GGRA.ca
THE GREATER
GRAVENHURST RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION
NEWS
From the Downtown
Revitalization Project
The Downtown
Revitalization Project is well underway. Here’s a summary of
what we’ve been doing,
and some of our upcoming plans.
Research leading to
action
We’re collecting the
insights and suggestions generated from past studies to
build on this information
and move ahead with solid action plans. The Project
Coordinator has also met
many of our business owners, and made presentations
to some community groups:
this is an ongoing process.
Leadership
The Management Committee
includes representation from the Town staff and
Council, the Ministry of
Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, our Business
Improvement Area and
Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Gravenhurst
Residents’ Association,
and community advisors. Volunteers for specific sectors
will be welcomed and
trained throughout the project.
Community Improvement
Plan
In consultation with the
community and with professional advisors, this process
will enable the Town to
offer financial incentives for physical improvements to
our central business
district.
‘Site Bites’
Watch for news about a
video contest that will celebrate the special gems in our
downtown area. TV Cogeco
is partnering with us: entries will be posted on their
website, and winners
aired on TV.
Business seminars
With funding support from
Muskoka Futures, we’re offering seminars by experts
to interested
participants throughout the district. The first one will be held on
March 8 by renowned
business guru, Barbara Crowhurst. Watch for details!
Get involved with our
revitalization!
Beginning in February,
anyone may drop in to the Carnegie Centre (beside the
Opera House) on Thursdays
from 10 to 2, or contact Marilyn de Lang by phone
or e-mail to make an
appointment. Presentations are available for your
organization: please
contact Marilyn to make a request.
THE
GREATER GRAVENHURST RESIDENTS' ASSOCIATION
MEMBERSHIP FORM
FOR
THE YEAR OF
___
new
membership _______ renewal
membership
BUSINESS/ASSOCIATION
NAME:
(if membership is for a business or
association)
FIRST NAME(S):
LAST NAME(S):
MAILING ADDRESS:
(INCLUDING POSTAL CODE)
E-MAIL
ADDRESS:
HOME
PHONE:
LOCAL PHONE:
(IF APPLICABLE)
LOCAL
ADDRESS:______________________________________________________________
(IF APPLICABLE)
YOUR CONCERNS OR ISSUES:
WOULD YOU
VOLUNTEER TO WORK ON AN ISSUE?
MEMBERSHIP FEE
$20.00 PER HOUSEHOLD Paid by Cash ______ Cheque
______
DO YOU
REQUIRE A RECEIPT? YES _____ NO _____
** We respect your
privacy. We do not share members’ names and addresses. **
Please make cheque payable to Greater Gravenhurst
Residents’ Association.
Please mail your payment and membership form to:
Lori
Smith 687-3387
thinice@muskoka.com
1 – 155 Progress Drive
Gravenhurst, Ontario P1P
1X4
HOW DID
YOU HEAR ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION?:
Regarding the Town and the Aquatic
Centre expansion..
should be completed on time.
Steps are being taken to protect the
financial impact.
There are ongoing investigations by
Government agencies and an “in house”
investigation as well.
Taxes not being reduced, budget approved.
OMAFRA is holding payments for now
Each grant that we apply for is
decided individually, so that the worry about
the integrity of the Town affecting
future grants isn't necessarily a worry.
Looking at having a “Grand
Opening” in the Spring , 2012 for the Centre.
Some
other mentions:
The
“Best Practices and Operations Review” is being done...
The
Strategic Plan Draft for the Town is on the Town Website.under way...Judy Coward, an Economic
Development Consultant with the Ontario Ministry, is helping with
that. It will be a whole new look.
M.T.O.
Re Hwy 11.... It could be 10 years before work starts. The Town has
a committee working to provide feedback to us and will meet with
businesses to do that. Properties that have been purchased by the MTO
are beginning to be demolished.
We
have applied to the OMAFRA (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture,
Farming & Rural Affairs) for grants towards a program that will be to
revitalize the Town.
The
Chamber of Commerce will be relocating. We will be informed.
Corporate Services - Budget is passed as is.
Some
Town owned buildings are being looked at to bring up to Accessibility
standards.ie. Carnegie Building and Community Policing Building. The
old Dr.'s Office is being sold.
The
street refurbishing, light standards, etc. is completed except for the block with the fire.
That block will be started Sept 6.
The
Mayors Walk is being replaced by the “Act of Kindness” program.
The
Farmers' Market is open.
The
Town of Gravenhurst has 65 full time employees, 35 part time, 43 Fire
Fighters, and 30 summer
students. Organizational charts were there for us to take.
Winter
Carnival Committee is working on Winter Carnival to come back next
year.
UPDATED Builder siphons 1.8M from
Gravenhurst Community Pool Complex - Star Probe - April 21st., 2011
DEAR MEMBERS: There is an article in the
Toronto Star dated today, April 21, and the link below will allow you
to read it. .
This is a serious concern for us all and the GGRA is looking at what
we can do about it.
Evelyn, President
The link to the Article One is just below:
A Very Important
Message To All members of the GGRA,
Dear members:
Gravenhurst is
changing. We have some important issues to deal with.
A new Council,.
empty
stores in the "uptown" area.
a
terrible fire on our main street
separate retail areas, making it difficult to be united.
seasonal
problems.
highway 11 issues.
Escalating taxes
More than ever, we
need a group that can monitor Town actions, provide information, and
come together in strong numbers, when needed.
Recently we have: 1.
made deputations to council re an external Efficiency and Effectiveness
Review
2. made deputations to Council
questioning figures and clarification
3. participated on many committees: ie:
the Highway 11 Committee, the Heritage
Committee, the Transportation
Committee, and more.
4. helped with the Municipal Election
5. provided information to you on all
candidates.
6. initiated the changing of Ward
boundaries to make YOUR representation on
Council more equitable.
7. helped with "Earth Day" for the past
three years.
8. joined with groups to oppose the
Kendari Development on Gull Lake
9. joined with the North Street
residents & other groups, to oppose a development
which we considered detrimental to
our Gravenhurst Bay residents.
The GGRA is here to
make Gravenhurst the best possible town for us to live in. There IS
strength in numbers as was evident in many of our above endeavours. Is
this NOT important to you?
Evelyn Matson, - GGRA
