Haldimand County introduces property tax eBilling, encourages residents to sign up and ‘go green’

Haldimand County is introducing property tax eBilling to its growing list of online services. Residents can now sign up for eBilling at www.HaldimandCounty.ca/ebills/ and get property tax bills delivered straight to their e-mail inbox starting this July.

Residents that sign up will also be the first to receive information on how to set up their online property tax account – another feature that will soon be launched.

The new eBilling service makes it more convenient for residents to access their property tax information and reduces Haldimand County’s environmental footprint by significantly decreasing the amount of paper used.

The move to eBilling will also result in significant cost savings related to printing and mailing.

The introduction of property tax eBilling was made possible through funding provided by the Provincial government through the Municipal Modernization program, which intends to help municipalities find efficiencies and implement new initiatives to digitize, streamline programs and services.

Property tax eBilling is the first initiative to be launched utilizing this funding, and others will be introduced over the coming months. Ultimately, residents will be able to access their property tax information, receive correspondence and make payments from a single point of contact, 24/7.

Digitizing the county’s popular Community Guide/PlayBook and making it easier to navigate program registration information online is another facet of the project that is currently underway.

The Province’s contribution to Haldimand’s modernization projects under the current implementation stream is approximately $94,250.

Residents who wish to learn more about the county’s online services are encouraged to visit HaldimandCounty.ca and explore the options under ‘myHC’.

Residents who need assistance signing up may also call Haldimand County Customer Service at 905-318-5932 or visit any library branch.

Haldimand & Norfolk entrepreneurs awarded grants and mentorships to help ‘Spark’ new tourism ideas

Six finalists who made winning pitches for the Haldimand & Norfolk “Spark” Program were each awarded a $3,000 seed grant and mentorship to help them get started with their new tourism ideas.

The Haldimand & Norfolk County “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program is a collaborative partnership initiative between the Tourism Innovation Lab, Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation, Haldimand County Tourism, Norfolk County Tourism, Libro Credit Union, Grand Erie Business Centre and Venture Norfolk.

The program’s goal is to find, foster and support new tourism ideas, experiences and partnerships that will enhance current offerings, address gaps or challenges, motivate travel and longer stays, and increase year-round visits in the region.

Twenty applications were received, with the top five from Haldimand and the top five from Norfolk being invited to present their new tourism ideas at virtual Pitch Sessions held this week. Judge panels of local partner representatives and tourism innovators from outside the region selected the six winning applicants.

The 2022 Haldimand County “Spark” Program winners are:

  • Dan Megna & Laurie Lilliman, Twisted Lemon (Haldimand Getaway Packages)
  • Jessica Carpio, Bluewater Flower Farm (Organic Flower Farm Tours, Experiences & Sensory Based Workshops)
  • Nancy VanSas, Lower Grand River Land Trust/Ruthven Park (Ruthven in Wonderland)

The 2022 Norfolk County “Spark” Program winners are:

  • Brooke Martin (Norfolk’s Bounty: A Picnic Experience)
  • Hannah & Cliff Lawrance (Glamping Accommodations)
  • Marshall Collins, Collins Harbour (Food Trucks)

In addition to seed funds, mentorship and additional partner support, selected applicants gain access to a network of tourism innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders across the province.

For more information visit www.tourisminnovation.ca/HaldimandNorfolk.

911 Basics

Haldimand County Paramedic Services comprises dedicated professionals who work hard to guarantee emergency care for those in need.  We ask all residents to assist us by reviewing when it is appropriate to call 911.

What is 911

911 is a central dispatch for emergency services.  This service allows for all emergency services to be deployed to assure those first responders can deliver emergency services quickly and efficiently.

When to call 911

Knowing when to call 911 can be a difficult decision.  Assessing your situation will make sure that emergency services are available when needed.  Do not hesitate to contact them for immediate help if you are experiencing:

  • Medical emergencies, like chest pain or difficulty breathing,
  • A direct threat to life,
  • An uncontrolled or an uncontained fire.

What happens when you call 911

A 911 dispatcher will answer and ask if you need police, fire or ambulance.  Before calling, be sure to assess your situation to give the dispatcher a complete picture of the circumstances you are experiencing.  That way, they can arrange for the appropriate assistance.

With many people relying on mobile devices, you may need to provide exact location details.  Cell phones do not give the dispatcher’s precise address, and they will only see your general location.  Be prepared to give an address or an intersection.  Other critical information that may be necessary are:

  • Apartment number and entry code,
  • Landmarks,
  • Any obstacles that may prevent entry,
  • Language barriers that could require accommodation.

Be sure to stay on the line to let the 911 dispatcher will let you know when to hang up.

Questions to ask yourself:

Is a person hurt or in danger?

  • Do not hesitate to call 911 if there is difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, or chest pain.

Is there an emergency where a law enforcement officer, firefighter or medical help is needed?

  • If you are witnessing an assault, or think a driver is impaired, do not intervene and call 911 immediately.

Are there alternative numbers to call to help you assess your situation?

  • There are services available to assist you in determining your required level of care. Telehealth, which offers free medical advice over the phone, or 211 Ontario, a Community and Social Services helpline, can guide you.

Are you still unsure? 

  • Go ahead and call 911.  The call taker will then determine if emergency assistance is needed.

IMPORTANT NUMBERS TO CALL

Telehealth Ontario:

Toll-free: 1-866-797-0000

Toll-free TTY:1-866-797-0007

211 Ontario:

www.211ontario.ca

Call: 2-1-1

Toll-free: 1-877-330-3213

TTY: 1-844-483-9835

Call 1-(888)-310-1122

File a report online on the O.P.P. website

A Decision Tree Chart for calling 911

 

Haldimand County Receives Jumpstart Sport Relief Fund Grant for Local Tennis Program

In February, Canadian Tire Corporation announced an additional $12 million commitment to Jumpstart’s Sport Relief Fund to help sport and recreation organizations build back sport and play in Canada.

Jumpstart conducted a State of Sport study via Ipsos, which revealed the pandemic has not only impacted current access to sport and play but has real long-term effects, as well. Haldimand County and the communities it serves have experienced this impact of the pandemic first-hand.

Recently, Haldimand County was pleased to receive confirmation that it is among the more than 500 national sport and recreation organizations to be provided with grant support through the latest round of Jumpstart’s Sport Relief Fund. In 2021, Jumpstart has already distributed in excess of $9 million in funding to more than 800 organizations across Canada through the fund.

“We are very grateful to receive this news as we know the funding will have a positive impact on our local youth programming,” says Lynda Kissner, Supervisor of Programs & Events. “In Haldimand County, we plan to use the funding towards the introduction of the Louise Brown & Ross Brown Juniors Tennis Program, which will be made available free of charge to youth ages 8 to 18 years.”

For more information about the new tennis program, please check the County’s website at dev.haldimandcounty.ca/main_website.

Haldimand County Launches New Tennis Program for Local Youth

Haldimand County is excited to announce the introduction of the Louise Brown & Ross Brown Juniors Tennis Program, geared towards youth ages 8 to 18 years of age and available from August 3rd to September 2nd  in Caledonia, Dunnville and Jarvis.

The program, which will be coordinated by David Brown—who represented Canada in the Davis Cup—is named after his late mother, a top-notch provincial and Canadian tennis champion, and father.

Louise Brown learned to play tennis in her hometown of Dunnville. Her passion for the sport helped her win the Canadian Open women’s singles and doubles titles in 1957 and she ranked in the Top 10 in Canadian women’s tennis for 26 years. Throughout a tennis career that spanned more than four decades, Louise won more than sixty Canadian singles and doubles titles. Her husband, Ross, served in the R.C.A.F. from 1939 to 1945 and was the President of the Ontario Tennis Association from 1965 to 1970.

The goal of the new program is to introduce youth to the sport and teach them the fundamentals of the game.  Participants will benefit from lessons led by a highly-qualified group of dedicated tennis professionals. “I’m very excited at the opportunity to come back to Haldimand County and share my family’s passion for the sport of tennis with our younger residents,” says Brown.

Thanks to the support of Canadian Tire Jumpstart’s Sport Relief Fund—which helps provide access to sport and play for Canadian youth—and Wilson Sporting Goods, the Louise Brown & Ross Brown Juniors Tennis Program will be offered free of charge to participants, including equipment (racquets and balls).

For more information, or to register (registration opens Wednesday, July 21), please check the County’s online registration system at link.haldimandcounty.ca.

Haldimand County Announces “Out and About in Haldimand” GeoTour

If you are looking for a new local adventure this summer, check out Haldimand County’s first ever GeoTour!

The GeoTour is a real-world, outdoor treasure-hunting game that uses GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.

This is a great activity for any resident, visitor or family that likes the challenge of an outdoor scavenger hunt combined with a chance to check out the County’s beautiful parks and natural areas.

More than twenty geocaches have been tucked into parks and public properties throughout the County. Anyone completing the Tour by December can redeem their ‘passport’ to receive a specially-designed “Out and About In Haldimand” geocoin.

To learn more geocaching and the tour, including a ‘how to’ video, visit https://dev.haldimandcounty.ca/main_website/festivals-events/2021-geocache/.

Haldimand County Public Library invites residents to virtual book talk with award-winning local author Brad Smith

Spend an evening with Haldimand County Public Library’s One Book One Haldimand author Brad Smith as he discusses his latest book Cactus Jack.

“In Cactus Jack, Brad Smith tells a compelling story of thoroughbred racing’s bottom rung. These are not the wealthy owners, the marquee trainers and name jockeys, but the debt-ridden, hardscrabble class striving to get back to even in life and maybe find a bit of redemption along the way. The novel is deeply intimate in its telling, yet cinematic in story range and scope, clear winner by a dozen lengths.” – Jim Tomlinson, author of Things Kept, Things Left Behind.

The virtual author visit will take place online using Zoom on Thursday, May 27 at 7pm. Participants will enjoy a short reading, a book talk and a Q & A session facilitated by library staff. You do not need a library membership to join the discussion!

To register, call your local branch at 289-674-0400 or e-mail the library’s Outreach Coordinator at kkrupicz@haldimandcounty.on.ca and indicate “OBOH” in your email’s subject line.

Copies of Cactus Jack are available at all library branches. Call your local branch at 289-674-0400 or use the online catalogue to reserve a copy.

Grandview Lodge outbreak declared over

Effective March 3, 2021, the COVID-19 outbreak at Grandview Lodge has been declared over.

The outbreak was initially declared on February 18 after a staff member tested positive through routine testing. This staff member has since returned to work and all routine swabs have come back negative for the virus.

Grandview Lodge staff and Haldimand County would like to extend appreciation to resident’s family members and the community for the support and words of encouragement offered throughout the outbreak. Staff will continue to work diligently to keep residents safe.

 

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

Severe Conditions Expected Along Lake Erie Shoreline Sunday, People Asked To Leave Lakeshore Residences, Cottages

Flood & High Lake Level Warnings are now in effect for the Lake Erie shoreline and areas downstream of the Dunnville Dam. High winds and waves in the forecast are expected to cause extremely dangerous conditions throughout Sunday and there is a high risk of flooding, erosion and property damage associated with this weather event.

This event will have a significant impact along the shoreline and impacts are expected to exceed those that occurred during the October 31, 2019 event. Impacts are expected to affect Zones 1-5 along the Lakeshore (see the Lake Erie Flood Zone Lookup tool to learn more about Flood Zones and their impacts).

Individuals currently staying at properties along the lake are encouraged to leave and return to their permanent residences. Permanent residents should shelter in place until otherwise directed by emergency officials, unless at any time they feel their safety is in jeopardy, in which case they should leave immediately. Preparations are underway should evacuations be deemed necessary.

The MNRF surge model forecast for the eastern end of Lake Erie is indicating a rise in levels of 2.98 metres (9.8 feet) above chart datum. The peak above critical lake levels is forecast to occur this evening between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m, before receding overnight.

Haldimand County Emergency Services is urging residents to stay away from all shoreline areas and roadways. It is NEVER safe to drive through floodwater. Emergency Services is also reminding residents to only call 911 if their safety is at risk. Emergency Services is not able to pump out flooded basements.

Haldimand County Emergency Services will continue monitoring conditions throughout Sunday. Residents should pay close attention to changing weather conditions and watch for updated flood messages. A flood guide for lakeshore property owners and other emergency preparedness resources can be found at HaldimandCounty.ca/floods.

Further updates on this weather event will be shared as the forecast evolves.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Haldimand County is under the jurisdiction of three conservation authorities. Weather advisories and impacts may vary based on a given location’s position on the shoreline. You can look up a property or specific location and obtain information about flood impacts using the Lake Erie Flood Zone Lookup tool.

Current advisories and flood messages are available on conservation authority websites:

Grand River Conservation Authority
Long Point Region Conservation Authority
Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority

STORM CONTACT INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS

  • If you feel your safety is at risk, dial 911
  • To report a public roadway obstruction (e.g: downed tree, water or debris over a road) call the after-hours reporting line at 1-888-849-7345.