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The South Marysburgh Mirror January 2023 /9 COUNCIL CORNER John Hirsch Councillor, Ward 9 South Marysburgh December — a month of prepa- ration for the new term In late November and early December, our new Council engaged in a compre- hensive training and orientation process led by County staff. The CAO, Marcia Wallace, ensured that we received a solid grounding in what our legislative responsibilities are and what our limitations are as well. We were briefed by all department heads about the func- tioning of their departments and what they see as issues both short and longer term going forward. We were primed on a major decision regarding governance structure — looking at Standing rather than alli issues: coming to Committee of the Whole as well as advisory These decisions will be taken at the December 20 meeting — too late to report in this article. We had a very frank session about growth (the County is on the cusp of unprecedented population growth and building of new housing) and the needs coming out of that growth — as well as the implications from a financial standpoint, including debt. We toured the entire County for a very full day, seeing firsthand many of the issues facing this Council. Allin all, it has been an illuminating five full days and has prepared us well for a jam-packed agenda in the new year. Season’s Greetings! Council News At our first real meeting on December 14, we waived the procedural bylaw to consider ending the experimental imple- mentation of speed humps in Cherry Valley as a matter of emergency. As reported in the popular media, we voted to remove the humps immediately as most of Council was con- vinced they caused a hazard to farm equipment and were encouraging reckless behaviour, driving on the sidewalk, etc. | was not in favour of such immediate action as the item was not on the published agenda and the other side was not able to convey their side of the story. Government by online peti- tion is not a good thing in my view and | hope we don’t re- peat this process. e At the December 14 meeting, Council received the CAO’s third quarter report which is an excellent summary of all the work Council and the administration have done. | urger you read this to be fully up to date on all current projects and issues. It is attached to the agenda for the Council meeting which can be found on the County’s document center online and | will attached it to my email as well. Following Council’s decisions on committee structure and membership on December 20, all Council committees and boards will be up for membership nominations in January. Please watch for postings in the papers and my email and consider how you might contribute to your community. Coming to our meeting on January 10 will be presentations by two companies which propose to install large lithium ion battery electricity storage facilities in the County (BESS). They will need Council support if they hope to move for- ward. Keep an eye out for that agenda. | would like to know your thoughts. There is a Facebook group called PEC BESS Community Information Group where you can keep up to date. Other lam continuing my five-days-a-week community email, so if you are not already subscribed, just send me your email ad- dress and | will add you to the list of nearly 300 families. | can be reached by phone, text and email. jhirsch@pecounty.on.ca, 613-846-0046 And don’t forget, for immediate service the County help line is available: 613-476-2148 ext. 1023, email: info@pecounty.on.ca or submit a request using the online form on the County website: www.thecounty.ca Bylaw complaints: bylaw@pecounty.on.ca For weekend or 24 hour situations go to the who to contact hub/who-to-call/ page: www.thecounty. Pat's Cros & Jomns Jams - Chutneys - Relish Handknits Socks -Slippers - Mitts Hats, etc. Stuffed Toys