Otonabee Conservation Board of Directors Announced New CAO

The Otonabee Conservation (ORCA) Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Janette Loveys Smith as the new Chief Administrative Officer / Secretary-Treasurer, effective July 5.

Photo courtesy of Otonabee Conservation.

The selection committee included ORCA Chair Ryan Huntley (Township of Cavan Monaghan), Vice Chair Michael Metcalf (Municipality of Trent Hills), and Directors, Andy Mitchell (Selwyn Township), and Kim Zippel (City of Peterborough).

“Janette impressed the selection committee throughout the interview process citing many examples of her ability to address difficult and often politically complex situations,” said Huntley, “She will be a great asset to ORCA, possessing a lot of energy and creativity along with the skills and experience to guide the Authority through any challenges that lay ahead.”

Loveys Smith comes to ORCA with plethora of senior administrative experience in the municipal sector ranging from environmental protection and fostering Indigenous relationships, to strategic and parks master planning. Loveys Smith has held upper managerial positions as the CAO for the Sunshine Coast Regional District in British Columbia, and most recently, as the City Manager for Brockville, Ontario.  

“I am excited to be joining Otonabee Conservation and continuing the important work the Board of Directors and staff have laid out,” Loveys Smith, said. “It is an honor to be a part of the ORCA team and I would like to thank the Board of Directors for this incredible leadership opportunity in work that is essential and close to my heart. I look forward to meeting all the partners and working together to ensure a successful and viable future for all at ORCA.”

After relocating to the area with her family, Loveys Smith looks forward to enjoying all that the Peterborough Region has to offer including her favourite outdoor pursuits: kayaking, hiking, and birdwatching.

Dan Marinigh, Otonabee Conservation’s outgoing CAO, announced his retirement in March 2022; Marinigh will be retiring at the end of July and will be working with Loveys Smith to ensure a seamless transition for the organization.

Loveys Smith has a Bachelor of Arts from University of Waterloo and holds a Local Government Public Administration Certificate from Capilano University. She also holds certificates in Leadership and Executive Development from University of Virginia and Royal Roads University.

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City Service Changes On Canada Day

Canada Day is on Friday and The City of Peterborough has different festivities planned in and around the city to celebrate, the stat holiday also brings changes to regular city services.

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

The Peterborough Canada Day Parade, presented by Cogeco, returns on Friday. The parade will depart from the intersection of George Street North and McDonnel Street at noon, proceeding south down George Street to Morrow Park.

Temporary road closures for the event will occur along the route on Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. as follows:

• Dublin Street – from the east side of Aylmer Street to the west side of Water Street

• London Street – from the east side of Aylmer Street to the west side of Water Street

• McDonnel Street – from the east side of Aylmer Street to the west side of Water Street

• Murray Street – from the east side of Aylmer Street to the west side of Water Street

• George Street – from the south side of Parkhill Road West to the north side of Brock Street

Ribbon cutting: UN Peacekeepers Monument

The City of Peterborough and the UN Peacekeepers Association will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday at 9 a.m. for the UN Peacekeepers Monument in the City’s new Urban Park at Charlotte and Aylmer streets. 

The Frank Poley (Peterborough) Chapter, Canadian Association of Veterans in UN Peacekeeping is holding a celebration of this occasion. 

Charlotte Street east of Aylmer Street to George Street will be temporarily closed from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the event.

City Services

Many City services will offer modified service or holiday hours on Canada Day, Friday.

City Hall

City Hall offices, including Building Services, the Clerk’s Office and the Tax Office, will be closed. Online services are available at www.peterborough.ca.

Arenas Division

Community arenas, the Peterborough Memorial Centre and the arenas division office will be closed Friday.

The Grant Thornton Box Office is available online at https://tickets.memorialcentre.ca/Online/ to purchase event tickets.

Art Gallery of Peterborough

The Art Gallery of Peterborough will be closed on Friday.

To stay up-to-date with the Gallery’s exhibits, programs and summer camps, please visit www.agp.on.ca, or follow their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Garbage, recycling and green waste

Garbage, recycling and green waste will not be collected on Friday. Collections for this date will move to Monday.

Residents who normally have Friday collection must have their garbage, recycling and green waste set out to the curb by 7 a.m. on July 4. All other collections that week will remain unchanged.

The Household Hazardous Waste Depot and the Peterborough County and City Waste Management Facility (landfill) will be closed on Friday.

The Pido Road Recycling Depot remains open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For more details, please call the City of Peterborough Waste Management Division at 705-742-7777 ext.1657.

Peterborough Museum and Archives

The Peterborough Museum and Archives and gift shop are open from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday.

Information on exhibit and events is online at www.peterborough.ca/museum.

Peterborough Public Library

Peterborough Public Library will be closed on Friday.

Visit the Library’s website www.ptbolibrary.ca for digital downloads and information on programs and events.

Transit

Peterborough Transit will operate on a Sunday/holiday service schedule on Friday. Please visit the website www.peterborough.ca/transit or call 705-745-0525 for detailed schedules.

Sport and Wellness Centre

The Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre will be open form 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on  Friday.

Summer camps will operate July 4 through to September 3. Registration is available online at www.peterborough.ca/summercamps or by calling 705-742-0050.

Marina

The Peterborough Marina office will be open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday. To contact the Marina, please phone 705-745-8787 or email marina@peterborough.ca.

City beaches

Lifeguards will be on duty at the two City-operated beaches at Beavermead Park and Rogers Cove on Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Provincial Offences office

The Provincial Offences office at 99 Simcoe St. will be closed on Friday. Fine payments can be made online at www.peterborough.ca/POA.

Social Services office

The Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St. will be closed. Emergency shelter services remain open by phone at 705-926-0096 after hours, during weekends and on holidays.

Child care centres

City-operated child care centres will be closed on Friday.

Public Works

Public Works can be reached at 705-745-1386. This line is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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City Council Approves Over $20,000 Of Grants To Seven Peterborough Organizations

Peterborough City Council approved allocating $20,458 to various local charitable and not-for-profit organizations as recommended by the Community Investment Grant Advisory Committee, on Monday.

Capable Con is one of seven organizations receiving funding. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

This year the city received twelve applications for their Investment Grant funding and all twelve applications received funding. Due to the low number of applications received and the Committee’s evaluation of those applications, a surplus of funds remained.

The Committee discussed how best to approach this unique occurrence and recommended a motion to Council addressing the surplus.

That the remaining surplus Community Grant funds will be split between seven different organizations.

• $5,000, Community Care Peterborough, Meals on Wheels program

• $1,958, Peterborough Historical Society-Hutchison House Museum, repairs to stairs and install a bike rack

• $3,500, Council for Person's with Disabilities, support for Capable Con 2022

• $3,000, Market Hall Performing Arts Centre, upgrade ticketing platform

• $3,000, Peterborough Folk Festival, assistance to cover costs of paying performers

• $2,000, Peterborough Drug Strategy, hire an external consultant to support strategic planning and post COVID-19 engagement

• $2,000, Peterborough Bicycle Advisory Committee, support the development of education, communication, and engagement activities

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Digital Main Street Program By Chamber Of Commerce Is Offering To Help Small Businesses Digitally Transform

Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce is re-launching the Digital Main Street program for all Peterborough area businesses, a free program meant to help businesses digitally transform.

Stock image.

The Chamber has received a grant from the Digital Main Street program for a two-year Digital Service Squad program, which provides small business owners with tools, personalized technical support and access to funding.

The Digital Main Street program is being run locally by the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with acorn30 to boost the local economy and empower small businesses across the region to navigate new tools to remain competitive.

“It’s a privilege to once again be able to offer these resources to the local business community,” says Stuart Harrison, President and CEO of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce. “Investing in digital isn’t a one-time thing – it’s about continuing to invest in streamlining your processes, reaching new markets, and creating a better customer experience. Having this program available for two years will help us work with businesses more long-term for a stronger future.”

Digital Service Squads (DSS) are the cornerstone of Digital Main Street (DMS), with trained specialists who meet with brick-and-mortar small businesses, at no cost, to help them complete an online assessment and to introduce them to online training modules designed to build their digital knowledge and skills.

This one-on-one DSS assistance includes support for basic website setup, Google Business Profiles, 360⁰ photos, social media presence, and much more. Squad members are also trained to help qualified small businesses with the development of their Digital Transformation Plan and then with the application process for a $2,500 Digital Transformation Grant.

To qualify for the Digital Transformation Grant, businesses owners must:

• Have a permanent brick-and-mortar location in Ontario

• Employ 1-50 employees

• Pay commercial property tax either directly or through commercial rent

• Be a registered business in Ontario and/or incorporated

Applications for the Digital Transformation Grant (DTG) opened on June 21 with eligible brick-and-mortar small businesses able to apply for a $2,500 grant to adopt digital tools and techniques. The current intake period for application will remain open until October 31 (or until funds have been exhausted).

For more information about how to apply to the DTG or to access digital tools and training to improve your business, visit https://digitalmainstreet.ca/ to register on Digital Main Street and begin the journey.

“Small businesses are innovative and entrepreneurial, but often lack the resources to respond to change, be resilient, yet flexible,” said Kay Matthews, Executive Director, OBIAA. “OBIAA is delighted to work once again alongside the Digital Main Street team and is thrilled to support Peterborough’s squad. The Digital Main Street program’s resources, grants, training, and Digital Service Squad assistance provide the means for more small businesses in communities across Peterborough to adopt innovative ways, create new revenue streams, expand their markets, and face the future with optimism and confidence.”

To book a free consultation with a Digital Service Squad Team Member, contact Jacie Condon Houghton at 705-201-1663 or Jacie@acorn30.com.

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Peterborough Police Service Remind Residents On What to Do In Case of Bear Sighting

After a black bear was reported wandering through the west end of Peterborough on Monday, Peterborough Police Service is reminding residents what they can do if they spot a bear in their area.

A black bear digs for grubs at the edge of the water. Photo courtesy of Dave Ellis.

Call 9-1-1 if it is an emergency situation, otherwise, call the toll-free Be Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week from Apr. 1 to Nov. 30.

The police consider emergency situations when the bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety and exhibits aggressive behaviour such as:

• entering a school yard when school is in session

• stalks people and lingers at the site

• enters or tries to enter a residence

• wanders into a public gathering

• kills livestock/pets and lingers at the site

Non-emergency encounters include:

• roams around or checks garbage cans

• breaks into a shed where garbage or food is stored

• is in a tree

• pulls down a bird feeder or knocks over a barbecue

• moves through a backyard or field but does not linger

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Multi-use Pathway To Be Constructed At Waverly Heights Municipal Park

Trail construction will start in the coming months at Waverly Heights Municipal Park, at 1189 Scollard Drive, along the Trent-Severn Waterway.

Screenshot.

An accessible multi-use pathway will be constructed through this park to connect pedestrians and cyclists with the existing Thompson’s Bay Dam Trail.  This pathway will also serve as an inspection and maintenance access route for the dam.

Construction will involve shallow excavation and grading, supply and placement of base granulars and surface stone dust treatment. Turf restoration will follow the path construction.

The project will begin with archaeological investigations in the park this summer prior to construction which is being targeted for the fall.

Access to most areas of the park including the playground equipment and basketball court are expected to remain open during construction. No impacts to roadway traffic or navigation on the canal are anticipated. Further updates will be provided closer to construction.

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Third Annual Lakers Alumni Golf Tournament To Support Peterborough Grassroots Lacrosse Programs

Roughly 70 golfers teed off at the Keystone Links Golf & Country Club for the third annual Peterborough Lakers Alumni golf tournament held on Friday.

Johnny “Shooter” Davis as one of four Lakers alumni that participated in the ceremonial tee-off. Photo by Luke Best.

Professional lacrosse players, former Peterborough Lakers and golfing fans were invited to participate in the open tournament. Past and present players including members of the undefeated 1974 Peterborough PCO lacrosse team were in attednance.

All proceeds go towards the Peterborough Lakers Alumni that support the sustainability and grassroots lacrosse programs in the Peterborough area.

“We feel that if we don't focus on that area, then we're just going to dissolve after so many years so focusing on that, trying to make sure we have new kids coming into the game and trying to make it non-cost prohibitive for families,” said Jamie Batley, Alumni president.

Photo by Luke Best

Doug Evans

Photo by Luke Best

Paul Evans

Photo by Luke Best

Brian Evans

Photo by Luke Best

Bob Wassen

Photo by Luke Best

Johnny "Shooter" Davis

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Photo by Luke Best

Lakers alumni Doug Evans, Paul Evans, Brian Evans, Bob Wasson and Johnny “Shooter” Davis all took ceremonial tee shots from the first hole prior to the tournament.

The tournament had prizes for lowest score, closest-to-pin shots and longest drives for both the male and female categories.

@ptbo_canada The third annual Lakers Alumni golf tourney! #ptbo #ptbocanada #peterborough #golf #charity #lacrosse #lakers #ptbolakers #tournament ♬ Blooper Open (From "Mario Golf, Toadstool Tour") - Arcade Player

“We know as being sports people, if you put your kids in sports, they learn teamwork, they learn communication, they learn how to work in a group. Lacrosse is a great sport to learn all those values,” said Batley.

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Peterborough Police Service Release Top 10 Collision Intersections of 2021

With the release of the Peterborough Police Service’s (PPS) annual report of 2021, the top 10 intersections with the most collisions have been listed on Monday.

The intersection of Water Street and Parkhill Road is listed as Peterborough’s seventh highest for collisions. Four intersections on Parkhill Road are within the top 10. Photo by Luke Best.

The following is the top 10 list of collision intersections in Peterborough from most frequent to least:

1. Clonsilla Avenue & The Parkway

2. Monaghan Road & Parkhill Road West

3. Lansdowne Street & The Parkway

4. Parkhill Road West & Reid Street

5. Lansdowne Street & Monaghan Road

6. George Street North & Parkhill Road West

7. Parkhill Road West & Water Street

8. Armour Road & Parkhill Road East

9. Ashburnham Drive & Lansdowne Street East

10. Rubidge Street & Sherbrooke Street

There was a four per cent increase in collisions investigated from 1,800 in 2020 to 1,872 for 2021. There were 61 fewer collisions of damage over $2,000 with 674. Additionally, there were 30 less collisions in damage under $2,000 with 783 compared to 2020.

Pedestrian and cyclist injuries saw an increase from 54 in 2020 (40 pedestrians and 14 cyclists) to 68 last year.

Last year saw a two per cent overall increase in the amount of Highway Traffic Act (HTA) Provincial Offence Notices (PONS) issued according to PPS. This number has fluctuated over the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

PPS is focusing on continuing to implement e-ticketing, training more officers in reconstruction and as motorcycle operators.

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CMHA HKPR Receives $6,700 From 100 Women Of Northumberland For Trans Peer Outreach Program

The Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) has been selected as the recipient of the latest grant of $6,700 from the 100 Women of Northumberland.

Photo courtesy of CMHA HKPR.

The donation will go towards CMHA HKPR’s Trans Peer Outreach program.

“We are so grateful for the support of the 100 Women of Northumberland. This grant will go directly towards enhancing the Trans Peer Outreach Family Supports by allowing us to offer more group opportunities and 1:1 supports,” said Carl Cruise-Baxter, Trans Peer Outreach Worker with CMHA HKPR. “This will allow us to help more family, friends, caregivers, and loved ones of individuals who are trans, non-binary, or gender questioning,”

The 100 Women of Northumberland consists of a group of local women who meet four times per year and select a local registered charity or non-profit to receive a collective grant in the amount of the membership contributions at the time of the meeting. The idea is that by joining funds, the group can make more of an impact, creating real change within the community.

CMHA HKPR’s Trans Peer Outreach program offers supports and services for transgender and gender diverse people and their families, to assist them to improve the quality of their lives through the provision of community-based, client centered care that supports positive interdependence. Services are delivered by people with lived experience as a transgender or gender-diverse person, and who also may have experience living with a mental health concern.

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