9th annual Mayor’s Charity Gala postponed due to COVID-19

The 9th Annual Mayor’s Charity Gala originally scheduled for Friday, May 22 at Monthill Golf & Country Club (4925 Highway 6 S, Caledonia) has been rescheduled for Friday, November 6 due to COVID-19.

The 2020 gala, featuring live entertainment by Dave Wilcox, is the 9th annual event put on by Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt. Each year, new local charities are chosen as recipients of the proceeds.

All tickets purchased for the May 22 event will be honored on November 6. Individuals who would like to purchase a ticket or request further information may contact Donna Chausse at dchausse@haldimandcounty.on.ca or 905-318-5932 ext. 6102. Tickets are $150 each.

Haldimand County Provides Update On Broadband Internet Project, Launches Public Survey

Haldimand County’s Broadband Internet Project is moving ahead. Currently, individual consultations are being facilitated with the 3 pre-qualified internet service providers (ISPs) – KWIC Internet, Metroloop Inc. & Xplornet. In conjunction with this consultation process, a public survey has been launched to collect resident feedback on technical, financial and service-related aspects of internet service.

The Broadband Internet Project was initiated in 2019 after Haldimand County Council formally adopted 8 corporate priorities for the 2018-2022 term – one of these being facilitating the delivery of high-speed, reliable internet service to all Haldimand County residents.

With assistance from a third party Technical Consultant, staff have prepared a draft Project Agreement (PA) and Negotiated Request for Proposal Agreement (NRFP) outlining all technical and financial project requirements including: 1) the technical feasibility of proposed service deployment, 2) service deployment timelines and 3) a comprehensive cost analysis. These components are of critical importance and will guide evaluations of all pre-qualified internet service providers (ISPs) moving forward.

The public survey is intended to gather feedback on community needs and what is important in terms of high-speed internet access. The survey asks residents to provide information about their current internet service, including average monthly cost, data limits, reliability and customer service satisfaction.
Residents are encouraged to have their latest bill or service contract on hand to answer some of the questions in greater detail.

Residents who do not currently have internet access may request a physical copy by calling 905-318-5932. Staff will send copies via mail and residents may return completed surveys to the Haldimand County Administration Building in person (via the secure drop box located on the Chippewa St. side of the Administration Building) or mail.

Community feedback collected from the survey will be used to inform & finalize the Project Agreement & Negotiated Request For Proposal documents, which will be issued to the successful proponent in late May. The survey will remain open until April 17.

For more information on the Broadband Internet Project, visit HaldimandCounty.ca/broadband/. To access the survey directly, visit surveymonkey.com/r/HCbroadband/.

Haldimand County Public Library, Museum And Recreation Staff Offer Stay-At-Home Activity Suggestions

All residents of Haldimand County are encouraged to stay at home to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Haldimand County Public Library, museum and recreation staff have developed a number of stay-at-home activities to keep the community engaged and entertained. In addition to compiling a directory of stay-at-home activity suggestions for all ages, staff are offering virtual story times, a LEGO Challenge for kids, ‘Guess the Artifact’ quizzes & more.

To access the stay-at-home resource directory, residents can visit HaldimandCounty.ca and click on ‘Stay At Home Activities’. New links and activity suggestions are being added continuously. Activities range from coloring sheets to kid-friendly recipes, home workout videos, free downloadable eBooks, music and more. Just this week, the library has acquired 250 new, bestseller e-books that can be downloaded through its Axis360 e-book service.

Normally, signing up for a library card requires an in-person visit, however, staff will be issuing library cards electronically so residents can access the library’s full range of online resources. Residents who would like to sign up for a library card can e-mail the library to do so.

On Facebook, residents can join the County’s Heritage Centre curator for ‘Guess the Artifact’ pop-up quizzes, featuring relics from the Haldimand County archives. Parents can also visit the Library’s Facebook page for upbeat fun and learning resources, including virtual story times & a LEGO Challenge for kids.

The Library has also launched a Community Art Gallery project and is encouraging residents to submit photos of their stay-at-home creations to be showcased. All creations – such as crafts, paintings, sculptures, mosaics, collages, needlecraft, photography, drawings, etc. – will be accepted.

Although the museum is closed to the public, anyone interested in starting a family research project or learning about their roots is encouraged to contact the museum curator for virtual research assistance. Starting a family tree project can be a great activity for the whole family. It’s a fun and educational way to pass time together, learn about the past and make new memories. To get started, e-mail museum.archives@haldimandcounty.on.ca or call 905-318-5932 ext. 6613.

While library branches are closed, staff are available to answer questions via e-mail. Any library materials currently on loan, regardless of due date, will be accepted without fines once the library reopens. Residents are asked to not drop off borrowed materials until the library re-opens.

For local information about the COVID-19 pandemic – including facility closures, program cancellations, meeting postponement & visitation restriction information – visit HaldimandCounty.ca/covid-19/.

For the most up-to-date public health information, visit the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit’s website.

Haldimand County Closes More Public Amenities In Accordance With Provincial Order, Increases Enforcement Measures

Haldimand County has closed a number of additional facilities in accordance with the Province of Ontario’s recent order to close ALL outdoor recreational amenities, including trails, parks, sports fields, pavilions, skate parks, beaches, boat launches, piers, docks, etc. In an effort to protect community health & safety, the County is increasing patrols and re-deploying municipal enforcement services and building inspection staff to enforce these provincial public health orders.

Residents may report individuals violating public health orders  to the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit’s COVID-19 Enforcement Hotline at 519-428-8019.

Residents can use the hotline to report a variety of issues, including:

  • Non-essential businesses remaining open
  • An essential business that isn’t complying with necessary restrictions
  • Gatherings of five or more people
  • The use of playgrounds, skate parks, parks, piers and beaches
  • Any other violations of public health orders issued by the Medical Officer of Health or the Province of Ontario

All reports received at this number will be forwarded to Haldimand County’s municipal enforcement services staff or the OPP and investigated. The County has redeployed some of its building inspectors to support municipal law enforcement officers in patrols, enforcement of park / public space closures and public gathering dispersals.

“Both Council and staff continue to receive reports of people violating provincial orders and disregarding instructions from public health authorities,” said Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt. “We’ve had to barricade the Port Maitland Pier/Esplanade Park because people just aren’t listening. There is absolutely no excuse for this behavior and we will be acting within the fullest extent of our authority to penalize violators,” Hewitt added.

The County will be closely monitoring the local compliance/enforcement situation and will take further action if necessary. The Port Maitland Pier, park, esplanade and beach have been fully closed due to crowding, and enforcement officers will be patrolling the area. “Stay home, stay safe and take this seriously,” Hewitt concluded.

For local information about the COVID-19 pandemic – including facility closures, program cancellations, meeting postponement & visitation restriction information – visit HaldimandCounty.ca/covid-19/.

For the most up-to-date public health information, visit the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit’s website.

Haldimand County Emergency Services Continues To Appeal To The Community & Businesses For Supplies, Volunteers

Haldimand County Emergency Services is continuing to appeal to the community for donations of much needed supplies to keep front-line healthcare workers safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Necessary supplies include:

– N95 and surgical masks
– Non-latex medical examination gloves/Nitrile gloves
– Safety goggles/glasses
– Face shields
– Disposable medical gowns

If you have any of these items and want to donate them, please drop them off at Haldimand County’s EMS Headquarters at 11 Thorburn St. (Cayuga), between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Please call ahead 905-318-5932 ext. 6235 or e-mail emergencyservices@haldimandcounty.on.ca to coordinate drop-off. All donations are greatly appreciated.

Volunteers are also needed for a variety of tasks to address community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic including delivering food, medications and other supplies to seniors in self-isolation.

Those with relevant skills and experience – for example nursing staff (registered or not), dieticians, personal support workers, food handlers, chefs, respiratory therapists, health care aides and others – are encouraged to securely register at https://hnhu.org/covidvolunteers/. Potential volunteers can also leave a voicemail at 519-426-1947 or 905-774-1530.

Haldimand County Economic Development & Tourism division offering support, resources to Local businesses affected by COVID-19

Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of the local economy, and it’s safe to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected your business. We know that for business this is a difficult time, the information you need to run your business changes rapidly, and it can be hard to keep track and make sense of it all. Local businesses are facing immediate challenges, or closures, and are worrying about how the situation will continue to evolve. During these critical times, it’s important to slow down, be thoughtful and proceed with a plan that is going to stabilize your business in the long-term. Amid this uncertainty, we want to be clear. We are here to support you.

“Business owners are having to navigate a very uncertain future right now and it’s not a one size fits all impact on local business,” said Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt. “As efforts ramp up to keep COVID-19 from spreading, industry works to achieve business continuity while focusing on the health and safety of their employees. It’s no simple task.  As we collectively work through this challenging period together, we would like to emphasize that the Economic Development and Tourism Division in Haldimand County continue to be available via phone and email to discuss how ongoing Provincial and Federal announcements may apply to your individual business situation.”

In order to relieve some of the pressure on small businesses, we are gathering the information you need about government services and support in Ontario and putting them in one convenient location. Information is updated daily on the BusinessHaldimand.ca Covid-19 Business Information & Resources page, and is aimed at highlighting resources that may apply to businesses and key sectors in our community. Additionally the Economic Development & Tourism Newsletter, provides key updates direct to your inbox, to sign up visit dev.haldimandcounty.ca/main_website/economic-development-news/.

Haldimand County’s Economic Development and Tourism Division continues to work collaboratively with industry associations, provincial governments, and local businesses to provide input, inform discussions and collect information that can assist business owners in rural communities through these difficult times.  We are calling on all local businesses to provide us insights into how the situation has directly impacted your operations. The survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BFZT9P7 and its responses will be used to detail the impacts that COVID-19 is having on our local business community. The survey will continue to be circulated every few weeks to gain insight into the longer-term impacts.

Even during these challenging times, local businesses in Haldimand County are continually showing their resilience. Finding ways to support those in need in our communities, re-tooling to produce much needed supplies, and engaging their customers in new and innovative ways. If your business is one of those companies that has been able to introduce modifications to your operations that keep you safely open, a new product/service you have created to continue operating your business, or your operation is helping support the needs of the medical community, we want to hear from you. Send your good news to opportunity@haldimandcounty.on.ca so we can share the good work you are doing with our community.

For those who live in our community, we encourage you to consider ways to support our local small businesses, purchase products online, share their special offers, and help them boost their online reach. Remember to stay home, wash your hands and support local whenever you can!

Economic Development and Tourism staff are available to provide you with ongoing support, advice and resources – contact us by phone 905-318-5932 or email opportunity@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

Haldimand County Permits Seasonal Campgrounds And Trailer Parks To Open Early Under Exceptional Circumstances

Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt has issued an order permitting seasonal trailer parks to open earlier than usual. Under the same order, travel trailers or mobile homes on residential properties may be opened and occupied for purposes of self-isolation, in accordance with directives from the Medical Officer of Health. These temporary allowances have been made to accommodate residents returning to Haldimand after wintering abroad who have had to return earlier than expected and self-isolate for 14 days.

Normally, seasonal campgrounds and trailer parks are permitted to open from April 15 to October 31. Limitations on times of occupancy are a zoning by-law matter, & seasonal restrictions are related to health & safety concerns (adequate heating, and the functionality of communal water & sanitation systems). Given the mild weather, opening seasonal trailer parks early is not a significant concern. Legislatively, campgrounds & trailer parks are obliged to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Health Promotion and Protection Act & the Fire Protection and Prevention Act.

As long as these provincial requirements are met by site operators, campgrounds & parks may be opened early this year. Site operators will need to decide whether they are able to provide all necessary services & comply with all provincial legislation.

Furthermore, any resident who is required to self-isolate will be permitted to occupy an attached or detached secondary suite (e.g: motor home, travel trailer) on their residential property, regardless of zoning. Normally, use of such facilities would not be permitted under municipal zoning but will be as an interim measure.

“We were contacted by a number of residents stuck abroad and seasonal sites requesting flexibility under these exceptional circumstances,” said Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt. “This order allows residents to access their trailers or mobile homes in order to self-isolate & prevent community transmission,” he added.

As per the written order, these special allowances will expire once the State of Emergency is lifted.

Haldimand County Fire Department Provides Update On Burn Permits During COVID-19 Situation

Haldimand County Fire Department is advising residents that open-air burning may continue while the COVID-19 situation unfolds, as long as a proper permit has been acquired and open-air fire burning by-laws are followed. No new burn permits will be issued until further notice due to the closure of the Haldimand County Administration Building, however, staff are working to develop an online permit application and processing tool.

Residents with non-recreational open-air burn permits are reminded that:

– Burns must be conducted between sunrise and sunset
– Burns must be confined to an area which is at least 60m from any buildings, highway, road or wooded area
– The burn area must not exceed 6m x 6m
– Smoke must not have a negative impact on the visibility of motorists or neighbours
– Favourable weather conditions must be present: no fog, no air quality alerts, no burn bans, winds less than 20 km/hr
– The fire must be attended, controlled and supervised at all times
– The fire must be completely extinguished before the site is vacated

An Open-Air Burn Guide & other fire safety resources are available at HaldimandCounty.ca/fire-services/.

For local information about the COVID-19 pandemic – including facility closures, program cancellations, municipal service options & other key details, visit HaldimandCounty.ca/covid-19/.

Haldimand County Emergency Services Worker Tests Positive For COVID-19

A Haldimand County emergency services staff member has tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member, who is not a resident of Haldimand, was tested outside of the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit’s district. The patient is recovering at home in self-isolation, and the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit is following up with anyone who may have been in close contact.

Haldimand County, working in partnership with public health, hospitals, community health centers & physicians, has mobilized the necessary resources to respond to COVID-19. Haldimand-Norfolk’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Shanker Nesathurai has emphasized that the health unit is well equipped to employ public health management protocols for a case of this nature.

“This news may be unsettling, but it isn’t a shock. Like so many other communities, we’ve been preparing for this scenario. The Health Unit has initiated its case management protocol and are in constant contact with our Emergency Operations team,” said Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt. “We’re leveraging all possible resources to combat this virus and protect the health and safety of frontline workers, our staff and our community,” he added.

Mayor Hewitt is encouraging residents to follow directions from local and provincial healthcare authorities, including practicing social distancing and avoiding non-essential trips into the community.

For up-to-date public health information, including frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and updates from the Medical Officer of Health, visit the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit’s website.

For local information about the COVID-19 pandemic – including facility closures, program cancellations, meeting postponement & visitation restriction information – visit HaldimandCounty.ca/covid-19/ or NorfolkCounty.ca/covid-19.

Haldimand, Norfolk counties declare emergencies

On Tuesday, March 24, both Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt & Norfolk County Mayor Kristal Chopp declared emergencies for their respective communities.

Declaring an emergency allows municipalities to swiftly take action on activities that are violating public health officials’ orders. Declaring an emergency also allows municipalities to tap into provincial resources & emergency funding that would not otherwise be available.

“While I have been in close communication with Mayor Chopp, declaring an emergency will allow both Haldimand & Norfolk counties to make quicker decisions, support our health team in a more expeditious manner and implement additional measures to protect the health & well-being of our communities,” said Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt. “We’ll continue to do everything in our power to stop the spread of COVID-19, and I ask that residents do their part as well. Stay home, stay safe and look out for one another,” Hewitt added.

“Staff in both counties, as well as with the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit, are working around the clock to keep our communities safe and healthy during this pandemic,” said Kristal Chopp, Mayor of Norfolk County. “Mayor Hewitt and I are in constant communication with each other and our shared Medical Officer of Health to ensure decision-making is timely and serves the best interests of Haldimand and Norfolk.  I will continue to act as board chair and both Mayor Hewitt and I will strive to ensure you are fully updated as well as all necessary steps are being taken to protect our respective communities.”

For local information about the COVID-19 pandemic – including facility closures, program cancellations, meeting postponement & visitation restriction information – visit HaldimandCounty.ca/covid-19/ or NorfolkCounty.ca/covid-19.

For up-to-date public health information, including frequently asked questions about COVID-19 and daily updated from the Medical Officer of Health, visit the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit’s website.