CP Scoop - December 13th, 2023

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MUNICIPAL NEWS

Carleton Place Completes 2023 Multi-use Pathways Project

The Town of Carleton Place is pleased to announce that the construction of a new multi-use pathway system has been completed. The construction of the sections of pathways was made possible thanks to a contribution in the amount of $97,425 from the federal government under the Active Transportation Fund. This Fund supports the expansion and enhancement of infrastructure to make travel by active transportation easier, safer, more convenient, and more enjoyable.

Active transportation provides tangible benefits to communities, shortening commute times for families, creating good middle-class jobs, growing the economy, promoting healthier lifestyles, cutting air and noise pollution, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Carleton Place project consisted of the construction of approximately 500m of multi-use paths and 220m of sidewalk.

• A new 315 m long x 3.0 m wide multi-use path was built on Findlay Avenue between Franktown Road and the Ottawa Valley Recreation Trail.
• Two sections of sidewalk on McNeely Avenue, - one (1) 80 m section between the two bridges and one (1) 135 m section at the end of the southern bridge
• Construction of a 175 m x 2.4 m wide multi-use pathway between Patterson Crescent and the entrance to the Town's compost yard.

This project will improve community connectivity and accessibility towards one of the main commercial districts within Carleton Place, provide economic value through complete active transportation access to a main business district, and provide enhancements in non-automotive mobility to ensure a safe and secure environment including for vulnerable populations.

“The improvements to active transportation in Carleton Place offer the community safer, greener and more active commuting options. Investments like this promote active lifestyles for Canadians of all ages and range of mobilities,” says The Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

“Council and Staff recognize the importance of providing safe trail systems within the Town of Carleton Place,” says Toby Randell, Mayor of the Town of Carleton Place. “Healthy living and active lifestyles are important to our residents and these new pathways provide safe passage in relatively busy areas of town.”

Jim McCready Named 2023 Carleton Place Citizen of the Year!

Jim McCready has been named Carleton Place’s 2023 Citizen of the Year for his 39 years of volunteer service to the community. He has coached both hockey and soccer locally and is currently chair of the Town's Urban Forest River Corridor Committee. Jim petitioned to establish the Committee in 1998 and has been the chair ever since.

He developed, and annually delivers, the Town’s Bare Root Tree Planting Program, he has been instrumental in implementing strategies to minimize the impact of significant dangers to the urban canopy, he has worked with municipal staff providing education and training for proper techniques of tree maintenance, and has been at the forefront in identifying programs and developing submissions for funding initiatives relating to tree health and planting programs

Jim is an ideal candidate for Citizen of the Year because of his dedication to making Carleton Place a better place for everyone to live, play and work, his willingness to share his vast knowledge and experience in a friendly, down-to-earth manner, and his tireless work to achieve a vision for the community that will be recognized for many years.

Bob White, a former Citizen of the Year, said of Jim “he is the ultimate volunteer; he epitomizes true dedication to the community, leaving a legacy for decades to come."

Congratulations Jim! Carleton Place is lucky to have you!

Photo credit: Tara Gesner

FoodCycler - Reduce Food Waste This Holiday Season!

The Town of Carleton Place has partnered with Food Cycle Science to implement a waste diversion Pilot Program by offering a FoodCycler™ at a reduced rate to interested residents. The FoodCycler™ is an electric appliance that offers in-home, countertop processing of food waste.

This year, we are offering two (2) different model options: the FC-30 model (225 units) and the Eco 5 model (225 units). There is a chart on our website at www.carletonplace.ca/foodcycler which can help you decide which model would be better for your household. The cost to the resident for the FC-30 model is $150 plus HST and the cost for the Eco 5 model is $255.56 plus HST.

If you would like to purchase a FoodCycler as part of the Town’s Pilot Program, please visit the FoodCycler page on the Town’s website at www.carletonplace.ca/foodcycler and submit the application form. Once your registration has been received, the Program Administrator will contact you via email to arrange for payment and pickup of your unit. The units will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please note, after the 12-week pilot period, a mandatory survey, which includes a usage report, is required to be completed by participants.

 

PROVINCIAL NEWS

Ontario Helping More Students Kick-Start Careers in the Trades - Province investing record amount in key programs to prepare young people for in-demand jobs

The Ontario government is investing over $62.9 million in two (2) of the province’s foundational skilled trades programs to help more than 18,000 young people explore and prepare for life-long careers in a growing industry. The record increase in funding will help train the 100,000 skilled workers needed to build transit, hospitals and at least 1.5 million homes by 2031.

 

OTHER NEWS

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit - Caring For Your Mental Health Over the Holidays

The holiday season is almost here!  And with it can come all sorts of emotions, regardless of age.  We all want those picture-perfect moments to post on social media and many of us may watch the hallmark movies of love and family that are hard to miss this time of year. It’s easy to get caught up in the comparison trap and feel stressed about the holidays.

Those snapshot moments in time that are posted to one’s social media account or the Hollywood Christmas movies are not most people’s reality. So what can we do to take care of our mental health over this holiday season regardless of our age?

• Manage your expectations - Try to be honest about what’s realistic. This can include finances (who hasn’t felt their budget stretched this year?), the type of gifts you give, and what your time spent with family ought to look like. Sometimes creating a list of what you can control helps to manage your expectations. The holidays don’t have to be perfect to have fun.
• Set boundaries - Find a balance and be willing to say “no”. Just because you have a free evening doesn’t mean it has to be filled with family, friends, or events. Sometimes a little “you” time helps you better enjoy time spent with family or other holiday events. Consider taking a break from social media to focus on and enjoy your own holiday moments rather than comparing with what others are posting.
• Do what brings you joy - Sometimes the holidays can be challenging. When you’re stressed, it’s normal to lose that sense of joy. Try making a “joy list” – time spent with friends? Maybe you’re an introvert and it’s the exact opposite – time spent on your own, meditating! Give back to your community – this is a great time of year to volunteer someplace. Exercise and getting out into nature such as a family walk can give you an extra boost in the joy department. Many of our celebrations include foods that may not be available year-round. While some of these foods are more nutritionally dense, others bring us joy, so consider an “all food fits” approach this holiday season.
• Practise gratitude - Noticing the little things can make a huge difference. Maybe it’s an evening bonfire with friends or family, or hearing a favorite song. Write down what you notice at some point in the day as a reminder to yourself. It’s something you can always look back on at a later date.
• Ask for help - We all need help at various times in our lives. Mental health is no different. If you’re finding the holidays difficult, try talking to someone you trust, or with a trained counsellor. Depending on your age:
  • Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868 available 24/7
  • Anxiety Canada website with resources for all ages
  • BounceBackOntario is a free, guided self-help program for those 15 and up
  • Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health (CCSMH) offers resources for aging adults and their families

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit - Holiday Hours for Health Unit Programs and Services

The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit will be closed for the holidays on the following days:

• Friday, December 22nd, 2023
• Monday, December 25th, 2023
• Tuesday, December 26th, 2023
• Friday, December 29th, 2023
• Monday, January, 1st, 2024

Public Health Emergency - 613-345-5685, open 24/7

Surveillance Reporting:

• Weekly COVID-19 surveillance reports on December 19th and January 2nd

Other Programs and Clinic hours 

• There is an immunization clinic being held in Brockville on December 27th for those who already have an appointment
• Infant Feeding Clinic Schedule; please call 1 800 660 5853 to book an appointment:
• Friday, December 22nd – STAT – clinic cancelled
• Monday, December 25th – STAT – clinic cancelled
• Tuesday, December 26th – STAT –clinics cancelled
• Wednesday, December 27th – offices open – Kemptville clinic to remain open + Smiths Falls clinic to open up that day (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) ** note that Sexual Health is not running a clinic this day and the space is available.
• Thursday, December 28th – offices open – Brockville and Almonte clinics to remain open
• Friday, December 29th – STAT –clinic cancelled
• Monday, January 1st – STAT – Smiths Falls clinic cancelled
  • The remainder of the schedule is unaffected. Home visits may be offered for those families needing more immediate support
• Smart Works services are not available at Health Unit offices on stat holidays; they are available in Smiths Falls and Brockville on December 27th,and 28th; please contact us if you need service at another site
• Well water sample bottles for well-water testing will NOT be accepted December 21st to 26th & December 28th to January 1st
• Sexual health clinics will be closed over the holidays
• If your child 17 and under has an urgent dental need, please call 1-800-660-5853, extension 2315 to discuss emergency coverage through the Healthy Smiles Ontario program.

All regular programs and services will resume on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024.

For further information, visit: www.healthunit.org or call 1-800-660-5853.

Please Note: This email is not regularly monitored. Email: acharania@carletonplace.ca. Federal, Provincial, and Other news items are provided impartially, as a convenience and as a means of sharing information from higher levels of government and partner organizations.