Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Drawing on the praise listed in her granddaughter’s nomination form, Greater Napanee council voted Bonnie Winter as their Senior of the Year for 2019.
Mayor Marg Isbester made a special presentation to Winter during last week’s council meeting.
“My grandma Bonnie worked at the Napanee RBC for the majority of her life,” Isbester read from the nomination form. “She has been volunteering at the Napanee hospital for the past many, many years, even before retirement. She’s also a member of the Selby church and spends a lot of her spare time there volunteering and baking goods for the bazaars.”
Isbester noted the nomination form also mentioned Winter’s volunteerism with Seniors Outreach Services and Morningstar Mission. Despite her busy schedule she always makes time to cheer on her grandkids either in softball or hockey.
“Anything my grandma can do to lend a hand to help anyone, she does,” Isbester continued to read. “You can almost guarantee you will see her at any fundraising event in our community whether it be for the hospital or the church, at sporting events she always contributes in some way.”
-Greater Napanee council voted to throw its support behind a resolution from the Municipality of Brighton which advocated for Federal partners to work with the International Joint Commission to develop a new flood mitigation plan. Brighton’s council encouraged its neighbouring municipalities along Lake Ontario’s shore lines to show their support.
“I know a lot of people don’t think little old Greater Napanee or the Municipality of Brighton can make a dent in this,” said Isbester. “I firmly believe that if we stand by and work together we can make an impact.”
She said smaller communities can make their voices heard by bringing up the issue at conferences such as the Association of Municipalities of Ontario or Rural Ontario Municipal Association.
“We aren’t just nobody and we’re being harmed,” said Isbester. “Not just in the river. We’re surrounded by water and we’re getting the hell beat out of us.”
-Council voted to enlist the services of Rogers and Trainor to list the property known as Heritage Park subdivision for $1,100,000 and the Old Library building at 37 Dundas Street W for $229,000.
-Greater Napanee Emergency Services fire chief Rob Serson acknowledged some landmark years of service for a handful of firefighters. Earning recognition for five years was Jessica Boomhower and Gary Nichol. For 10 years was Dan Matthieu and 25 years was Dean Martin.
-Greater Napanee will look to find a way to budget a refillable water bottle station to the Rotary Park Splash Pad.
That was council’s response to a deputation from Karen Blancher that called for more refillable water bottle stations around town. She cited a desire to cut down on plastic water bottles as well as giving children a healthier option when playing in the park.
“This add on feature to the Splash Pad was considered,” said Peter Dafoe, infrastructure general manager with Greater Napanee. “Unfortunately we ran out of budget. We do have the information at our fingertips so it’s something that will be presented to council (in the next budget).”
-Isbester took some time to recognize the contributions of Mark Day, the deputy CAO and treasurer. After 14 years with the town, Day has accepted a position with Lennox and Addington County.