From August 14 through 17, 2016, Mayor Dave Augustyn, Councillors Gary Accursi and John Durley, along with CAO Darren Ottaway, attended the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference to directly advance Pelham’s interests with the Provincial Government through meetings with various Ministries.
“AMO is an excellent opportunity for us to highlight Pelham’s strategic priorities and objectives to the Provincial Government,” said Mayor Dave Augustyn. “We are grateful for the dialogue we had with key Ministers and decision-makers and feel confident that they will continue to work together with the Town on initiatives important to our residents and businesses.”
Priority: Pelham Community Centre
During a meeting with Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture & Sport, Pelham representatives discussed the Pelham Community Centre and Provincial funding opportunities. Conversations also centered on the success of Pelham’s 2016 Summerfest, which the Minister attended the launch of in mid-July.
Priority: Public Transit
During a meeting with Daiene Vernile, MPP & Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Transportation (MTO), Pelham representatives were please to provide an update on the Town’s Community Transportation Pilot Project, and to thank the Ministry for providing $100,000 in funding for the program. Further discussions continued about plans for Regional Transit in Niagara, and the need for the ongoing sustainability of transit. Ms. Vernile encouraged Pelham to present information about the Town’s transit successes to other municipalities.
Priority: Fonthill Kame
During a meeting with Kathryn McGarry, Minister of Natural Resources (MNR), Pelham representatives discussed increasing the protection of the Fonthill Kame. For the last eight years, Mayor and Council effectively used AMO and “Niagara Week” meetings to urge the Province to enhance the Area of Natural & Scientific Interest (ANSI) protections of the Kame — which were finalized in late 2013. The request this year focused on adding more of the Fonthill Kame to the protections offered by the Niagara Escarpment Plan.
Priority: Ridgeville
During a meeting with Bill Mauro, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Pelham representatives continued the conversation about the Fonthill Kame and personally thanked the Minister for fixing a historic planning error regarding Ridgeville. More than 10 years ago, the Greenbelt Plan excluded the Hamlet of Ridgeville, but the Province’s current "Co-ordinated Land Use Planning Review" proposes that Ridgeville be included and recognized.
About AMO & the Annual Conference
AMO is a not-for-profit organization that works to make municipal governments stronger and more effective by working together to achieve shared goals and meet common challenges. More than 1,700 delegates participated in this year’s annual conference “Bridging the Gap,” held in Windsor, Ontario, and centered on infrastructure funding and asset management.
For more information, please contact:
Dave Augustyn, Mayor
(905) 892-2607 ext. 317
Darren Ottaway, Chief Administrative Officer
(905) 892-2607 ext. 318
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