Town of Bracebridge Council Correspondence

Transcription

1 BRACEBRIDGE Town of Bracebridge Council Correspondence To: Copy: Council Members Chief Administrative Officer, J. Sisson Chief Librarian, C. Rodney Director of Culture & Recreation, L. Broere Director of Development Services, K. Horrigan Director of Economic Development, C. Kelley Director of Public Works, Vacant Fire Chief, M. Medley Human Resources Assistant, S. Keast Treasurer, C. Wakefield Media From: Date: Lori McDonald, Clerk July 18, 2012 CIRCULATION: Item # Description SECTION "A" - STAFF INFORMATION MEMOS: A1 Nil. SECTION "8" - GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE: Letter from Bill Mantel, Assistant Deputy Minister (A) of the Research, Commercialization and B1 Entrepreneurship Division, Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation, dated June 29, 2012, regarding an introduction to SBEC Managers. B2 B3 B4 Communication from Ontario Good Roads Association, dated July 11, The Weekly Detour. Communication from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), dated July 12, Watch File. Communication from Jill Harris, Economic Development Administrative Assistant, regarding an invitation to welcome medical students on August 28, 2012.

2 Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation Office of the Assistant Deputy Minister Research, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship Division 56 Wellesley Street West, 7th Flpor Toronto ON M7A 2E7 Tel: Fax: June 29,2012 SBEC Managers: Ministere du Oeveloppement Economique et de l'lnnovation Bureau du Sous-ministre adjoint Division de la recherche, de la commercialisation et de I'entreprenariat 56, rue Wellesley Ouest, 7 etage Toronto ON M7A 2E7 Tel. : Telec. : f'~ t :> l/jr Ontario I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the Assistant Deputy Minister for the Research, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship Division of the Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation (MEDI). This is a new Division that was created through a recent realignment of MEDI, with responsibility for the Ministry's research programs and regional networks, and all programming and services to support entrepreneurship and youth. As we go forward, the new MEDI structure will enable the Ministry to fully integrate functions with a clear vision and mission, a refreshed sense of purpose, aligned with the new fiscal reality. The Small Business Enterprise Centre network is an important component of the Ministry's strategy to create jobs and generate wealth in Ontario. I have had the opportunity to discuss your work with Keith West prior to his retirement, and I am impressed with your accomplishments. I, understand that you recently attended the annual SBEC conference where you had the opportunity to meet with your colleagues across the province to share best practices and receive updates from MEDI and our partners. I am excited to work with you to continue to support small business and grow local economies,through strong and cohesive regional networks. Thank you for partnering with the Ministry to support economic development in Ontario., I look forward to learning more about your work through ongoing discussions with the Entrepreneurship Branch team, meeting with you, and taking the opportunity to visit your Centres. Sincerely, Bill Mantel Assistant Deputy Minister (A) Research, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship Division c: Municipal Directors of Economic Development Sam Boonstra, Director, Entrepreneurship Branch, MEDI

3 The Weekly Detour Page 1 of3 The Weekly Detour You are viewing a feed that contains frequently updated content. When you subscribe to a feed, it added to the Common Feed List. Updated information from the feed is automatically downloaded to your computer and can be viewed in Internet Explorer and other programs. Learn more about feeds. Subscribe to this feed Public sector finance fundamentals Think. Asset Management. OGRA recently released its Academy for Municipal Asset Management website, Our first course is set to launch this fall... public sector finance fundamentals. OGRA courses and upcoming events Highway Safety Manual Training Advanced Contract Law Training Contract Dispute Resolution Training Sky bridge lift successful at Concord Adex condos in Toronto Plans to hoist a sky bridge spanning two condominium towers in Toronto recently took more than three-anda-half years of planning. The 328-ton bridge now connects two towers, Block 26 and Block 29, part of the Concord Adex development known as Parade. The lift of the structure was engineered by Western Mechanical Electrical Millwright Services Ltd. of Barrie, Ontario. Sand gritting paves the way to perpetual pavement For several years now, the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario has had its sights set on perpetual pavement - highways that will last, if not eternally, at least for the foreseeable future. One of the keys to realizing this dream seemed to be using durable, stone mastic asphalt as the surface course. That was, until issues with skid resistance emerged that put the process on hold. One Canadian road builder seems to have solved the problem. 200-meter crater sinks Manitoba highway Manitoba highway crews are scrambling to assess a large crater that has formed on Highway 83 between

4 The Weekly Detour Page 2 of3 Roblin and Asessippi Provincial Park. An underground slide has created a sinkhole that is 200 meters wide and more than five meters deep, according to the provincial government. Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton blamed the highway collapse on recent heavy rainfall in the region. Who is best able to manage risk in public sector construction contracts? When you look at all production activities, and indeed all contracts, they involve an element of risk. Construction contracts are no exception to this rule. While the risk arising from a contract may take any number of forms, that risk must be allocated between the parties to the contract as an integral step in the negotiation process. Investment in high-speed rail could yield benefits of $26.4 billion in 40 years While critics of implementing a high-speed rail program in America say the u.s. cannot afford to build it, new information released recently shows that the net benefits to investment far exceed the cost. The report, titled "Opportunity Cost of Inaction: High-Speed Rail and High Performance Passenger Rail Service," was released at a Congressional briefing by the American Public Transportation Association. It shows that building a highspeed rail program in the u.s. results in $26.4 billion in net benefits over the next 40 years. Petitions for vote on new bridge submitted The number of ballot issues that voters could face in November continues to swell, with three more groups turning in petition signatures by the deadline. The latest would give voters the final say over whether international bridges can be built between Michigan and Canada, require a supermajority vote in the legislature to raise Michigan taxes and allow home health workers to unionize. $3.4 million spent on TV ads to crush new bridge project Heavily outspending their opponents, the owners of the Ambassador Bridge have spent $3.4 million this year on TV ads in Michigan to block Gov. Rick Snyder's New International Trade Crossing bridge project, a watchdog report said recently. Caterpillar pays $510 thousand for shipping, selling uncertified equipment in California Caterpillar will pay a fine of $510,000 to the California Air Resources Board for shipping more than 590,000 onroad and off-road engines that did not have legally required emissions controls installed. The investigation of these violations was conducted with the U.s. Environmental Protection Agency and the u.s. Department of Justice based on similar conduct outside of California. The settlement calls for the Illinois-based company to

5 The Weekly Detour Page 3 of3 pay a total of $2.55 million in penalties nationwide for violations of the Clean Air Act. Construction employment down slightly in June According to Statistics Canada's recent labor force survey, the construction sector experienced little change in employment levels, down approximately 3,000 jobs, or 0.2 percent, in June. Despite the decline, employment in the construction sector over the 12-month period was up 0.5 percent, or approximately 6,400 jobs. The engineering behind the Hoover Dam and its bypass --_. The Hoover Dam, and the newly constructed Hoover Bypass, or Mike O'Caliaghan - Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, are engineering marvels that embody American ingenuity, grit and power. However, these public works share more than the Colorado River. They stand out as monuments of determination and exemplify how technology and chemistry contribute to engineering success

6 AMO Watch File - July 12,2012 Page 1 of2 AMO Watch File not displaying correctly? View the online version I Send to a friend Add Communicate@amo.on.ca to your safe list Association of Municipalities of Ontario Watch File July 12,2012 In This Issue - AMO Conference Program at a Glance now online. - Limited space available in AMO Conference Companions Program. - Showcase your producuservice on the AMO Conference Tradeshow floor. - Lower municipal costs by learning to manage risk. - LAS helps you lower your group benefits costs. - Career opportunity with the Town of Aurora. Eye on AMO/LAS Events Download a PDF version of the AMO Conference program at a glance and start to build your conference experience. Why travel alone? The AMO Conference Companion's Program provides an opportunity for your companion to explore the Ottawa area and still attend social functions with you. With 1.5 days of exciting programming your companion will enjoy some of what Ottawa has to offer. Register today. Get the attention of the valuable Ontario municipal market and stand out from your competition. With signage, giveaways, booth space and more, you can stay top of mind with municipal leaders and the decision makers throughout the AMO Conference. Start your exhibitor application today. LAS Access timely information about new and longstanding municipal risk issues through LAS' Risk Management Partnership with Frank Cowan Company. Good education and guidance can help lower municipal risk and also reduce the severity of claims against your organization. Continue to be frustrated by ever-rising group benefit costs? LAS' Group Benefits Consortium Program offers average savings of 12% at time of enrollment and very competitive renewal rates. Members also have full flexibility related to plan design to accommodate any collective agreement requirements. Request a no-obligation quote from LAS today to see what you can save. Career Opportunities Manager of Bylaw Services - Town of Aurora. Please forward your resume to: Human Resources, Town of Aurora, 100 John West Way, Box 1000, Aurora, ON, L4G 6J1 or to: hr@aurora.ca by July 25, AboutAMO AMO is a non-profit organization representing almost all of Ontario's 444 municipal governments. AMO supports strong and effective municipal government in Ontario and promotes the value of municipal government as a vital and essential component of Ontario's and Canada's political system. on Twitter! AMO Contacts AMO Watch File Team Conferences/Events Policy and Funding Programs _ html

7 AMO Watch File - July 12,2012 Page 2 of2 LAS Local Authority Services Limited MEPCO Municipal Employer Pension Centre of Ontario OMKN Ontario Municipal Knowledge Network Media Inquiries Tel: Municipal Wire, Career/Employment and Council Resolution Distributions 'Disclaimer: The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) is unable to provide any warranty regarding the accuracy or completeness of third-party submissions. Distribution of these items does not imply an endorsement of the views, information or services mentioned. Please consider the environment before printing this. Association of Municipalities of Ontario 200 University Ave. Suite 801,Toronto ON Canada M5H 3C6 To unsubscribe, please click here

8 Please join Mayor and Council of the Town of Bracebridge to officially welcome the 7 future physicians who will be completing their Clerkships in our Muskoka hospitals and medical facilities this year. DATE: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 TIME: 12:00 p.m. Media Reception - Kerr Park 12:30 p.m. Community B.B.O. - complimentary burgers and soft drinks PLACE: Kerr Park, 130 Beaumont Drive, Bracebridge To ensure that we have sufficient food available, please R.SVP. by August 24th to Jill Harris at ext. 227 or jharris@bracebridge.ca rrs:jxl2r\ ~ BRACEBRJDGE