Mayor’s Levee

Mayor Ferguson provides an update at this council’s midterm

It was an afternoon of family activities at this year’s Mayor’s Levee on Sunday, January 5 in the Rotary Hall at the Picton Community Centre. In a change from the more formal format of past years, there was colouring and cookie decorating for kids, books from County Kids Read and a photo booth, as well as free skating in the arena. The Friends of the Museums provided refreshments for the afternoon. Mayor Ferguson thanked all those who attended and those who helped organize the event, in particular Janice Hubbs, Sandy Latchford and the mayor’s administrative assistant Joy McLeod. Among the attendees were members of the public, senior County staff, Fire Department staff and volunteers and representatives from neighbouring municipalities, including Quinte West mayor Jim Harrison, Belleville mayor Neil Ellis, Hastings Warden Bob Mullin, and recently elected MPP Tyler Allsopp and his family. Mayor Ferguson then introduced County councillors Kate Macnaughton, Phil St-Jean, Brad Nieman, Sam Grosso, Janice Maynard, Sam Branderhorst, Bill Roberts, Dave Harrison and John Hirsch. Breaking with the formality of the past, the councillors were sitting among the audience, rather than being arrayed in a line with the mayor. Councillors Phil Prinzen, Corey Engelsdorfer, Roy Pennell and Chris Braney were unable to attend.

Mayor Ferguson noted that councillors’ duties extend well beyond attending council meetings, with members each belonging to several different committees or serving on various boards. He singled out the efforts of the County Road 49 Working Committee “We are working to get that road rehabilitated— in our lifetime,” he said, prompting a ripple of laughter. “I am looking forward to a day when that committee will no longer be necessary.” Mayor Ferguson noted that while he and the elected councillors are the public face of the municipality, it is a team effort with many supporting workers behind the scenes. “The strength of this organization is in the staff members who work day in and day out to serve this community.”

This term of council is now midway through its mandate, and Mayor Ferguson took a look back at the accomplishments over the past year. “I can’t help but think of the day back in August when the dream became a reality. With the shovels in the ground for the new Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital, it was truly remarkable. We all look forward to seeing the new hospital take shape as we move towards its opening in 2027,” he said. Another area of progress has been in the recruitment of family physicians to work in the County. At the beginning of 2024, there were over 2,000 County residents on the waiting list for a family doctor. Since that time 750 have been rostered with a physician, and Mayor Ferguson expects that another 750 will be assigned a family doctor by March. He noted that Family Health Team’s Community Clinic initiative has helped hundreds of patients to access the health care they needed. That initiative was given a Spotlight Award by the Association of Family Health Teams in Ontario.

Looking ahead to 2025, Mayor Ferguson pointed to the redevelopment of the long-term care home, with an increased number of beds, which he said would take away some of the strain imposed upon the local hospital. A major area of focus will be the provision of affordable and attainable housing. “Having a roof over your head is one of the most important necessities of life. Sadly, that is something that some people in our community struggle to acquire and maintain,” he said. The opening of Leeward House last year provided nine people with a supportive living environment, which will help them on their way to permanent and sustainable housing. Mayor Ferguson said that transitional housing is part of the continuum in the County’s housing strategy, and the municipality is working collaboratively to support the construction of affordable housing units. One project on the horizon is the redevelopment of the former Queen Elizabeth School property, which will provide affordable housing as well as a community space for education, health care, and food security.

Water and wastewater will be another focus this year. Mayor Ferguson said a recent $18.3 million dollar grant will be used to upgrade the water plant in Wellington, providing capacity for 4,200 housing units of all types over the next seven years, plus an additional 4,500 units from 2033 to 2043. The municipality has applied for $20 million to support the rehabilitation of County Road 49, which he called “a vital entry point into the County”. He thanked MPP Allsopp for his efforts to keep this a top priority at Queen’s Park. Mayor Ferguson also pledged better and more transparent communications about ongoing projects. “The County will inevitably evolve in 2025 and beyond. We will develop and implement a local action plan for reducing emissions to combat climate change, strive to expand public transit to help residents move more easily, efficiently and sustainably throughout Prince Edward County and our neighbouring communities. We will finalize our plans to maintain and protect our built heritage and cultural heritage. We will provide recreational services and facilities to meet the needs of the growing and changing population. We can rise to the challenge and work together to foster a well-rounded community.”

Councillor Sam Branderhorst said that some of her most satisfying experiences over the past two years have been when speaking to residents and service groups, listening to their concerns or suggestions and helping to foster connections. The first-time councillor has become more adept at balancing the responsibilities of her job as a community representative with the demands of being a young mother. She said the first year was a bit overwhelming, but she has learned to put strong barriers in place, and she is grateful that the community understands that at times her family will take precedence. “The grace that the community has given me with that is pretty amazing,” she said. One the highlights for her has been her work with the Prince Edward Lennox Addington Social Services (PELASS). “All of the work that I’ve been able to do with PELASS has been a highlight for me. Being able to help our most vulnerable in Prince Edward County has been incredibly rewarding.” She is currently working on her MBA, and hopes to bring that experience and knowledge to her role as councillor. “I want to help leverage some provincial financing and help raise the municipality’s voice on a larger stage. I want to speak to our community partners and other municipalities and bring in some fresh ideas.”