Municipal
Council recommends tearing down Ops Arena in 7-1 vote
By a 7-1 margin, Kawartha Lakes Council has recommended the demolition of Ops Community Centre to be included as a $300,000 decision unit for the 2023 budget.
Stories by Kirk Winter
Federal
Schmale supporting Poilievre as Conservatives regroup to find new leader
Local MP Jamie Schmale has already picked his horse in the federal leadership race – the perceived frontrunner, Pierre Poilievre.
Municipal
Misunderstanding may have led city staff to reject outdoor rink in Lindsay
There appears to be a serious disconnect between what local citizen Allen Irvine hoped Kawartha Lakes would look into last February and what the city actually did, all of which will be discussed at the March 8 council meeting.
Municipal
Ashmore 'not giving up' on Omemee splashpad as city staff report throws cold water on idea
Ward 6 councillor Ron Ashmore is “very disappointed” with a report prepared by Craig Shanks, director of community services, on the viability of the Omemee splash pad.
Municipal
Report from city recommends demolishing Ops Community Centre
In a report to be presented to council on March 8, Craig Shanks, director of community services, asks that the city include in 2023 capital budget deliberations $300,000 to be used for the demolition of Ops Community Centre.
Municipal
Future of Lindsay service club signs in question
The future of two longtime Lindsay sign landmarks is to be debated at a Kawartha Lakes committee of the whole meeting next Tuesday March 8.
Business
Future union strength will depend on new approaches
From the end of the Second World War until the turn of the new century, the towns and villages that would soon make up Kawartha Lakes were home to thousands of unionized workers.
Business
City’s first ever business count shows employer openness for working from home
Council is about to learn more than they ever knew before about small business in the city – including that nearly three quarters of local businesses will continue to let employees work from home after the pandemic is over.
Municipal
Council meeting covers firearms, code of conduct, and city land sale strategy
Kawartha Lakes council used their first regular meeting of 2022 to recognize people in the community for jobs well done and move forward on the city code of conduct, the city land sale strategy and a bylaw that will regulate the discharge of firearms within the city.
Education
Director of education notes low COVID numbers in school a good sign
Director of education for the Trillium Lakelands District School Board, Wes Hahn, says schools are not seeing the spikes in COVID cases “we thought we would see.”
Municipal
Dunn confirms he won't be running in Ward Five, opening door to run for mayor
Long time Ward Five councillor Pat Dunn confirmed via email with the Advocate that he will not be running for council in his ward in October, opening the door to a run for mayor.
Municipal
Police hope working to mitigate poverty will eventually result in less local crime
Kawartha Lakes Police Services chief Mark Mitchell presented to council a detailed outline of the Community Safety and Well Being plan that will likely be adopted by council officially on Jan. 25.
Education
Return to school plan outlined by TLDSB
Trillium Lakelands District School Board trustees were brought up to speed by senior staff on the steps being taken to hopefully allow for a safe return to school on Jan. 17.
Education
Teacher's union not consulted on latest government decision for online learning
As Kawartha Lakes students begin at least two weeks of virtual instruction today, the union representative for high school teachers said he is frustrated about being shut out of key decisions.
Education
School board ready for virtual learning if needed
Trillium Lakelands District School Board's director of education, Wes Hahn, spent considerable time updating trustees on COVID in the community and schools and the potential impact that rising numbers of illness might have on the board’s back to school plans in January.
Education
Local high schools to return to semesters, lockers, common lunch hours
After almost two years of virtual learning, octomesters and quadmesters, Trillium Lakelands high schools will be returning to semesters on Feb. 7.
Health
City commits $1 million to hospital
Kawartha Lakes council voted unanimously to donate $1 million to the Ross Memorial Foundation capital fundraising campaign for 2021.
Municipal
City residents will see a 4.5 percent increase in taxes for 2022
Kawartha Lakes council passed their 2022 operating budget at a special meeting of council on Dec. 7, keeping the increase in the tax levy to 3 per cent.
Municipal
Council approves water and wastewater budgets
Two more important pieces of the overall Kawartha Lakes 2022 budget were approved by council at their recent meeting – a $34 million water and wastewater budget and the $1.8 million special project budget.
Municipal
City proposes $221 million operating budget
Director of corporate services Jennifer Stover put before council earlier this week a detailed plan for the city’s 2022 operating budget.
Municipal
City approves $40 million capital budget
After a line-by-line review of the 2022 Kawartha Lakes capital budget, council approved about $40 million in spending.
Municipal
Omemee downtown, Coboconk Wellness Centre, get budget support from council
Kawartha Lakes council has thrown their support behind Omemee’s revitalization and the Wellness Centre in Coboconk.
Municipal
Fenelon Falls landfill to close for the winter
In a move made to save money and extend the life of the Fenelon Falls landfill site, the city announced via press release that the site will be closing Jan 1 and will remain closed until May 1.
Education
School board sending COVID testing kits home for the holidays
The Trillium Lakelands District School Board will be sending COVID-19 rapid screening kits home with all their elementary students the week of Dec. 6 as one of the many measures both the board and the province are implementing to ensure a safe return to school after the Christmas holidays.