HASTINGS COUNTY NEWSLETTER VOLUME 18, ISSUE 2 - SPRING 2017 Hastings County TIMES County Council Unanimously Passes INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2017 Budget PAGE 2 County Council unanimously approved the 2017 budget at the March HASTINGS COUNTY session of Council. The budget will see an increase of 2.63% on a tax levy SIGNS TWO NEW of approximately $13.7 million. The overall operating budget sits at just over FAMILY DOCTORS TO RECRUITMENT $135 million to cover all of the services that Hastings County provides. This PROGRAM increase equates to an additional $10.47 on a residential assessment of HASTINGS COUNTY $173,500. WELCOMES SUMMER This year’s budget was aimed at STUDENTS sustaining current service levels and was “This year’s budget was aimed PAGE 3 challenged by aging infrastructure and at sustaining current service COMMUNITY AND declining revenue. The budget includes HUMAN SERVICES an increase of $120,000 in capital levels and was challenged by spending to maintain the social housing aging infrastructure and PAGE 4 ECONOMIC stock that we have. Renewal of our two declining revenue.” DEVELOPMENT long-term care facilities, including carpet replacement and new handrails at Hastings Manor, and replacement of the PAGE 5 PLANNING shingled roof and air handling PAGE 6 HUMAN RESOURCES units at Hastings EMERGENCY SERVICES Centennial PAGE 7 Manor will also PICTURES AND be done in ANNOUNCEMENTS 2017. Paramedic Services will see 16 new power stretchers ordered in 2017 which is hoped to assist in the wellness of paramedics who are involved in the constant, repeated lifting of patients during shift. This budget also reflects the increased commitment to the Economic Development program as recommended by the study done by Michael Rowland of Change Focus Incorporated, as well as funding for the new Wellness Initiative for County employees.
HASTINGS COUNTY TIMES PAGE 2 - SPRING 2017 Hastings County Signs Two New Family Doctors to Recruitment Program Hastings County is pleased to announce the signing of two new doctors to our Family Physician Recruitment Program. Drs. Jenny Gerasimoff and Eric Blanchard are going to be joining the Bancroft Family Health Team in the near future. Dr. Gerasimoff will be starting her practice in June and will continue to be working in the emergency department of the Bancroft Hospital as well. Dr. Blanchard is completing his final year of Residency and will be joining the team in the summer of 2018. “To have a husband and wife join as the 12th and 13th doctors currently signed up to our program is very exciting in addressing the need for family doctors across Hastings County,” stated Warden Rodney Cooney.
Hastings County Hastings County Welcomes Summer Students We are pleased to welcome the following 24 summer students to Hastings County this year. They will be working with us between May 23rd and August 25th.
Sarah McCurdy (returning) - Administration; Juliana Alvarez - Human Resources; Sarah Arendt - GIS; Leigh Munroe - POA; Noah Cassibo - Maintenance; Joe Petrella (returning) - Treasury; Ashley Robertson (returning) - CHS (Children’s Services); Brittany Frantz - CHS (Casework Asst); Kevin Young - CHS (Casework Asst); Jennifer Leigh (returning) - CHS (Job Placement); Camille Gray (returning) - CHS (Job Placement); Deanna Clarke - CHS (Job Placement); Erin Broek - CHS (Job Placement); Justin DeZwart - CHS (Office Asst); Brooke Bressette (returning) - CHS (Quinte West); Jessica Sills - CHS (Madoc); Kelsey Dano (returning) - CHS (Bancroft); Taryn Betson - CHS (Bancroft); Taylor Newell (returning) - CHS (Housing - Community Relations); Taylor Canning (returning) - CHS (Housing - Community Relations); Christian Crossley - CHS (Housing - Community Relations, Quinte West); Brianna Towns-Fournier CHS (Housing - Recreation Program Coordinator); Mitch Canning (returning) - CHS (Housing - Recreation Program Coordinator, Quinte West); Aaron Milligan - CHS (Housing - Facilities Technical Assistant).
HASTINGS COUNTY TIMES PAGE 3 - SPRING 2017 Director of Community and Human Services Retires Steve Gatward, Director of Community and Human Services announced his retirement after over 35 years of service with Hastings County, many as Deputy Director and the last 6 years as Director. Steve has certainly left his mark on social services in Hastings County and he is a big reason why the department is as highly regarded as it is today. We would like to thank Steve for his many years of dedication and would like to wish him all the best in his retirement.
Community Engagement with Ontario Early Years Child and Family Centres Our community planners have started their process of engaging communities across Hastings County to help transform all Ministry of Education funded child and family programs and services into local Ontario Early Years Child and Family Centres (OEYCFCs). These centres will bring a number of existing programs and services for young children and families under one umbrella with a common mandate, and a shared identity and governance structure. The goal is to enhance the quality and consistency of child and family programs across Ontario to ensure that: • Parents and caregivers have access to high quality services that support them in their role as children’s first teachers • Children have access to play and inquiry-based learning opportunities and experience positive developmental health and well-being • Parents and caregivers have opportunities to strengthen their relationships with their children. • Francophone children and families have access to french language programs and gain enhanced knowledge about language and identity acquisition • Indigenous children and families have access to culturally responsive programming. • Parents and caregivers are provided with timely, relevant and up to date information about community and specialized services • Local service providers collaborate and integrate services to meet community needs in an efficient and accessible way In addition, a parallel indigenous-led early years initiative, ‘The Journey Together’, will provide opportunities to enhance access to culturally relevant early years programs and services and licenced child care spaces for Indigenous children and families living off-territory. Beginning in 2018, Hastings County will be responsible for the implementation and management of the OEYCFCs in our community. In preparation for this, we are engaging in a local planning
Community and Human ServicesCommunity process involving evidence-based research and consultations with stakeholders and service providers. Parents, organizations focused on children and families, public health, school boards, specialized community service agencies, and others have been invited to contribute their ideas, priorities and preferences as part of the planning and stakeholder engagement process. Parents and families are encouraged to contribute their input by visiting www.hastingscounty.com/earlyyears and clicking on the link to fill in our online survey.
To learn more please visit: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/childcare/plan_oeycfc.pdf HASTINGS COUNTY TIMES PAGE 4 - SPRING 2017
“I Left the City Show” Launched The County of Hastings has launched a new campaign titled the “I Left The City Show.” The campaign is aimed at attracting ‘Lone Eagles’, people and entrepreneurs who live in large cities such as Toronto or Ottawa and have businesses, jobs or skills that can be transferred to a rural or small town setting. “One of our key mandates and services is encouraging Lone Eagles to re-locate and invest in Hastings County,” notes Hastings County Warden Rodney Cooney. “With this in mind, the I Left The City Show is intended to catch the attention of city dwellers, show them entrepreneurs who have left the city, and hopefully entice them to make the decision to relocate here as well.” The I Left The City Show involves interviews recorded on video with twelve different entrepreneurs who have chosen Hastings County as the place for them to live and run their business. Each entrepreneur and their interview is featured on the website www.ileftthecity.ca, and the audio only versions can be listened to on the go from the Apple iTunes and Google Play stores. “I can go on and on about why this region is an amazing place to live and run a business,” says Economic and Tourism Development Manager Andrew Redden. “Instead, we’ve enlisted the support of entrepreneurs who left the city and have realized the benefits of living and running a business in Hastings County. It’s our aim to attract more.” Photo courtesy of Jack Evans. New Small Business Coordinator and Marketing Coordinator Hired Warden Rodney Cooney announced the formal hiring of Mark Hanley as the new Small Business Coordinator. “We are delighted to have Mark join us as he helps us re-start the highly valued and important service of one-on-one entrepreneur coaching”. Mark will be working all across our 14 member
Economic Development municipalities facilitating a people centred approach to community and economic development. He will be assisting business startups, connecting resources, and inspiring a culture of entrepreneurial thinking and spirit. Mark brings a wealth of entrepreneurship experience having owned many businesses himself. He also has more than ten years worth of experience in municipal economic development with the Kingston Economic Development Corporation. In Kingston, Mark managed the Small Business Development Centre and coached hundreds of successful new business start-ups. “I’m excited to have Mark join our economic development team”, says Economic and Tourism Development Manager, Andrew Redden. “Mark will be supporting people and our communities as he travels around the County and is available to meet with anyone – from an entrepreneur looking to turn his or her passion into a business, or an established business owner looking to expand or needing help with their management plans”. Hastings County would also like to welcome Luisa Sorrentino as the new Marketing Coordinator. Luisa worked with Hastings County previously as an Economic Development Intern. One of Luisa’s first major tasks will be to help coordinate the development and implementation of a County-wide branding and marketing strategy. She will also support various ongoing marketing efforts related to economic development and tourism.
HASTINGS COUNTY TIMES PAGE 5 - SPRING 2017
Official Plan Draft Completed The Planning and Development Department, together with GIS staff, have been working extremely hard over the last few months finalizing the draft Hastings County Official Plan. The draft Official Plan establishes the goals, objectives, policies, and procedures that guide the physical development of Hastings County, while having regard for relevant social, economic, and environmental matters. The Plan provides for a local vision while being consistent with Provincial policies and directives.
The Draft Official Plan is comprised of three parts:
Part A: The main policy document for the entire County Part B: Urban Communities Secondary Plan, which guides development in the County’s six urban areas Part C: Bird’s Creek Secondary Plan, which guides development in the Hamlet of Bird’s Creek
The completed draft Official Plan has been circulated to member municipalities for review, with the next step in the process being public consultation, which will start in early summer. Planning
HASTINGS COUNTY TIMES PAGE 6 - SPRING 2017 Government of Canada Discontinues Purchase of Bonds Through Payroll Savings Programs The Government of Canada announced it will discontinue the sale of Canada Savings Bonds (CSBs) purchased through the Payroll Savings Program as of November 2017. What this means if you are currently enrolled in the Program: • Your CSB contributions will continue to be deducted from your pay and go towards your CSB Payroll Savings Plan until 31 October 2017 • The funds in your Payroll Savings Plan are safe, guaranteed and will be honoured. Bond series in your plan will continue to earn interest until redemption or maturity, whichever comes first • You will continue to have access to your funds 24/7 through CSB Online Services. If you wish to make a redemption prior to the maturity date, you can do so online or by using the automated telephone service • As each bond series in your plan matures, the funds (principal and interest) associated with that series will automatically be paid out to you by cheque or direct deposit according to your account information • After all the bond series in your plan have been redeemed or paid out, your plan will be closed • If you contribute to a Canada RSP through the Payroll Savings Program, there will be no change at this time. If any, they will be communicated to you at a future date For more information about what this announcement means to you, please visit: http://www.csb.gc.ca/2017/03/important-announcement-about-canada-savings-bonds-program/ http://www.csb.gc.ca/csb-program-announcement-questions-answers/ At this time, the County does not have plans for a similar type program.
Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Services New Hires Jacob Zimmerman, graduated from St. Lawrence, lives in Carrying Place; Logan French, graduated from CTS, North Bay, rode out in Trenton; Brit Weidel, graduated from Loyalist; Sydney Trimble, graduated from Ontario College of Health and Technology, rode out in Hamilton, and lives in Picton; Taylor Burnett, Ontario College grad, worked as a PCP in Newfoundland in 2014, lives in Belleville, also works at Lennox and Addington; Greg Donnan, graduated from Algonquin College, rode out in Leeds and Grenville, born and raised in Stirling; Tamara Cave, graduated from Durham College, rode out in Durham, staying with family in Picton; Pete O’Connell, grad of JIBC, former CF medic, originally from Halifax, lives in Belleville; Farzan Wadia, Loyalist grad, rode out in Durham, lives in Brighton; Janine Bell, worked as a PCP/ACP in Nova Scotia, and as an ACP for last 2 years, moving back to be closer to family; Michael McCreary, grew up in the County, went to school at Humber; Victoria Beatty, Loyalist grad, grew up in the area;Jake Stonehouse, Conestoga graduate, rode out in Guelph and Waterloo, grew up in Frankford; Cole Walker, Loyalist grad, from Kingston, rode out at Frontenac; Brooke Bonnin, Loyalist grad, lives in Roslin, grew up in the area. Emergency Services Human Resources
HASTINGS COUNTY TIMES PAGE 10 - SPRING 2017 Hastings County Hosts Speaker, Doug Griffiths at Stirling Theatre Speaker Doug Griffiths delivered a fantastic presentation about his book, “13 Ways to Kill Your Community”, to elected officials and municipal staff and guests, at the Stirling Theatre on May 18th. Warden Cooney arranged for Doug to come to Hastings County after witnessing his presentation at an earlier municipal conference, and introduced him at this event.
Retirement Hastings County would like to extend best wishes to Carine Deven on her retirement after 18 years of service with the County.
Communications of Our Services at Hastings County Visit us at For any corrections, suggestions, or to be added to our hastingscounty.com e-mailing list, contact John Nicholas: [email protected]