The third set of Public Information Centres (PICs) will be held in Lindsay on Wed., January 27th, and on Coboconk on Thur., January 28th. Both meetings start at 7:00 p.m. Note that there will be an open house on both days before the meetings, starting at 4:00 p.m. These meetings represent the public consultation component of the plan development. If you’re interested and able to attend, this is your opportunity. For details on the locations and the backgound, read the official notice by clicking here.

There will be an all-candidates meeting on January 7th at 7:00 p.m. at the Bobcaygeon Legion. This will give everyone a chance to hear the candidates in  person. Although now format has been publicly announced yet, one can reasonably assume that there will be plenty of oppostunity to ask the candidates questions.

Remember, you can keep up to date on all things by-election right here on our By-Election page.

The City is hosting meetings for public consultation on the Growth Plan Strategy and the Municipal Master Plan at two locations: The Coboconk Service Centre on December 9th and City Hall in Lindsay (Victoria Hall) on December 10th. There will be an open house starting at 4:00 p.m. at both locations, with the meeting starting at 7:00 p.m. You can read the details in the City’s Notice of Meeting.

The Growth Plan Strategy is ambitious: it provides a framework for growth in the City through to the year 2031. It deals directly with planned growth in the “urban” centres within the City: Lindsay, Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls and Omemee. The Plan will govern issues including infrastructure planning, transportation, waste management, urban form and natural heritage. While these issues clearly have an impact on the residents of the aforementioned urban areas, they will also affect those of us in the smaller communities (“hamlets”, to use the city planning jargon). Growth and waste management can have an impact on the local environment, including the quality of our lake water. And all of these issues are ultimately linked to our taxes.

If you are interested in these issues and have a chance to attend, please do so. These meetings are set up so that you can voice your concerns and opinions to protect your interests.

The City of Kawartha Lakes will hold a byelection to fill the councillor’s seat that has been empty since Pete Cziraky succumbed to cancer in September. The election will be conducted through a mail in ballot, so there won’t be any traditional voting stations or a voting day. Ballot kits will be mailed to voters by early January and completed ballots should be dropped in the mail by January 20th. Alternativel,y the ballots can be dropped off at the Bobcaygeon Municipal Service Centre (123 East St W.) or at City Hall (26 Francis St., Lindsay) by January 22.

The deadline for nominations is on Dec. 11. Check back here for updates as the election process progresses.

The Annual General Meeting for the Association will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 6 at the Union Church. Refreshments will be served after the meeting. Please plan to attend. This is an excellent opportunity to hear about the projects and issues that have occupied SPA over the past year and those that will be on our plates over the coming year. Its also a great chance to bring forward and discuss issues that are important to you. You can read the SPA AGM Notice and print it out if you like. It includes the agenda for the meeting. Check back soon to get the AGM info package. It will include SPA’s annual financial statements and the minutes of last year’s AGM.  See you there!

Our own Sturgeon Lake Sailing Club is hosting the 2009 Mid Ontario Championship Regatta this weekend. This is a big event that attracts a large number of participants. Sturgeon Point comes up big to host a few hundred competitors and families in our small community every year the Regatta is held here. You’ll almost certainly notice a few tents and a whole lot of young sailors out and about our community this weekend.  You’ll certainly notice an unusually large number of sailboats on the lake – its quite a sight. Let’s hope for fair winds and good weather to help make our visitors feel welcome.