Grand Opening of New Law Firm Appears In Downtown Peterborough

Passageway Law is Peterborough’s newest law firm to open as they had their grand opening of their offices in downtown Peterborough on Monday.

Meryn Steeves, lawyer and partner (left); Laura Wilson, paralegal and Robert Hiseler, lawyer and partner launched the firm on Monday. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The firm is located at 201 George St. N., Unit 301A across from Greg’s No Frills. It is a full-service law firm that covers areas such as family law, wills/estates, real estates, business law, notary services, paralegal services and more.

Passageway Law consists of a three-person team with Meryn Steeves and Rob Hiseler who are lawyers and partners. They’re joined by paralegal Laura Wilson to round out the trio.

‘Empathy’ is one of the firm’s largest values to provide clients and was a significant part of their vision when they opened the business according to Steeves.

“Keeping a focus on the client's experience is key,” she said. “Understanding that each client is an individual, they're going through a major life event whether it's a separation, buying a house or planning for after their death, it's a big deal to come into a lawyer's office.”

The firm says they understand that coming into a lawyer’s office can be intimidating or nerve-wracking. Steeves notes that the firm wants to create a welcoming environment and there is no stigma attached to visiting them.

“Most people don't do it more than a couple of times in their lifetime so we want to really focus on their experience as they come through our doors and understand the human side of it and understand that this is a major life point for them,” she explains.

The name is meant to serve as a way to modernize their firm, rather than listing the brand partners in a traditional sense according to their website. ‘Passageway’ lets clients know that the firm is a warm, welcoming and innovative place that’s happy to serve Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

“It was a dream of ours to do something like this,” explained Steeves. “All of our Pinterest boards, our vision boards and see the space come together. We're so excited to have our own space, to create our firm and bring our vision to life.”

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Mayor Diane Therrien Calls Special City Council Meeting Thursday; City to Discuss Housing and Homelessness

Mayor Diane Therrien has called a special meeting of City council to provide housing and homelessness updates for this Thursday.

Mayor Therrien announced she was not seeking re-election in November last year. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

At the special council meeting, council will confirm the proceedings of the special general committee meeting and hear from delegations.

The special general committee meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. and a special council meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Under council’s procedure by-law (21-104), council can hold a special meeting if it provides 48 hours notice of such meeting.

The meetings will be held electronically and can be viewed on the City’s website.

Members of the community wishing to speak at the council meeting must register before 11 a.m. on Thursday by using the registration form on the City of Peterborough website or by calling 705-742-7777 extension 1820.

Comments on the meeting agenda items can also be made on connectptbo.ca which is the City’s online community engagement hub, until 11 a.m. on Thursday. Comments provided as part of the “Comment on Current Agenda Items” section will be circulated to council members in advance of the meeting.

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Two New Dogs Admitted To Peterborough Police In Badge Ceremony

Two Police Service Dogs (PSD) Mag and Gryphon are the Peterborough Police Service’s newest members of their K9 Unit in a badge ceremony held on Wednesday.

(from left to right) Const. Wentworth, PSD Gryphon, Const. Cowie and PSD Mag. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.

Both dogs received their official badges marking their official first day of work.

Gryphon is a Dutch Shepherd. He completed his 15-week training course with Const. Wentworth run by the Niagara Regional Police Service and is now certified for general-purpose patrol.

The 18-month old dog is trained in human scent detection and location, suspect apprehension, article detection, handler protection, and narcotics detection. 

Mag is a two-year-old Belgian Malinois trained in firearms and ammunition detection. She completed basic training on Oct. 6 has been with the City of Peterborough alongside fellow PSD Isaac and her handler Const. Cowie.  She was donated to the police by Grassroots Kennels.

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Peterborough Police And Trent University Launch Public Body-Worn Camera Survey

The Peterborough Police Service is partnering with the Trent Research Centre to conduct a survey to better understand and obtain input from the community on police worn body cameras.

Body-worn cameras have entered the public discourse as a potential tool to increase police accountability. The exploration of this technology has become important as many police services across the province and the country are in various stages of research and implementation.

Both organizations are interested in the views and experiences of the citizens of the City of Peterborough, Village of Lakefield, and Township of Cavan-Monaghan.

The survey will be open from Tuesday until Feb. 28.

Responses will help both the police and Trent University understand and learn how the community feels about the use of body-worn cameras as well as form guidelines and policies and potentially a pilot project.

Participation is voluntary and anonymous; however, the Trent researcher is looking for age, gender, career and in which municipality participants reside or work.

To participate in the survey click here.

To acquire a paper copy of the survey contact sdueck@peterborough.ca.

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Peterborough Police Services Board Elects New Chair for 2022

Les Kariunas and Mary ten Doeschate have been elected chair and vice chair of the Peterborough Police Services after their first board meeting of 2022 announced on Thursday.

Kariunas takes over Bob Hall who served as Board’s chair last year.

“Thank you to 2021 Board Chair Bob Hall for his contributions. There is a great deal of work ahead around preparing your Police Services to meet future challenges and opportunities,” said Kariunas. “Over the next year, your Board and Police Services will continue to implement key initiatives within the 2020-2023 Strategic Plan including the Five (5) Year Staffing Plan that has been just recently published by the consulting firm KPMG.”

The following appointments were also made:

Labour Relations Committee:

• Bob Hall was appointed as the Chair

• Les Kariunas was appointed as a Member

Finance/Budget Committee:

• Mary ten Doeschate was appointed as the Chair

• Bob Hall was appointed as a Member

Policy/Planning Committee:

• Les Kariunas was appointed as the Chair

• Gary Baldwin was appointed as a Member

Facility Review Committee Members:

• Gary Baldwin

• Les Kariunas

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Two New Dogs Join the Peterborough Police Service's K9 Unit

The Peterborough Police Service’s team just got furrier and cuter with two new dogs joining the K9 unit announced Friday.

Gryphon. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.

Police Service Dog (PSD) Gryphon is an 18-month-old Dutch Shepherd. He just completed his 15-week training course with handler PC Wentworth run by the Niagara Regional Police Service. Gryphon is now certified for general-purpose patrol.

K9 Gryphon is trained in human scent detection and location, suspect apprehension, article detection, handler protection, and narcotics detection. 

Mag. Photo Courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.

Police Service Dog (PSD) Mag is a Belgian Malinois turning two in February. She is trained in firearms and ammunition detection.

After completing her basic training on Oct. 6, she has been operational in the City of Peterborough alongside PSD Isaac and her handler PC Cowie. She was generously donated to the Peterborough Police Service by Grassroots Kennels. 

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Peterborough Police Welcome Two New Constables

Constable Kristopher DiClemente and Constable Jeff VanBelleghem have been welcomed to Peterborough Police Services announced on Tuesday.

Constable Jeff VanBelleghem, Chief Scott Gilbert, Constable Kristopher DiClemente.

The pair recently completed basic training at Ontario Police College and have been officially sworn in, receiving their badges.

“Congratulation to our two new recruits, the Peterborough Police Service welcomes you and recognizes your commitment to serve and protect our communities,” said Scott Gilbert, Chief of Police.

These new officers were both special constables with the Peterborough Police Service.

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Hometown PTBO: Keith Calderwood Discusses His Charity Work, Law Enforcement Career and an Odd Beginning to Being a Cop

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with police constable Keith Calderwood about his life as a cop, his charity work including Pedal for Hope and Annual September Scramble and an odd take during the start of his law enforcement career.

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PTBOCanada Featured Post: Walker Geale-Barker Law Acquires the Practice Of Gordon H. Usher

PTBOCanada Featured Post: Walker Geale-Barker Law Acquires the Practice Of Gordon H. Usher

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Here Are The Key Requirements From New City of Peterborough Comprehensive Animal By-law

The Peterborough Humane Society (PHS) is contracted by the City of Peterborough to provide animal control services, education of responsible pet ownership and enforcement of animal by-laws.

The City of Peterborough passed a new Comprehensive Animal By-law on June 27th, 2016. The Comprehensive Animal By-law 16-079, includes a number of new responsibilities for animal owners within the City of Peterborough according a media release from the city. The following provides a quick summary of the key requirements and timelines...

CATS

-> All cats in the City must be registered with the PHS and are subject to an annual license fee with current proof of immunization required.  Licensing of cats will commence January 2017.
 
-> No more than 3 cats are permitted to be kept, except cats under 4 months of age.
 
-> Owners of more than one cat must have all cats spayed or neutered with the exception of registered cat breeders.
 
-> Owners of cats must not permit their cats to be off their own property, or on the property of anyone else without their consent. A leash or harness may be required to comply with this requirement.
 
-> Owners must remove their cat’s excrement from any land in the City.
 

DOGS

-> All dogs in the City must be registered with the PHS and are subject to an annual license fee with current proof of immunization required.
 
-> No more than 3 dogs are permitted to be kept, except dogs under 4 months of age, or registered kennels.
 
-> Owners of more than one dog must have all dogs spayed or neutered with the exception of registered dog breeders.
 
-> Owners of dogs must not permit their dogs to be off their own property, or on the property of anyone else without their consent. A leash or harness may be required to comply with this requirement. Dogs may be off-leash in a designated “leash-free zone”.
 
-> Owners must remove their dog’s excrement from any land in the City.
 

GRANDFATHERING 

-> Owners of more than 3 dogs must register the animals with the PHS to legally keep them on or before December 31, 2016. Registration through the PHS will commence immediately.
 
-> Owners of more than 3 cats must register the animals with the PHS to legally keep them. Registration through the PHS will commence January 2017.
 
-> Residents who own animals are encouraged to review the Animal By-law, available at the PHS or City Hall Lobby or online at peterborough.ca.
 
Citizens are encouraged to contact the Peterborough Humane Society by phone at 705.745.7676 or by email animalcontrol@ptbohs.com if they have any concerns for animal welfare, including enforcement of this bylaw.

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