Heavy hand
MPP urges Council to fall in line with provincial priorities MPP Tyler Allsopp says that Mayor Steve Ferguson is right to worry that $18.3 million in provincial funding may be riding on Council’s decision not to endorse a waterworks financial strategy. “I share Mayor Ferguson’s concern that this funding (and possibly federal funding) could be […]
Slab woes
Long term care home construction work must be demolished and rebuilt Another infrastructure project is running into construction issues. The new 160-bed long-term care home in Picton is midway through construction. Framing is up, much of the groundwork is complete, and the project is still on track for a potential opening next year—though delayed from […]
Nuclear option
Mayor signals intention to veto council decision Less than 48 hours after County council ratified its decision not to pursue a costly and risky waterworks plan, Mayor Steve Ferguson has signaled his intention to veto that decision using strong mayor powers given to him by Doug Ford’s government. On Tuesday evening, council voted 8-6 to […]
Reconciling
Making sense of the numbers How does expanding existing waterworks in Picton and Wellington to accommodate one per cent growth cost more than a brand-new intake infrastructure, a new water plant in Wellington, a 20-kilometre pipeline and a distribution system at the Picton end? It is the conclusion presented to Council on August 27. It […]
Shire Hall responds
Editor’s note: In the September 2 issue of the Times, our story ‘Nudgeniks’ highlighted the complexity and possible contradictions between Shire Hall’s June report outlining various studies, Watson’s financial strategy presented on August 27 and a 2014 RV Anderson study that recommended a new intake and water plant in Picton. In pointing to the discrepancies, […]
Safe
Waterworks director’s comments stir confusion Picton’s water is safe. According to Shire Hall, the water supply in Picton is “perfectly safe to drink and use.” Moreover, the water is frequently tested to ensure it is safe. “We continually monitor and verify water quality to ensure it is meeting the required quality standards and limits for […]
Heritage concerns
Council approves Drake Devonshire expansion despite questions about heritage process Council has approved a heritage permit for the proposed expansion of the Drake Devonshire in Wellington, despite concerns from the County’s heritage advisory committee about the process and the scope of the project. The application will allow the demolition of the non-contributing building at 20 […]
Nudgeniks
Editor’s note: In the September 2 issue of the Times, this story highlighted the complexity and possible contradictions between Shire Hall’s June report outlining various studies, Watson’s financial strategy presented on August 27 and a 2014 RV Anderson study that recommended a new intake and water plant in Picton. In pointing to the discrepancies, we […]
No, thank you
Council declines to endorse regional water financial plan In the end, it was too much money. Too much debt. Too much risk. And too many unanswered questions. Then there was the startling admission that previous Shire Hall staff had put their thumb on the scale in the regional water servicing master plan. (See Comment, page […]
Much Ado About Nothing
County Shakespeare Company at Waring House Love is in the air, but so also are skullduggery and knavery, in the County Shakespeare Company’s production of Much Ado About Nothing, currently playing on the Théâtre Roulant stage at the Waring House. Company founder James Fraser, who both directs and acts in this production, says it’s his […]