Haldimand County Hosting Small Business Week Celebration

On Wednesday, October 17, 2018, Haldimand County will celebrate Small Business Week at the Caledonia Lions Club from 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. Small Business Week is a national celebration that recognizes Canadian entrepreneurs, their successes and community contributions.

The Caledonia Chamber of Commerce will be hosting this year’s celebration in partnership with the Haldimand Business Network. All Haldimand County business owners  are invited to attend the event, which includes a complimentary breakfast and keynote speaker (Steve Fenton, President of Battlefield International). The event is free of charge, but attendees are asked to pre-register online.

“This breakfast is an excellent opportunity to recognize and celebrate the numerous contributions local entrepreneurs and business owners provide to our communities,” said Lidy Romanuk, Haldimand County’s Manager of Economic Development and Tourism. “The event also gives local businesses a chance to network, collaborate and learn from one another,” she added.

Business owners who wish to attend the celebration event may register on-line via BusinessHaldimand.ca or by phone (905-318-5932 ext. 6331). The deadline to register is October 12th.

Haldimand County Continues To Improve Capital Project Process

Over the past four years Haldimand County has substantially increased the number and total dollar value of capital projects designed to meet the growing needs of Haldimand County residents, while at the same time, renew and sustain the County’s existing infrastructure.

During this period, the number of active capital projects has grown from about 500 projects per year to over 600 projects per year and the funding has increased from approximately $100 million to over $120 million. The delivery of the capital project program has largely been accommodated with existing staff.

While the vast majority of these projects – over 97% – are delivered on time and within budget there are always one or two projects that do not meet Council, staff and public expectations related to timing and/or the final product. Following Haldimand County’s philosophy of continuous improvement, Council has directed staff to review the capital project program and seek ways to maximize project successes.

As part of this directive, County staff will be reviewing ways to improve and strengthen the ability to meet these expectations by considering measures such as requiring contractor prequalification for more projects; increased penalties to contractors to enforce start and end dates for construction contracts; and, reviewing holdback types and amounts to ensure contractor performance.

It is anticipated that this review and implementation of appropriate changes to capital project contract management will further reduce the number of projects that are not delivered satisfactorily.

Cayuga Grand Vista Trail Construction Nearing Completion

Construction on Haldimand County’s newest trail, the Cayuga Grand Vista, is nearing completion. Work on the highly anticipated trail project has been underway since spring 2018, and the route will open to the public later this fall.

The Cayuga Grand Vista trailhead is located behind the Cayuga Courthouse at 55 Munsee St. N. The trail will take pedestrians and cyclists on a scenic loop from the courthouse over the Grand River on the restored CN bridge to King George St. and Maple Rd. and back to the courthouse via Talbot St. E. and Munsee St. N. Two lookout platforms on the east and west sides of the bridge will offer picturesque views of the river and its natural surroundings.

Each lookout has been designated with a name of local individuals that have noted accomplishments locally, provincially and federally – the Honourable Madame Justice Helen Kinnear and the Honourable Dr. Justice T. David Marshall. Plaques will be installed at both lookouts with descriptions of their accomplishments.

“The Cayuga Grand Vista is a great addition to the community. It provides an opportunity for recreation and education,” noted Sheila Wilson, Manager, Community Development and Partnerships. “The peaceful setting and naming plaques offer a unique connection to Cayuga’s past,” she continued.

“The trail will be open in the next few weeks,” Wilson added. “We are waiting on the delivery of gates to prevent unauthorized vehicles from accessing the trail. The gates are a standard design feature incorporated into all trails to ensure pedestrian and cyclist safety.”

An announcement will be posted on the County website and social media accounts once the construction fences come down and the trail is open for use. Residents are reminded that construction sites are not to be accessed by the public and are requested to call the OPP if they witness vehicles using County parkland or trails.

An official Grand Opening Celebration will be scheduled for early spring of 2019.

An aerial view of the Cayuga Grand Vista trail.

Hydro One Operations Centre Coming To Dunnville

Haldimand County and Hydro One Networks Inc. (Hydro One) are pleased to announce that the project to develop a Hydro One Operations Centre in Dunnville, Ontario is underway.

In 2015, Hydro One determined the need to establish an Operations Centre on the east side of Haldimand County to better serve the region. Currently, Hydro One and Haldimand County are working closely together to identify a suitable site within Dunnville that meets the necessary requirements for this development.

Representatives from Hydro One recently met with Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt to discuss the proposed development. The new Hydro One Operations Centre planned for Dunnville will include the construction of a new building of approximately 15,000 square feet in size and bring approximately 20 new jobs to the community.

At this time, Hydro One is conducting its due diligence to identify a preferred location for the new Operations Centre. Once a site has been selected and a conditional agreement of purchase and sale is in place, the design and engineering phase will begin.  It is anticipated that construction of this project will begin in 2020 and be completed in early 2021.

“Haldimand County is pleased to be working closely with Hydro One on this project that will see new and positive growth for our community,” said Mayor Hewitt. “We are looking forward to the development of the new Hydro One Operations Centre in Dunnville.”

Haldimand Museum Announces ‘Haunted’ October Event Schedule

Haldimand Museum & Archives will be hosting three ‘spooky’ programs and events in the weeks leading up to Halloween. A haunted walking tour, lecture on famous gothic novelist Bram Stoker and an exploration of Haldimand’s most haunted places will be offered. All events run from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Haldimand County Museums & Archives in Cayuga (8 Echo Street).

October 17 – Heritage Series: Bram Stoker  

At this installment of the museum’s Heritage Series, attendees will learn all about Bram Stoker, the Irish author best known for his Gothic tale Dracula (1897). As a young student he became interested in theatre and began his career as a theatre critic for the Dublin Evening Mail. Stoker also wrote short stories and several other novels including The Primrose Path (1875), The Snakes Pass (1890) and others. Pre-registration is required for this program; the cost is $5/person (registration code: 6283). Light refreshments will be served.

October 24 – Walking Tour of Cayuga: Ghostly Tales

Join museum staff for a stroll around Cayuga’s most ghostly haunts with stories of murder, mayhem and ghost sightings. The Cayuga Courthouse was the site of several hangings (including members of the infamous Townsend Gang), two of whom are buried in the jail yard.  Discover what curse was put on Cayuga by a wrongly accused person and other spooky facts. Pre-registration is required for this program; the cost is $10/person (registration code: 6284). Light refreshments will be served.

October 31 – Halloween Tea & Talk

At this talk, museum staff will highlight some of the Grand River’s most chilling ghost stories and haunted places. Fresh scones, raspberry jam and other sweet treats will be served. Pre-registration is required for this event; the cost is $10/person (registration code: 6285).

For more information on museum programs and events, contact the museum at 905-772-5880 or email krichardson@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

County Seeking Public Input For Economic Development & Tourism Brand Strategy

Haldimand County’s Economic Development and Tourism Division is seeking community input to develop its brand strategy. The brand redevelopment project, identified as a priority in the 2017 Council-approved Economic Development and Tourism strategy, has been initiated to enhance the County’s positioning as an exceptional place to live, visit and conduct business.

The branding initiative’s objective is to clearly ‘tell the story’ about what Haldimand County has to offer and why potential investors, businesses and visitors should choose Haldimand. The project will develop and deliver a defined, resilient brand identity that describes Haldimand’s competitive advantage, engages people, drives action and represents the many attributes of its unique communities.

“We would like to invite key stakeholders and members of the public to provide input and guide the brand development,” said Lidy Romanuk, Manager, Economic Development and Tourism. “It is important that we use a collaborative process to not only identify Haldimand’s unique story and competitive advantage, but to obtain support and public insight for the final brand,” she continued.

Over the next several weeks – through a series of focus groups, surveys and interviews – the County will be collecting input directly from local stakeholders including residents of all ages, business owners, local volunteers and community groups. Additional consultation will take place beyond Haldimand County to ensure an external perspective informs the final brand.

The re-branding project process will be facilitated by design and marketing firm CQNS. “CQNS has extensive experience working with municipalities and their Economic Development and Tourism organizations,” Romanuk noted. The Economic Development and Tourism Division will work closely with the CQNS team to conduct research and carry out the re-brand’s implementation.

Residents are invited to provide their input by attending a focus group or completing an online survey (open until October 12). Focus groups will be held on the following dates and locations:

Focus Group Session #1: CAYUGA

Date: Wednesday, October 3

Time: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Location: Cayuga Arena – 55 Thorburn St. S, Cayuga, ON N0A 1E0 (upstairs meeting room, McSorley Hall)

 

Focus Group Session #2: DUNNVILLE

Date: Wednesday, October 3

Time: 6 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.

Location: Dunnville Library – 317 Chestnut St, Dunnville, ON N1A 2H4 (upstairs, Programming Room)

 

Focus Group Session #3: HAGERSVILLE

Date: Thursday, October 4

Time: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Location: Hagersville Arena – 36 Sherring St. North, Hagersville, ON N0A 1H0 (upstairs meeting room, Almas Room)

 

Focus Group Session #4: CALEDONIA

Date: Thursday, October 4

Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Location: Caledonia Library – 100 Haddington St, Caledonia, ON N3W 2N4

Residents who wish to attend a focus group session can contact the Haldimand County Economic Development and Tourism Division at BusinessHaldimand.ca or 905-318-5392 ext. 6331 to register. Residents who are unable to attend an in-person session are encouraged to complete the survey, accessible via BusinessHaldimand.ca or directly at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/haldimand-branding.

Golden Age Of Radio Exhibit Opening At Haldimand Museum & Archives

Haldimand County Museum & Archives is celebrating the history of radio with its latest exhibit, The Golden Age of Radio opening on October 3, 2018 at 1 pm.

The exhibit opening will kick off with a talk on the exhibit led by museum curator Karen Richardson. Special guest Peter Jaycock, morning host on 92.9 The Grand FM, will be on hand to guide visitors through the process of making commercials through hands-on participation.  Peter will also give participants the opportunity to do a live, on-air promotion.

The Golden Age of Radio exhibit takes a nostalgic look at radio’s golden age; it will feature a number of artifacts from the museum’s collection as well as special displays created in partnership with Mohawk College’s Entertainment Business class.

The invention of the radio is largely credited to Guglielmo Marconi who, in 1894, began to develop the theory of a wireless telegraph system based on the use of Hertzian waves (radio waves). In 1897, Marconi established the first radio station on the Isle of Wright.

Commercial radio broadcasting began in the early 1920s and lasted until the 1950s. Entertainment programs including radio plays, mystery serials, soap operas, quiz shows, talent shows, variety hours, situation comedies, play-by-play sports, children’s shows, cooking shows and up to the minute news.

Admission to the museum is by donation, and complementary refreshments will be served at the exhibit opening on October 3. The exhibit will be open to the public until December 17, 2018.

For more information on museum exhibits and programming, contact the museum at 905-772-5880 or email Karen Richardson, museum curator at krichardson@haldimandcounty.on.ca.

Take Back The Light Program Success: County Recycling Efforts Making An Impact

In 2017, Haldimand County joined the Recycling Council of Ontario’s Take Back The Light program – Canada’s leading fluorescent lamp and light fixture recycling program for businesses and institutions. As per the latest program statistics, the County has recycled over 14,450 lamps to date.

Upon joining Take Back The Light in 2017, the County’s Solid Waste Operations team set out with a plan: to work collaboratively with staff responsible for replacing fluorescent lighting in arenas, administration building, libraries, and other municipal facilities. A lighting replacement and maintenance strategy was developed, along with a Take Back The Light-approved process for safely disposing of old bulbs and fixtures. In addition, residents were urged to bring their used light fixtures to various hazardous waste drop-off events – residential participation is a key driver for program success.

The improper disposal of fluorescent lamps results in hundreds of kilograms of mercury leaking into the environment and contaminating water bodies. Through Take Back The Light, 98 per cent of each lamp/light collected is diverted from disposal. The light and lamp components – glass, aluminum, phosphorus and mercury – are recycled to make new products.

By recycling 14,450 lamps, Haldimand County has ensured the proper end of life management of .050 kg of mercury, 48.7 kg of phosphorus, 3411.0 kg of glass and 50.0 kg of metals.

Residents who have fluorescent lights or old lamps they wish to dispose of are encouraged to drop them off at designated Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) disposal events run by the County. The next HHW event will take place on Saturday, September 29th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hagersville Secondary School.

Residents with questions about the County’s solid waste or recycling programs are encouraged to consult their Waste & Recycling Guide or download the Recycle Coach app.

Haldimand County Votes – Advance Polling And Election Day Information

Election Day in Haldimand County is October 22, 2018. Visit the election page to confirm your voting eligibility, view advance polling dates, locations and times and other key details.

Election 2018 Quick Facts

• Residents – especially those who recently moved to Haldimand County – are strongly encouraged to check that they are on the Voters’ List. A Voter Registration Portal is available on the election page.

• Advance polling stations are open from October 5 – 13 and are a great way to avoid possible Election Day lineups. Assistive voting devices will be available at the Hagersville Memorial Arena, Grandview Lodge and Caledonia Lions Community Centre advance polling stations.

• Residents can vote at any advance polling station or any Election Day voting location (October 22), regardless of their ward.

• On Election Day, assistive voting devices will be available at the Cayuga Memorial Arena voting location.

• Residents who are unable to make it in person to vote may assign a proxy to vote on their behalf. Instructions and proxy assignment forms are available on the County’s election page.

• In order to cast a ballot, residents must provide 1 piece of identification listing their name and qualifying  address (e.g: driver’s license, utility bill, mortgage statement, etc). A list of acceptable ID is available on the election page. As passports are not issued with addresses, they will not be accepted as ID.

For further information about Haldimand County’s 2018 Municipal Election, visit haldimandcounty.on.ca/election or contact the Clerks office.

Grand Opening Celebration Planned For Dunnville Farmers Market And Waterfront Park

Haldimand County is pleased to announce that the highly anticipated Dunnville Waterfront Park and Farmers Market pavilion projects are now complete and open to the public.

Haldimand County and the Dunnville Farmers Market Association invite all residents to attend the grand opening celebration for the new Dunnville Farmers Market and Waterfront Park on Saturday, September 29, 2018.

The celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at 218 Main Street East, Dunnville and include speeches, a ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication of a 140 year old heritage tree located in the park. Refreshments will be provided and vendors will be onsite with locally grown produce for purchase.

The Market will be open from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm on with activities for kids as well as entertainment.

The new market creates a space in Dunnville where shoppers and families can connect with local farmers and learn where their food comes from.

“After several years of community stakeholder input and involvement, the transformation of these riverfront lands has come to fruition with the $1.8 million dollar construction of the Dunnville Waterfront Park and Market Pavilion,” explained Mayor Ken Hewitt. “The market building is a great multi-use structure that will facilitate additional events and activities. This increased usage generates the potential for long-term economic benefits,” he added. “The use of the old arena lands to create the 1.5 acre Waterfront Park enhances the downtown with a beautiful riverside asset that includes walkways, park benches, lighting and landscaping that will be enjoyed by residents and visitors for years to come,” he concluded.

The Dunnville Farmers Market is open on Tuesday and Saturday mornings from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. until Saturday, December 22nd.