AHED

Minutes of meeting

Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 10:00 a.m.

Township of Chisholm Municipal Office

Present : Chair Christina Golding, (Councillor – Powassan); Barbara Groves (Mayor - Chisholm); Kay Tod; (Member-at-large); Gilbert Lane (Councillor - Ryerson); Eleanor Sled-Kurrle (R/A/BF. Special Events Comm.); Brenda Scott (WORC), Denise Sherritt (NDO MNDM); Andrew Busch (EDC Powassan). Cameron Merry, (East Ferris Recreation Co-ordinator); David Thompson (Mattawa/Bonfield ED Consultant; Carol Adamthwaite (Kearney Watershed Environment Foundation); Donna Johnston (for Jeff Johnston, Councillor – Kearney )

Regrets : Catharine Mayne (CED Officer, NECO) Kelly Earley (EDC Whitestone); Jackie Leung (AH B&B); Denise Eckert (Community Updates); Jeff Buell (Bluesky.net); Cliff Reeds (Mayor - Kearney ); Jeff Johnston (Councillor – Kearney );

1. Meeting called to order by Chair Tina Golding  @ 1010 a.m.

• Dates and places for the future AHED meetings are as follows:
• June 15/06 – changed from Sprucedale to Burk’s Falls
• July 20/06 – Magnetawan Friendship Centre
• August 17/06 – Kearney
• September 21/06 – Whitestone
• The Chair welcomed everyone including several new partners.  Barb Groves explained that she had invited several area municipalities to attend and East Ferris and Mattawa/Bonfield responded.  Mayor Vic Fideli of North Bay is interested in attending in the future.
• It was reiterated that we are all partners in a non-political committee with an interest in economic development of the area
• David Thompson said that it was his observation that any group such as this could “break down barriers”
• Introductions were made all around the table.

2. No declarations of pecuniary interest

3.  Deputations :  None.

4. Adoption of Minutes

• Moved by Sled-Kurrle and seconded by Groves that the minutes of the meeting held April 20, 2006 be accepted.Motion carried 

5.1  Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. 

• Denise Sherritt gave a Power Point presentation on the First Impressions Community Exchange Process.  This is a process where communities learn about their strengths and challenges through the eyes of “first-time” visitors.
• Visiting teams from two partnering communities 2-5 hours apart would do assessments.  This would include impressions of amenities and services, housing supply and quality, tourism facilities and services, infrastructure and transportation, health and social services.
• This information would assist communities in developing such projects as downtown revitalization, tourism planning, waterfront redevelopment and heritage development
• Each team member would assess the exchange community from various perspectives, divide up for lunch, collect written materials etc, take discreet photos, keep a low profile, look at infrastructure, hospitality, etc., schools, churches and then prepare a report for the co-ordinator
• Any municipality, village/town wishing to participate should contact Denise Sherritt, Northern Development Officer, MNDM.
• The team members are volunteers who are keenly interested in the community.  The municipality should sponsor the cost of travel, food and accommodation (if any).

5.2  FedNor. 

• Not present at this meeting

5.3 NECO 

• Catharine Mayne sent regrets – prior commitment out of town.

5.4 Bluesky.net  

• Jeff Buell sent regrets – prior commitment out of town.

5.5 Women’s Own Resource Centre.  Brenda Scott presented her report. 

• BR&E.  Media page proceeding and will be published every second month in the Almaguin Forester.  The reason for the change to the Forester was for financial reasons. Brenda asked for pictures of ongoing projects along with any “red flag” issues to go on this page.
• Leanne Young (Powassan) has been hired as office assistant
• DSSAB services have been slashed primarily due to the high cost of transportation.
• Met with ANTA. Excellent new tourism guide is out and being distributed.
• Still no news re partnership project with Canadore College.
• Health Fair idea was well received by the WORC group of professional businesswomen.  There are 11 alternative practitioners interested in participating but “the right timing” is vital for success. Will continue dialogue.
• David Thompson spoke briefly regarding the role of women in the community and the contributions they have made.

5.6   Burks Falls/Armour/Ryerson Special Events Committee 

• Eleanor Sled-Kurrle reported that the sign on Highway #11 has been re-erected on a permanent site at the entrance to Burk’s Falls.
• The annual Greg Boyes Day will be a fundraiser and held on July 23rd with a BBQ Pig Roast and other entertainment.  Village Pub and Eatery is strong supporter.
• A statue created by local sculptor/artist Peter Camani (creator of the famous Screaming Faces) will be located at a local garden centre.
• Committee working on a project to have a mural painted on the Bowling Alley wall but needs approval.
• Summer calendar is in progress and has been very popular in the past.
• Snowmobile Races have been officially announced for Burk’s Falls for next winter.

5.7 Almaguin Highlands Business After Hours (AHBAH)

• Report for Julie McDermott given by Brenda Scott
• There are now 14 enthusiastic members who meet at the Ten Gables golf Club.  These are true networking sessions.
• Planning a Golf Meet and Greet Day

5.8 Powassan Observatory Committee

• Report given by Andrew Busch. Negotiations will be proceeding shortly between the Committee/Council and a potential private partner.

5.9 Municipality of Whitestone BR&E Program.  Not present at this meeting

5.10  E conomic Development in the Municipality of Powassan  

• Andrew Busch reported on the sale of the Powassan Jr. Public School to the new owners who will be establishing a recreational centre.  There are plans for this centre to host soccer day camps, a fitness centre, showers, lockers etc. Winter activities could include community activities such as courses for painting, dancing, theatre etc.
• Re: the NDM First Impressions project, Powassan is in the process of seeking a partner.
• A June launch of the trails project is anticipated.

5.11   Almaguin Marketing Proposal

• There will be a meeting for all municipal councils interested in hearing the proposal from Impagination.  It will be held in Sundridge on May 31 at 7:00 p.m.  

5.12 Almaguin Highlands Bed and Breakfast Association. (AHB&B)

• There will be a Bird Watching Weekend organized by the B&B Association and a package is available.  Martin and Kathy Parker will be leading the expeditions -- more information is available at www.visit-almaguin-highlands.com or phone 1-888-311-8519

• Carol Adamthwaite presented a brief account of the past history of this organization and reported that a 2-year water study has finished.
• A book titled “On the Living Edge” has been a fund-raiser for the Foundation and copies were passed around for viewing.  This is a must have book for those who live on the waterfront, so that they may preserve the lifestyle and environment that drew them to the water’s edge in the first place. The cost is $20.00 and can be obtained from the Foundation (and other sites)
• They are developing an educational package at this time including several brochures from the Mattawa Consservation Authority.
• They are also developing refrigerator magnets citing the do’s and don’ts of cottage living.
• A suggestion from David Thompson was to make the package available to the Real Estate Board.
• Kay Tod explained Magnetawan’s (Lake Cecebe Waterways Association and the Ahmic Lake Cottagers Association) interest in partnering with this Foundation.  The Magnetawan River has headwaters in Kearney and we all have a responsibility to keep the river clean.  Carol will be in touch with Clint Brooks (Magnetawan/Baltimore, USA ) to see if they can work together.

5.14  Community Updates Directory 

• Denise Eckert was unable to attend.  Monthly community directory is available in many locations  --- look for the large yellow sheets of paper!

. 5.15  BF/A/R Economic Development Group. 

• Gib Lane gave a brief update on the progress of this group
• David Thompson will be working with this group shortly.

5.16  East Ferris Recreation Committee

• Cameron Merry gave an account of future events. He also explained that he has two jobs --- he is the Sports Director for the four summer months and then works in the arena for the rest of the year.
• The 2 nd Annual Mayor’s Walk will be held on June 4
• A Ball Hockey tournament is being organized although responses have been slow due to many other ongoing organized activities.
• Soccer registration is up and interest is high
• In response to a question, Cameron ventured a cost of approx $1500.00 to establish an existing soccer field.  Cost for a new field would be considerably higher
• Dialogue as a result of this report indicated a general feeling that communities need a paid recreation co-ordinator.  Interesting to note that the “sports of choice” have shifted from hockey and baseball to soccer and skateboarding.
• Concerns about prohibitively high costs of transportation and accommodation for sports leaders (such as for the Summer Swim Program) were expressed.
• David Thompson gave each partner a copy of his booklet entitled 20 Clues of Sustainability for a Rural Northern Ontario Community.  Thanks to David from all present. 
  

6.  Correspondence 

• None.
  

Moved by Sled-Kurrle and seconded by Tod that a letter from the Chair be sent to the South River Public School and teacher Mary Ann Maloney congratulating the students involved in the Atomic Boot Project. Carried.

7. In-Camera

8. Other Business/Community Reports.

9. Adjournment and next meeting

Moved by Scott that the meeting adjourn at 12:36 p.m.   Carried

Next meeting: Burk’s Falls  Place: TBA by the Chair

• 10:00 a.m. Date June 15, 2006

Thank you to the Township of Chisholm for the use of the lovely, bright Council Room and for the refreshments.

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________________________     ______________________

Christine Golding, Chair                   Kay Tod, Secretary

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