Local Polar Plunge raises $4,171 for Special Olympic athletes

The 2023 First Responders Polar Plunge, in support of the Special Olympics, took place February 4th . The Brant County OPP, Brantford Police Service, County of Brant Fire Department, along with area residents, literally braved the frigid cold to take a plunge at the Brantford Airport to raise money for the 26,000 athletes who compete in the Special Olympics. Despite being the coldest day of the year, a total of $4,171 was raised. Below are some photos shared by the OPP West Region

It started out as a successful flower shop, then blossomed into a women’s clothing boutique run by Marilynne Thomas and her daughters Suzanne and Leah. After Marilynne retired in 2012, and with Suzanne pursuing a career in aesthetics, Leah became the proud owner

This recent donation is just one of several causes the local business supports. They are big supporters of Nova Vita, donating $100,000 in fashions, footwear and accessories over the last 10 years to Nova Vita’s boutique (Closet Couture) to sell and raise money for the safe homes they provide to women and children leaving domestic violence situations.

So, if you haven’t already checked out this gem downtown Paris, be sure to stop in and see what they have to offer, or just to say hi. If fashion isn’t your forte, but you love shopping, let one of their experienced staff members fit you with a style all your own!

What’s important to you?

Your feedback could help shape the priorities of this community for the next four years – take the survey, complete the poll this month

By Casandra Turnbull

Now is your chance to make your voice heard and to help shape the vision, services and priorities of the County over the next four years. The County of Brant and Council is asking the public what do you think is important? For the month of February, the EngageBrant website is open for comments. Users are encouraged to take a quick poll, complete a survey and input your thoughts and opinions. The quick poll is literally just that –one question – to identify your number one priority for County of Brant. The options laid out are as follows: expanding natural heritage areas, bringing new business to Brant, ensuring Burford, Paris and St George downtown cores are thriving and vibrant, attracting more visitors to the area and expanding tourism, ensuring the County of Brant implements best practices related to environmental sustainability and energy management (building design, facility upgrades, carbon neutral, etc), protecting heritage such as historical buildings, museums and cemeteries, expanding opportunities for artists, cultural programs and festivals, increasing communication and connection with the county and protecting green space, farmland and water. As of press deadline for The Paris Independent, the top three priorities, voted on by 31 people are: protecting greenspace (49%), ensuring the downtown cores are thriving and vibrant (16%) and ensuring best practices related to environmental sustainability (16%) Realtime results are posted and will remain posted on the EngageBrant website even after public consultation closes on February 28th , says Melissa Connor, Director of Communications and Public Relations.

“Council is excited to hear from the residents and business owners, across the County, about their hopes, vision and priorities Public input will helps shape future discussions, setting priorities and ultimately, the development of the next Strategic Plan,” said Connor, who will be monitoring the results, compiling the data and sharing it with the Interim Chief Administrative Officer, Darryl Lee, and staff. Using this data, staff will collaborate with a facilitator to prepare an agenda for Council, explained Connor of the next steps

“Council will be guided through a facilitated conversation and at the end, Council will form priorities for the next four years. These priorities will be articulated in an official ‘2023-2027 Strategic Plan’ document and the Plan will be available on the website and throughout the community ”

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Strategic Plan open house dates –

in

Person And Online

Join us and tell us your hopes, vision and priorities for the County of Brant!

In-person, Open House: February 22, 2023 from 9:30 am – 11:30 am and 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the Brant Sports Complex, LaFarge Meeting Room, 944 Powerline Rd. Drop in and speak with staff and members of Council about topics that are important to you

Virtual meeting: February 23, 2023 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm. Visit www.brant.ca/OurFuture to join the virtual meeting that will include a facilitated discussion.

Mounties Report

Aside from keeping the official plan in line with the current elected council, Connor says it's important to update it often because a lot can happen in four years, needs and wants change and a lot of opportunities become available.

“This review, coupled with valuable public feedback, helps to determine where are we going and what needs to be prioritized ”

The EngageBrant website also offers a survey, which was also mailed out to residents just this month, asking people about various topics: sustainable and managed growth, economic resilience, green and clean ideas, arts, culture and heritage, stable and responsible government, traffic congestion, parking, safe driving/cycling, recreation, transit, how the county hosts public meetings/forums and communication. There are lots of opportunities within the survey to expand on your ideas and thoughts.

Once county staff presents the results to council, they will discuss a wide variety of topics - everything from infrastructure to green energy to economic development to arts, culture and heritage, says Connor. “If the County is responsible for the service, it is on the table for discussion,” she stated. Just a general reminder, only topics that are within the realm of municipal decision making are up for discussion For example, topics such as schools and hospitals, where funding is allotted provincially or federally, are not within the responsibility of the County are not typically explored.