treatment systems upgraded to remove the PCBs and phosphorus • Federal and provincial governments spent many millions of dollars • Sediments have been cleaned up in numerous dredgings • Homeowners tapped into federal grant programs to repair septic tanks • Important fishery for yellow perch, walleye, rainbow smelt, and white bass 22

Shoreline Initiative Approved • Council has commissioned a one­year study into how all CK lakeshores and riverfronts can be treated as one major ecological, recreational, business and tourism asset • Citizens will be asked how to preserve natural beauty and heritage features while also expanding our economy • MMM Group Limited has been retained to develop the Chatham­ Kent Shoreline Area Sustainable Community Plan/Secondary Plan

Chatham­Kent Invites Transportation Investment • Municipality asked for Expressions of Interest for the Development and Operation of a Rail, Marine and Road Multimodal Transportation Operation in Wallaceburg

Chatham–Kent is Baby Friendly • Chatham­Kent Public Health United was named a “Baby­Friendly” health service as designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) 23 MAY

Lambton/Chatham­Kent Children’s Charter of Rights • Chatham­Kent’s first Children's Charter of Rights was formally launched. • Created by 1000 children from within the Best Start Network boundaries • Children say they have 12 basic rights

Basic Needs Justice & Protection Be Different Be Heard Make Friends Privacy A Nurturing Home Culture, Faith & Beliefs Play An Education Peace Equal Access 24 Kingston Park Revitalization ­ Chatham • Public consultation meetings were held earlier this year • New amenities are being built ­ playgrounds, waterplay and water feature • New plantings • Pathways for walking, jogging and cycling • Picnic shelters, new washrooms, change rooms, and a community room • Scheduled for completion in September

Parks and Recreation Master Plan • The document is available for your comments

Dajcor Venture Comes to Chatham­Kent • Dajcor Aluminum Limited announced a new business venture in Chatham­Kent this week • Highly competitive company in the aluminum extrusion business • Direct result of CKs strategic position in the North American marketplace, skilled workers 25 The Future

Community Vision: Chatham­Kent will be the fastest growing sustainable community in southwestern Ontario.

STRATEGIC DIRECTION 1 focus on our recreational and cultural opportunities

STRATEGIC DIRECTION 2 sustainable growth in business and industry

STRATEGIC DIRECTION 3 recruiting and retaining recent immigrants, newcomers, young professionals and active retirees

STRATEGIC DIRECTION 4 a Municipality of quality services, effective structure and fiscal responsibility

STRATEGIC DIRECTION 5 bringing partners together for a Chatham­Kent Strategic Plan