Community

Information of interest to the local community

Citizens invited to Secondary Plan Open Houses

by

The City of Kawartha Lakes is giving residents of Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Lindsay, Omemee, and Woodville an opportunity to review the first full version of its plans for growth and development in each community, and provide input on a new program of financial incentives.

Following extensive consultation, research, and analysis completed through 2012, the municipality is ready to share the details of the plans to guide each community’s growth and development over the next 20 years.  All interested citizens are encouraged to attend the Open House in their community or visit the municipality’s website to obtain the Secondary Plans.

The municipality is also concurrently conducting public consultation for new Community Improvement Plans (CIPs).  Upon completion, the CIPs will make financial incentives available to downtown / main street properties in Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Lindsay, Omemee, and Woodville to encourage renovation, rehabilitation, and redevelopment.

“The linkage between the Secondary Plans and the Community Improvement Plans is very important,” says Michael Benner, the municipality’s Manager of Policy Planning.  “The Secondary Plans provide long-term direction and the CIPs will help stimulate positive change in the short-term.”

“The target audience for the CIPs is downtown / main street business and property owners,” indicates Denise Williams, the City’s Business Retention and Expansion Officer.  “There are many financial incentives that we can offer and we need their input so that we can tailor the financial incentives to their needs.”

The Secondary Plan Open Houses and consultation on the Community Improvement Plans will consist of display materials, an informal presentation, and a question-and-answer session.

The Secondary Plan Open Houses and consultation on the Community Improvement Plans are:

  • Bobcaygeon – July 29, 7-8:30 pm., Bobcaygeon Service Centre, 123 East Street South
  • Fenelon Falls – July 23, 7-8:30 pm., Fenelon Falls Community Centre, 27 Veteran’s Way
  • Lindsay – July 24, 7-8:30 pm., Victoria Park Armoury, North Room 2nd Floor, 5-13 Sussex St N
  • Omemee – July 25, 7-8:30 pm., Coronation Hall, 1 King St. West
  • Woodville – July 22, 7-8:30 pm., Woodville Town Hall, 101A King Street

For more information, please contact:

(Secondary Plans & Community Improvement Plans)
Michael Benner
Manager of Policy Planning
Development Services
The City of Kawartha Lakes
[email protected]
1.888.822.2225 / 705.324.9411 ext. 1330.

OR

(Community Improvement Plans)
Denise Williams
Business Retention and Expansion Officer
Economic Development
The City of Kawartha Lakes
[email protected]
1.888.822.2225 / 705.324.9411 ext. 1492

Blue-Green Algae – Get to Know its True Colours

by

The article below was published by The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit: 

GET TO KNOW ITS TRUE COLOURS
– Season For Blue-Green Algae Arrives, Bringing Reminder to Beware – and Be Aware – of Potential Risks to Public Health –

People who swim, drink and use water from area lakes are being reminded to be on the lookout for blue-green algae (BGA), and to change their habits accordingly if they detect it.

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is encouraging residents, cottagers and visitors who use area lakes and waterways to educate themselves about BGA to reduce their potential health risk. In the past few summers, BGA has surfaced in local lakes, particularly in shallow, still water and during extremely warm temperatures.

“Reports of blue-green algae in our region have been more common in the summer months, so it is important to beware of the risks associated with BGA and be aware of what to look for in the water,” says Richard Ovcharovich, Manager of Environmental Health with the HKPR District Health Unit.

BGA, also known as cyanobacteria, are primitive microscopic organisms that occur naturally in lakes, bays and inlets around the world. Normally, the algae are barely visible, but during warm weather the algae can rapidly increase in shallow, still waters to form a large mass called a bloom. Dense blue-green algae blooms can make the water look like a bluish-green pea soup, or a shiny paint slick. Most algae blooms are short-lived and will break down in a few days or weeks.

While many forms of blue-green algae are harmless, some forms produce toxins that can be harmful to humans and animals. This means that any exposure to the water, be it drinking, swimming, bathing, cooking or washing, can lead to health problems. The extent of how sick people can get depends on the type of BGA and how long they are exposed to the toxins, Ovcharovich says.

“If you see or detect serious signs of blue-green algae in a lake or local waterway, avoid using the water at all costs,” he says. “Boiling the water won’t help either, as this kills the algae resulting in the release of more toxins into the water.”

The Health Unit is helping raise awareness about BGA through an information campaign called Blue-Green Algae: Get to Know Its True Colours. The goal is to help people who use area lakes recognize BGA and take appropriate precautions.