February 2018 Archive

Consolidated services contact sheet coming soon

Bancroft residents should keep their eye out for an local services contact pamphlet in their tax bills, says chair of the Bancroft Area Support Team and supervisor for Bancroft’s community and human services office Andra Kauffeldt.

Public board testing faster internet for students

Hastings Prince Edward District School Board is improving internet speeds for its students... AND LATER: HPEDSB and Hastings Prince Edward Public Health have partnered to bring Naloxone kits to area secondary schools.

New fire training comes to Wollaston

Wollaston Township is off and running with a brand new training module for its fire department volunteers. They’re also sharing their efforts with Limerick and Faraday Townships.

Act costs business owners in more ways than wages

Those watching the economy might think the dust will settle now that a month has passed since Ontario’s new workplace legislation has come into effect, but a local business consultant isn’t holding her breath. She says the minimum wage hike to $14 an hour, and later $15 an hour, shouldn’t be the only thing people are focusing on.

HPEPH prepares for marijuana

As the promise of legalized marijuana in Canada transitions from a pipe dream to a reality, public health units across the province are taking steps to ensure that it is done responsibly. With legalization expected to take effect on July 1, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health program manager, Roberto Almeida has been busy keeping up with the numerous evolving regulations. As it stands, he said public health units across the province will be enforcing the medical marijuana restrictions, while the police enforce recreational regulations. To prepare communities in the area, Almeida said public health will be meeting with municipalities to see whether they intend to strengthen their smoke-free bylaws to include medical marijuana.

Missing millions in HH

This message is not getting through to your council. It’s about tax arrears and the inability of this council and staff to reduce them to within a very lax Ontario government standard; not a gold standard or an average standard compared to other municipalities.

Dealing with multiplication and maximum wage

For the last few months it has grown more difficult to find a social gathering space in North Hastings, and throughout the province, where there is not a heated discussion underway about Ontario’s new minimum wage. Recently, I found myself drawn into one of these conversations, while enjoying a cup of Joe at The Partista Espresso Bar in Bancroft. I overheard a few folks at the table beside me talking about how raising the minimum pay rate from $11.60 an hour to $14 would hurt local businesses. 

Let’s reduce winter collisions

When driving past the OPP station in Bancroft I often try to peek into the parking lot to see if there’s anyone hanging out with a speed gun — we’re all human. Recently, when applying my not-so-eagle-eyes I noticed a “Reduce speed in winter conditions” sign instead.

Bancroft delegation meets with minister at ROMA

The Town of Bancroft sent a delegation to participate in the 2018 Rural Ontario Municipalities Associations conference in Toronto.

Children’s services explores fee increases

North Hastings Children’s Services’ executive director says the organization has to increase its revenue by $100,000 in two years and there’s no way to do so without increasing its child care rates.

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