LDHC to Hold Career Expo at MMCC

Wawa's Lady Dunn Health Centre is looking to showcase a variety of healthcare careers.

The local hospital's holding a career expo tomorrow, with about 18 exhibits featuring career possibilities in the healthcare field, including not just physician, nurse, lab and diagnostic imaging, but also support services, building services, health information, finance, and administration.

Though directed at high school students, the event is open to the general public.

The career expo runs from 10 am to 3 pm Thursday, December 12th at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre.

Wawa Civic Achievement Award Recipients Announced

Recipients have been announced for Wawa's revived Civic Achievement Award.

Mayor Melanie Pilon highlights this year's recipients.

Pilon reminds the purpose of the award.

Mayor Pilon thanks everyone who put forward nominations for the award, and commends all volunteers for "powering" the community - the mayor had also recognized Councillors Cathy Cannon and Mitch Hatfield for their efforts to bring back this award.

A "cake and coffee social" will be held to recognize the recipients on Friday, January 10th, at 2 pm in the downstairs conference room of the town hall.

Chapleau Council Opens Garbage Bin RFP, Approves Christmas Light Transit Use

Chapleau Town Council's moving forward on a few items, after this week's special meeting.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo explains a key item was bids to provide garbage bins to the Township, which would be provided to residents for easier garbage collection.

Bignucolo says there were three bids received - all over what was budgeted - with those to be evaluated and brought back to Council for a decision in next week's meeting.

Mayor Bignucolo notes Council did give the go-ahead to apply for grants for two Economic Development positions.

Bignucolo adds Council also approved a festive request.

Council is set to hold its final meeting of the year next Monday, December 16th.

Wawa Council Set to Hold Final 2024 Meetings

Wawa Municipal Council's holding its final pair of 2024 meetings tonight.

First up is a Committee of the Whole meeting, which will include an update on a draft municipal alcohol policy review, as well as a request for extension of the Tourist Information Centre operating season, the purchase of a long stick excavator, and the 2025 schedule of fees.

That'll be followed by a regular meeting of Council, including a resolution to again authorize the discharge of firearms for predator control - the Municipality's allowed a limited predator control hunt since the start of 2017 - Council will also consider adopting the 2025-2030 Wawa Age Friendly Plan, and approving the 2025 Council meeting schedule.

The meetings are set to be held back-to-back, starting at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers - they'll also be livestreamed through the Municipality's YouTube channel.

Wawa Turns Out to Support Fill A Sleigh Day

An annual effort to support children in the Wawa area this holiday season came to a close over the weekend.

Superior East OPP Constable Suzanne Lacasse explained Saturday's event.

Josee McCoy - manager of Wawa's Red Apple store - says "a great big thank you" to those who supported the recent toy drive and Fill A Sleigh Day, adding the "support does not go unnoticed".

Michipicoten Volunteer Firefighters Association President Steven Rothwell also commends the support.

Wawa's Christmas Hampers are set to go out next week.

Wawa's Festival of Lights to Begin

Wawa's getting into the festive season, launching an annual holiday initiative.

Community Services and Tourism Coordinator Melanie Coe explains the Festival of Lights starts tonight, intended to promote the festive spirit - and she reminds how to participate, whether you signed up or just want to vote.

Coe notes there are also some prizes.

Coe reminds holiday festivities ramp up this weekend with the "Bundle Up! Market" at the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre this Saturday, December 7th from 3 pm to 8 pm - Santa will be there from 3 pm to 6 pm, and a "sip-and-shop" with the bar open from 6 pm to 8 pm - while the annual Santa Claus Parade is next week, on Friday, December 13th.

Wawa School Hosting Franco-Ontarian Musician

Some Wawa students will see a special show tomorrow.

Ecole publique l'Escalade Principal Michel Bedard explains a special musician's visiting.

Bedard notes the concert serves two purposes: to promote French-Canadian music and the French language and to promote activities the community can enjoy together, so St. Augustine French Immersion students have also been invited, though the doors are open to anyone - simply bring a non-perishable food item to support the Wawa Community Food Bank.

The concert begins at 9:30 am Wednesday morning.

LDHC Foundation Encourages Donations for "Giving Tuesday"

With the holiday season here, residents of the Wawa area are being asked to help support the local hospital through a special one-day initiative.

Noting today is "Giving Tuesday" - a response to "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday" - Lady Dunn Health Centre Foundation Chair Susan Switzer says they've been part of the initiative for six years now, with a big goal for this year.

Switzer emphasizes donations support the local hospital.

Currently, the Foundation is raising funds to replace the ultra sound machine.

This comes amid - but is not part of - the Foundation's holiday season Wish Campaign, which was launched last month - to donate through either campaign, go to the hospital website or call the Foundation at 705-856-2335, extension 3147.

Wawa Council Presented Draft 2025 Capital Budget, Warned of Tough Financial Challenges

The Municipality of Wawa's seeking public input, as Council considers capital plans for the next year and beyond.

In a special meeting last night, staff presented Council with a draft 2025 Capital Budget - which outlined plans for next year but also some ideas through 2028 - intended to align with the municipality's strategic, 10-year financial, asset management, and other plans.

Before going into details, CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill emphasized to Council that there have been "difficult" challenges in preparing the budget, noting some major cost increases on the horizon, as the Municipality will need to start funding an allowance for "doubtful accounts" - the municipal auditor recommended $360,000, which would amount to a roughly 7.5 percent levy increase - while OPP costs are skyrocketing by 27% - nearly $214,000, which would amount to a roughly 4% levy increase - and despite a need to accommodate those and cost of living increases, this budget was prepared assuming a 4% levy increase plus the introduction of a new 2% capital levy - expected to raise about $100,000 a year - the funds from which would only be able to be used for capital, not operations.

As for the capital budget, staff outlined plans for approximately $3,118,500 in new capital projects - for a total of $7,029,704, with prior commitments - including plans for a Town Hall redesign study - and similar study for the Fire Hall - the relocation of Council Chambers, improvements to the Michipicoten Memorial Community Centre - including its roof - as well as annual projects like sidewalk rehabilitation and pavement preservation.

The presentation can be viewed on the Municipality of Wawa’s YouTube page or read on the Municipality’s website.

Public input's being accepted for three weeks, with plans for Council to review the proposed 2025 schedule of fees at its December 10th meeting, and the draft operating budget in early January - also followed by a public input period.

Chapleau Council Discusses Landfill, Airport, Firefighter Equipment

A number of topics were discussed in this week's public meeting of Chapleau Town Council.

Mayor Ryan Bignucolo highlights some of the items raised.

Bignucolo notes the landfill was also discussed.

Bignucolo says a rumour about the airport was also quashed.

Mayor Bignucolo says Council also approved new bunker gear for new firefighter recruits.

Council also approved some changes to fees and charges for Township services, which Mayor Bignucolo says is "mostly cost of living", but also includes a student rate for the bus and increases for "non-ratepayers" for services such as the landfill - water and sewer rates and property taxes are not included, instead stemming from the forthcoming budget.

Wawa Council Getting Preview of 2025 Capital Budget

Wawa Municipal Council's getting a look at capital plans for next year and beyond.

A special meeting's being held tonight, with the main item on the agenda being presentation of the draft capital budget, though that'll be followed by "in-camera" discussions about a legal issue - a land matter - which could be followed by the open meeting approval of a purchase agreement from CN and sale to Algoma Ferrous Industries Inc. with respect to the Michipicoten Rail Spur.

Open to the public, the meeting starts at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers, also broadcast on the Municipality of Wawa's YouTube channel.

Local Communities Getting Boost of OMPF Funding

Local communities will receive more from the provincial government next year.

The Ontario government's unveiled next year's Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund rates, noting that it will increase the amount spread Ontario's 390 municipalities by $50-million - for a total of $550-million - with that extra amount to be targeted at small, northern, and rural municipalities or those with a limited property tax base, with a similar increase in 2026, to $600-million total.

The Township of Chapleau will see a substantial boost next year, of $117,100, to $1,468,700 total, while the Municipality of Wawa will receive a total of $1,526,500 - an increase of $44,000 from the 2024 allocation, though still over $10,000 below the 2023 rate - while Dubreuilville's will rise $8200 - to $301,100 - and White River will get a $42,600 boost, for a total of $565,900.

The OMPF is the Ontario government's main general assistance grant to municipalities.

Wawa Planning to Move Council Chambers For Accessibility

Wawa Municipal Council could be moving.

In their Committee of the Whole meeting last night, Council was apprised of a request to move Council Chambers from the current location in the top level of the Town Hall building downstairs, into the former OPP space, which is currently used as a meeting area and host site for various events - a move intended to make Council Chambers more accessible for both councillors and the broader public.

While CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill noted a number of potential pitfalls or concerns - including changes to furniture, layout, and equipment that may be needed for the new space, compared to the current chambers - it was Councillor Mitch Hatfield who questioned the potential impact on court proceedings, which are currently held in Council Chambers - O'Neill noted hopes the court would also move into the more accessible location, but there are certain needs that the court has which might not be met, so she'll discuss that with the court.

All councillors spoke in favour of the idea, with Mayor Melanie Pilon acknowledging the potential loss of decorum as the current chambers are "rooted in history", but emphasizing the need for the chambers to be more accessible.

As Council showed approval for the idea, the recommendation from O'Neill was that staff take efforts so that the move can happen by March.

Wawa Council No Longer Considering Curling Season Extension

Wawa's curling season won't be extended after all.

While Wawa Municipal Council last month heard a request from the Wawa Men's Curling Club to extend the curling ice season so that the club's 75th annual bonspiel can be held the first weekend of April, Municipal CAO/Clerk Maury O'Neill noted in last night's Committee of the Whole meeting that the final weekend of March had been freed up, so the event would be held then, no longer requiring the extension.

O'Neill did note staff are still investigating requests from Ecole Saint-Joseph and the Wawa Minor Hockey executive that the arena ice season be extended to start September 1st and end April 15th, rather than starting the final Monday of September and ending the final Monday of March.

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