Notes from the County of Brant Council meeting, which was held on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.
Ron Eddy road dedication
As stated in a County staff report from Alysha Dyjach, General Manager of Development Services, over a 16 year period, Ron Eddy served County residents as Reeve of the Township of South Dumfries and Warden of the County of Brant, as well as his role of MPP.
Eddy served as Mayor for the County of Brant from its amalgamation in 1998 until 2018 and he was “integral to the administration of and building a foundation for the County as a single tier municipality.”
After approving a resolution from the September 26, 2023, County of Brant Council meeting, staff was instructed to explore various naming opportunities around the county and having worked with Eddy’s family members, it was decided to dub Governors Road East, from Osborne Corners to the Paris town limits, as “Ron Eddy Way.”
The dedication will include a sign to be installed on the side of a road, at a cost of $1,500.00, to be funded from the 2025 Operations sign budget.
The vote to approve the resolution was then carried unanimously.
40 km/hr Neighbourhood Zones
Last week, the Brant Beacon reported that during the Administration and Operations meeting held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, the County of Brant was looking into lowering the speed limit on various residential roads in 44 neighbourhood areas throughout the County, to 40 km/hr.
During the Council meeting on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, councillors unanimously voted to approve staff’s recommendation to give the County’s Roads Department the green light in moving ahead with its three year implementation plan.
To see all the details, including which neighbourhood areas are set to change, check out last week’s Brant Beacon article here: https://www.brantbeacon.ca/county-council-looks-to-implement-40-km-h-speed-limit/
Winter Sidewalk Maintenance Program
Last week, the Brant Beacon reported that during the Administration and Operations meeting held on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, the County of Brant received a report in regards to the Winter Sidewalk Maintenance Program.
With the County adding approximately 12 new locations for winter sidewalk clearing during the upcoming 2024/25 winter season, the report looked at if the County should make adjustments to the program or if it should maintain the status quo.
During the meeting on Tuesday, October 22, the recommendation to maintain status quo for the County’s Winter Sidewalk Maintenance Program was carried on a vote of 8 to 0, noting that Councillor Lukas Oakley was not present and that Councillor Christine Garneau had a conflict of interest.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
The County of Brant proclaimed Monday, November 25, 2024 as “The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.” Acknowledging the urgent need for greater investment and action to end gender-based violence in the community and throughout Ontario, the day was created to encourage all citizens to take action in supporting survivors of gender-based violence.
According to the proclamation request from Jessica Powless, Fundraising and Events Coordinator for Nova Vita, Ontario’s femicide rates are on the rise. Since November 26, 2023, there have been 49 femicides in the province.
“Indigenous, Black, South Asian and South East Asian women and girls continue to experience high rates of violence, including femicide, and were overrepresented within the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses’ 2022-2023 Annual Femicide List,” read the proclamation. “… Last year in Ontario, on average every 7 days a woman or child lost their lives due to femicide.”
Throughout November (Woman Abuse Prevention Month) and throughout the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the County is encouraging the community to support the Wrapped in Courage Campaign.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
