Feb 11- Local News + First Candidates Meeting
Plus: A reader and former Mayor shares a letter sent to Council questioning their use of reserve funds for 2050 strategic planning and asking them to reconsider
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The first BGOS candidates event in this election cycle drew some 75-100 people to Durham last night to hear those applying for the job of MPP talk about healthcare. Brenda Scott of the Grey Bruce Health Coalition served as hosted and moderator. The stage was open only to those candidates with party status.
The chair behind Ontario PC candidate Paul Vickers’ name card sat noticeably empty throughout the event.
In case you missed it: We launched our BGOS Votes: 2025 Provincial Election Guide yesterday. Check that out and share it with your social networks and email contacts when you get a chance (yes, you CAN share content from The Owen Sound Current on Facebook!).
Yesterday, we also asked readers whether you plan to vote in the upcoming election. There’s still time to jump in here and weigh in.
Owen Sound Council Meeting
Last night was Council’s final meeting before the budget for this year will be passed as a bylaw. They received the final budget presentation and the 74-page draft budget package from staff. One small adjustment was made to grant the Georgian Bay Folk Society’s request for $10,000 in grant funding and relief from about $2,400 in rental fees. See more below.
In the meantime, a reader and former Mayor of Owen Sound submitted a letter to Council yesterday in the hopes they might reconsider another one of those budget allocations before locking in last night.
Letter: City of Owen Sound Needs Smart Use of Reserves & a Plan for Right Now
Ruth Lovell Stanners shares a letter she submitted to the Mayor and Council questioning their decision to use $100,000 from reserves for 'Vision 2050' recommendations when we have many other pressing issues that need attention and funding right now.
Public Notices
Owen Sound’s Service Review Implementation Ad Hoc Committee meets on Wednesday, February 12, at 9am in Council Chambers. The agenda is available here.
The City’s Strategic Planning Ad Hoc Committee also meets Wednesday in Council Chambers, at 5:30pm. That agenda is available here.
Local News
Keep reading for local events and our original reporting + curated local news updates. Today, you’ll find reporting on the City’s budget approval, a Tara woman’s $100,000 windfall, tips for filing income taxes, an update on the 211 program, and plenty of local events happening in and around Owen Sound this week.
If you can’t see the info below, you’re missing out. (Nope, it doesn’t all appear on the website.) Upgrade your subscription for full access.
~ Miranda Miller, Editor
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