Nov 18: Council, Coming Events & Community Connection
Plus: The new Owen Sounder magazine is out and available free to download
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This is a big one today, so hang in there!
First up: Owen Sound Council meets tonight at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. Meetings are open to the public, broadcast on Rogers TV, and live stream on the City’s website.
Here’s a brief look at what’s on the agenda:
Deputations from the Georgian Bay Symphony and YMCA Owen Sound Grey Bruce.
The City Manager’s Monthly Update, which is delivered verbally and is still not being made accessible as part of the agenda package. You can see slide decks from previous months here.
Public Question Period
A staff report proposing a five-year agreement in which the City of Owen Sound will provide building services for the Township of Georgian Bluffs (building on a pilot project)
A staff report asking Council to approve that the draft operating budget with a proposed Municipal Rate increase between 3% and 6% be brought forward to the special budget meeting on December 9 for further deliberation.
A staff request for site plan approval, a Master Servicing Agreement with Calloway Real Estate Investment Trust Inc., and a 50% reduction in the required off-site security amount from the City’s standard practice for a development at 1555 18th Avenue East.
Five (5) consent agenda items, four (4) final business licenses, and an 81-page package of information for Council.
See the full agenda here for more details, and tune in to the meeting at 5:30 p.m.
Next: Keeping Our Community Connected & Informed
Last year, in response to the passing of Canada’s Online News Act (Bill C-18) in June 2023, Meta (the company that owns Facebook and Instagram) banned Canadian news on its platforms.
So where are Canadians getting their news?
Well, you’re right here, and we thank you for that!
I bet it would surprise you to know the majority of your peers are still getting their news from Facebook and Instagram, though… where most Canadian news isn’t even being published.
According to recent research by the Canadian Media Observatory, three-quarters of the Canadian public is unaware of the ban.
That’s right—only 22% of Canadians know that news is banned on Facebook and Instagram.
So far, The Owen Sound Current has been exempted from the ban as a small publisher. That could change anytime though, and even on the best day, Facebook’s fickle algorithms get to decide what its users see. So we aren’t investing our time in building a presence there.
We’re meeting Owen Sounders each morning right in your inbox, instead, where you have control over how and when to engage, and can come back to us anytime throughout the day.
Do you know someone who would benefit from a deeper connection with their community and being better informed about what’s happening in and around Owen Sound?
Consider recommending The Owen Sound Current to a friend, or gift a subscription this holiday season.
You can gift a subscription for a month or a year. Healthy communities are informed, engaged, and connected. Share The Owen Sound Current with a friend today!
Public Notices
Council has a Special Closed Session meeting today at 2:30 p.m. to consider a matter regarding the education and training of members respecting policing.
“The Future Owen Sound - Vision 2050 survey report is now available” - City of Owen Sound via Instagram
Bluewater District School Board meets at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 19, at their Education Centre in Chesley. See the full agenda here.
Avoid Late Fees: Alternate Payment Methods Available During Canada Post Strike - Township of Georgian Bluffs
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