Friends of the Jarvis Library offering special programs & events this fall

The Friends of the Jarvis Library are offering a number of creative & educational programs out of the Jarvis Library branch this fall.

September: Book Hedgehog

Workshop by Marilyn Sutor – Make a cute hedgehog out of a recycled book!

Date & Time: Tues, September 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Cost: $5.00 due upon registration.

October: Crazy Quilt Square

Helen Sluis will guide you in making a unique piece of hand-quilted whimsy!

Date & Time: Tues, October 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Cost: $30.00 due upon registration.

November: Genealogy 101

Delve into your family history with Karen Richardson. Bring your own laptop/tablet, if you wish.

Date & Time: Thurs, November 7 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Cost: FREE! Please register to save your seat.

November: Christmas Gift Tags

Learn to make unique gift tags with Jennifer Kelly.

Date & Time: Tues, November 26 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Cost: $5.00 due upon registration

Please register one week in advance of all workshops.  Call the Library at 289-674-0400 ext. 5 for more information.

Haldimand County – Mohawk College Partnership Lets Residents Try College For Free

This fall, Haldimand County residents will be able to give college a try for free at the Dunnville Library. College 101 – presented by Mohawk College City School in partnership with Haldimand County Public Library – helps adults 19+ who are not currently enrolled in school prepare for success in a college environment. Participants who complete the 12-week program will earn a free general education credit towards their post-secondary studies at Mohawk.

College 101 will run two afternoons per week for 12 weeks at Haldimand County Public Library’s  Dunnville Branch beginning September 25. The program covers topics like what to expect in college, how to study and how to manage time/deal with stress. Participants will learn how to think critically, prepare an education/career plan, and how to be an adult student (while juggling work and daily life).

“In communities with limited local access to post-secondary education, the HCPL – Mohawk College partnership provides an opportunity for individuals to experience college programs in-person without the financial and personal stresses of jumping into post-secondary education full force,” says Lindsay Thomas, Community Outreach Coordinator for Haldimand County Public Library.

“Partnership programs like College 101, which the library plans to offer twice per year in various communities, and other programs like the Skilled Trades Awareness & Readiness Training, provide community members the building blocks they need to pursue their career dreams,” Thomas added.

Anyone interested in registering for College 101 may contact Mohawk College directly at 905-575-2489 or cityschool@mohawkcollege.ca. For more information about this and other learning opportunities through Mohawk College, visit Mohawk College’s website.

Second Public Education Meeting Set For Lake Erie Shoreline Hazard Mapping And Risk Assessment Study

In 2018, Haldimand County, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA), Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA) and the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA) initiated a study to update the Lake Erie shoreline flood, erosion and dynamic beach hazard mapping.

The majority of the work to update the hazard mapping to current mapping and technical standards is now complete. The second of two Public Education Centres (PEC) is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 21, 2019 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Selkirk Centennial Community Centre (34 Main Street West, Selkirk). The first PEC took place in September 2018.

The PEC will follow an open house format. There will be no formal presentations; however, the session will provide an opportunity for landowners and members of the public to learn about the findings of the study, as well as contribute their knowledge of local conditions. County and Conservation Authority staff will be available to answer questions and all members of the public interested in the project are welcome to attend.

This is a technical study to update hazard mapping. Updates to conservation authority shoreline management plans or policies, Haldimand County’s Emergency Response Plan and Official Plan are outside the scope of this project.

The PECs for this project will meet the requirements for public consultation for any resulting amendments to regulated area mapping of Ontario Regulations 150/06, 155/06 and 178/06 made under the Conservation Authorities Act.

Consistent hazard mapping across conservation authority jurisdictions is required to support land use planning and permitting decisions in at-risk communities and flood and erosion-related response and mitigation planning. Current shoreline hazard mapping for the County within LPRCA and GRCA jurisdictions was prepared in the late 1980s – early 1990s, while the mapping within the NPCA jurisdiction was updated in 2010.

The project will also update municipal risk assessment information for shoreline flooding, including inventorying at-risk infrastructure and estimating damage potential. It is anticipated the project will be completed by early 2020.

Haldimand County Named 13th Best Place To Live In Canada By Maclean’s Magazine

On Thursday, August 8, Maclean’s magazine released its list of Canada’s top 25 best communities to live in. Haldimand County – for the first time ever – made the top 25, taking spot #13 on the nation-wide list.

The annual ranking, compiled by Maclean’s, gathers data on 415 communities across the country and calculates which cities and towns offer the best quality of life. Communities were ranked after receiving points based on the following 10 categories: wealth and economy, affordability, health, weather, crime, commute, taxes, demographics, culture and community, and amenities.

“For all of us who live in and appreciate Haldimand County, this recognition is a testament to what we already know. Our proximity to nature, incredibly dedicated citizens, cultural & heritage assets, low tax rates, economic development potential and extensive recreation opportunities all contribute to the exceptional quality of life we’ve been recognized for,” stated Mayor Ken Hewitt.

“This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of County staff and all of the residents and businesses that make Haldimand County such a vibrant & welcoming place. On behalf of Council, thank you,” he added.

Maclean’s full list of community rankings can be found on the Maclean’s website.

New Cayuga Library & Heritage Centre Opening To The Public August 6th

On Tuesday, August 6, 2019, the new Cayuga Library & Heritage Centre at 19 Talbot St. West will open to the public. All library and museum services will be available on this ‘soft-open’ date, however, visitors should note that minor finishing touches (such as accent lighting, paint touch-ups and landscaping) will be ongoing for a few more weeks. A more formal ‘ribbon-cutting’ ceremony is being planned for a later date.

Construction on the new 6,455 square foot library and heritage centre in the heart of Cayuga’s downtown core began in June 2018. The new, fully integrated and accessible building is now home to both library and museum collections and programs as well as research services, which will provide visitors with an extremely unique learning and cultural experience.

Both library and museum staff and their respective Boards are excited to be able share this leading edge facility and have been working hard to ensure the new space is welcoming, warm and enriching for all ages. The first heritage exhibit on display, titled Back to Our Roots, features a number of artifacts from Haldimand County’s very first museum exhibit dating back to 1933 – which was located in a 22 square foot room within the existing Cayuga Courthouse.

Community consultations regarding the future of the old library & museum site – which will be developed into public parklands – will continue into the fall. Further opportunities to provide input into their design and development will be communicated to residents in the coming weeks.

More information on the new Cayuga Library & Heritage Centre, including hours of operation and services offered, is available at haldimandcounty.ca/cayugalhc.

Haldimand Museums Hosting Murder Mystery Cruise August 14

On Wednesday, August 14, Haldimand Museums is hosting its annual Murder Mystery Cruise aboard the Grand River Belle. Attendees will have the opportunity to step back in time and be entertained by a prohibition era-themed mystery.

It’s the 1920’s and prohibition is in full swing. You’ve been invited to an imitate party with local rumrunner kingpin Jay McCoy and his crew aboard his private yacht for an evening cruise down the Grand River. Coming along for the ride is a special shipment of ‘perfectly legal soda pop’ – ok… it’s really bootleg gin, but no really needs to know that…do they?

To help pass the time, the boat doubles as a speakeasy. Everything is going according to plan until someone is murdered. We need your help to solve this crime! Remember: in the criminal world of gangsters, crooked cops, flappers, and rumrunners, everyone is a suspect!

This 2-hour cruise departs from the Big Creek Boat Farm at 7 p.m. Cost is $25.00 per person and includes the cruise and light refreshments. Registration may be completed on-line at www.link.haldimandcounty.ca or in person at any Haldimand County office using program code 8400.

For details regarding the Murder Mystery Cruise, contact Edinburgh Square Heritage & Cultural Centre at 905-765-3134 or by e-mail at museums@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

Haldimand County Fire Department Reminding Residents Of Open Air Fire Burning By-Law

With the return of warm weather there has been an increase in the number of recreational and non-recreational fires in Haldimand County. The Haldimand County Fire Department is reminding residents of the Open Air Burn By-law and asking for everyone’s cooperation to ensure that outdoor fires are safe and controlled. During this hot & humid weather, any burning should be limited to recreational fires.

Recreational fires are allowed in all areas without a permit as long as the fire meets all of the regulations set out in the Open Air Burn By-law. These regulations include, but are not limited to: ensuring the fire is contained and supervised at all times and that it is set back at least 10 meters from combustible buildings/structures. A means of extinguishing the fire must be available and measures must be in place to ensure that no one is adversely affected by the products of combustion (smoke and odours).

Non-recreational fires are only permitted in certain areas of the County and require a burn permit that can be purchased at all County offices. Non-recreational fires must meet all of the regulations set out in the by-law. These regulations include, but are not limited to: ensuring fires are supervised at all times and contained to an area not exceeding 6 meters by 6 meters. Non-recreational fires must also be set back at least 60 meters from all buildings, roadways and anything combustible.

Open air fires that are not conducted according to the by-law present potential safety hazards. Anyone conducting an open air fire that violates the by-law are subject to fines, provincial prosecution and recovery of costs required to respond to and/or extinguish the fire.

Council, Staff Taking Steps To Deliver County-Wide Broadband Internet Service

Haldimand County Council is moving forward with its commitment to bringing affordable, reliable high-speed internet service to all residents. On July 16, 2019, staff released a Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) to short-list internet service providers capable of installing broadband infrastructure and facilitating County-wide internet services.

The Request for Pre-Qualification (RFPQ) is an invitation by Haldimand County to prospective bidders to submit proposals outlining their qualifications and experience. In order to make the RFPQ short list, bidders must demonstrate their ability – across multiple evaluation criteria – to facilitate County-wide internet services in the long-term. Bidders who meet the requirements outlined in the RFPQ and receive a passing score will be allowed to progress to the final selection stage.

It is anticipated that at the conclusion of the RFPQ process, staff will report back to Council and seek direction to initiate a Negotiated Request for Proposal process (NRFP) with a shortlisted number of proponents. Ultimately, negotiations will result in the selection of a successful bidder to install and facilitate internet services throughout all of Haldimand’s communities.

“This is an important step in making affordable, reliable high-speed internet available to all residents,” said Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt. “A reliable internet connection is not a luxury – it’s a necessity. Everyone in Haldimand County deserves access to this vital and basic service, whether it’s to stay connected with family, take care of day-to-day tasks, complete an online course or sustain a business,” Hewitt noted.

Community consultations will take place as the project progresses to obtain resident input, assess needs and address questions or concerns related to broadband internet service.

“We are committed to finding a financially sound, practical solution that makes internet connectivity attainable and sustainable for all. We’ll keep the public informed and engaged as the project moves forward,” added Mayor Hewitt.

The approximate project timeline – as listed in the RFPQ – is as follows:

Key MilestonesEstimated Commencement DateEstimated End Date
Issue RFPQJuly 16, 2019August 16, 2019
Evaluate RFPQ ProponentsAugust 19, 2019August 22, 2019
Issue NRFP to qualified biddersSeptember 24, 2019October 29, 2019
Evaluate NRFPOctober 30, 2019November 4, 2019
Enter Negotiations with shortlisted three (3) proponentsNovember 5, 2019November 26, 2019
Report to Council for approval of recommended bidderDecember 16, 2019December 16, 2019
Construction*Spring 2020*January 2025

 

*Timelines are established based on a tentative contract execution date of January 2020 and are subject to change.

Project updates will be posted on the County website and social media accounts as they become available.

Haldimand County Launching New Online E-Bidding System September 3

Haldimand County is making the switch to an online e-bidding system on September 3, 2019. The new system simplifies the procurement process for vendors and contractors and makes it easy to receive bid opportunities, addenda notifications, site meeting reminders, bid results & more.

The new system – called bids&tenders – provides vendors with a number of online, self-serve options. With the launch of the new system, tenders, proposals & prequalifications will be posted and available exclusively on bids&tenders free of charge. The bids&tenders system provides a custom vendor dashboard that displays all active and relevant opportunities.

At this time, there will be no change to the actual bid document submission process.

Haldimand County is offering two training sessions for vendors, with hands-on demonstrations and account setup assistance. Interested parties are asked to bring their own device (phone, tablet, laptop, etc). Vendors may choose from one of the following drop-in training sessions:

Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Time: 1p.m. OR 6p.m.
Location: Haldimand County Fire Station 4 (11 Thorburn Street, Cayuga ON N0A 1E0)

The training sessions are optional and geared towards vendors who wish to learn more about bids&tenders features or require help setting up their account. There is no cost to attend and no RSVP is required. Anyone seeking further information about the bids&tenders system or Haldimand County procurement practices may e-mail purchasing@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

Haldimand Museums Hosting Grand River Music Trivia Cruise In Partnership With 92.9 The Grand FM

Haldimand Museums has partnered with 92.9 The Grand FM to offer a Woodstock-themed Grand River Music Trivia Cruise featuring music trivia from the 1960s and 1970s. The cruise is scheduled for Wednesday, July 17 (5 – 7pm) and will depart at 5pm sharp at the Big Creek Boat Farm in Caledonia.

92.9 The Grand FM morning show hosts Peter Jaycock and Yvonne Van De Wiele will be providing entertainment & hosting the trivia portion of the evening. Guests can expect a variety of delicious snacks – both sweet and savoury – provided by Shelly’s Family Dining.

The cost to attend is $25.00 per person. Pre-registration for this event must be completed online via link.haldimandcounty.ca or at any Haldimand County Satellite office.

For additional information about this program, contact wmacdonald@haldimandcounty.on.ca. A full schedule of current museum offerings is available in the Spring/Summer 2019 Community Guide.