LOB Council not happy with MPAC agreement, hospital board looking for members, Bracebridge Rotary and CMHA team-up, Huntsville wins award, District instructs businesses to install backflow valves

We’ve put together some of our own Muskoka Newsbites from various sources including media releases, along with a few notes contributed by our friends at The Bay 88.7 FM.

LOB COUNCIL reluctantly signs MPAC agreement

Council for the Township of Lake of Bays joined the chorus of voices from municipalities concerned with a new Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) agreement.

Only have of the provinces municipalities have opted to sign the agreement, and though the Lake of Bays Council did sign, they did so “in protest,” at their January 9 meeting.

Lakes of Bays Mayor Terry Glover indicated that the District of Muskoka also has issues with the agreement and there are specific concerns that were outlined by township staff.

Three primary concerns of the District, which involve changes to service levels, use of MPAC data, and records and audits.

Councillor Mike Peppard expressed concern about the control that MPAC will have of the data the Township uses and being able to use it at their will, including possibly selling it.

He added that MPAC may also want to audit the Township’s system.

“We’ve already had IT concern from our consultant that we don’t allow anybody into our systems,” says Peppard. “We will respond to requests but we’re feeling that their taking control of our data without a lot of our input.”

Glover added that the District has written a letter to the provincial and federal Ministers.

“We are going to take it higher up to see if we can make any kind of change,” he says.

MAHC LOOKING FOR BOARD MEMBERS

The community-oriented team of volunteer directors at Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) is accepting applications for new board members and committee appointee members.

Annually, the MAHC Board, through the nominations committee, identifies vacancy requirements and conducts a recruitment drive in advance of the Annual Meeting.

MAHC is inviting formal applications from candidates to fill upcoming vacancies. The successful candidate’s term would begin immediately following the Annual Meeting, typically held in June. Previous experience on boards with similar scope and challenges (not necessarily health care) is an asset.

“With our capital redevelopment project on the horizon for the future Made-in-Muskoka Healthcare system, this is a particularly exciting time for MAHC’s Board of Directors,” says nominations committee chair Tim Ellis via media release. “We are looking for candidates who want to help shape the future of healthcare for our communities.”

MAHC is seeking applications from individuals with a broad range of skills, perspectives and expertise with those featuring specific charateristics and experience standing out from the rest.

This includes individuals who have quality and safety expertise in business or industry; understanding of quality-of-care issues and performance measurement; benchmarking experience; experience in process improvement methodology.

Those who have experience in/or understanding of health care leadership, or a practitioner with experience and/or understanding of health care operations, funding and systems; plus understanding of the principles and processes of healthcare funding and fostering funding relationships.

As well, they’re looking for individuals who have been actively engaged in the community and are seen as a community leader/influencer, who also have an understanding of broader stakeholder environments.

Last, but not least, the board could use someone with demonstrated knowledge of environmental, social and governance issues, including inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism issues.

Applicants must meet eligibility requirements, live, work, or be registered on a municipal voters’ list or tax roll in the Muskoka or East Parry Sound geographic area, and be 18 years of age or older. A police criminal record check is also required.

In addition to attending board and standing committee meetings, board directors must be able to devote at least 25 hours per month for meeting preparation, committee work, and other events for up to a three-year appointment. Generally, board meetings alternate between the Huntsville and South Muskoka hospital sites each month with some meetings using virtual platforms.

Applications are also being accepted for committee appointee members of standing committees. Applicants must attend the standing committee meetings and provide a time commitment of approximately three to five hours bi-monthly for a one-year appointment.

The Board of Directors continually strives to represent the diversity of voices and experiences in our community and strongly encourages individuals from underrepresented communities to apply.

The application deadline for both a board member and non-director committee member is Sunday, March 10, 2024. Learn more and apply online today by visiting www.mahc.ca/boardrecruitment. Only those applicants chosen to be interviewed will be contacted.

Bracebridge rotary and CMHA team up

The Rotary Club of Bracebridge and the Canadian Mental Health Association – Muskoka Parry Sound branch are partnering in support of people with mental health challenges.

The Rotary Club of Bracebridge recently initiated a committee to focus on mental health in the community, chaired by Jon Denbok.

According to the World Health Organization, 450 million people are currently struggling with mental health. In Canada, that equates to 6.7 million – one in two Canadians have or have had, a mental health illness by the time they are 40 years of age.

Locally, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit has recent data indicating that 9.5 percent of Muskoka residents rate their mental health as “fair” or “poor,” which is below the provincial average of 8.2 percent.

According to the Health Unit, over 23,000 visits regarding mental health were provided by their Bracebridge office in 2023 with 2,849 receiving service in Bracebridge and 5,036 finding separate program admissions last year.

“These statistics are staggering and there is still a strong stigma attached to mental illness that we would like to help the Canadian Mental Health Association – Muskoka Parry Sound break down,” said Denbok in a press release. “Although this partnership is in its infancy, we have lofty goals to help support people in our community.”

The kickoff to the campaign was at the Rotary Centre for Youth on January 12, where Rotarians and CMHA staff came to pack 100 comfort kits which are small backpacks filled with essential items that homeless people may need. 

Rotarians will also be volunteering with CMHA to help people who need transportation, and support. This support is as simple as having a coffee with someone who would otherwise keep themselves shut in – it may seem small, but it isn’t for someone who is in need.

 As the relationship develops, they will be sharing further joint ventures with the community. 

“We welcome any community member or business who would like to get involved in this initiative to contact us. It is going to take all of us working together to support our community through this crisis and ensure everyone has the proper supports,” said Rotary Club president Don Smith in a media release.

For more information or to get involved, contact Jon Denbok at 705-261-0556 or Diane Brown -Demarco at 705-645-2262.

award-winning brand

The Town of Huntsville announced that the new Community Brand, soon to be rolled out, received the silver in the ‘Complete Branding Campaign category’ at the 2023 Summit International Awards.  

Town staff, as well as members from various community groups, including the Huntsville BIA, Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax Association (HMATA), and the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce, worked with an agency to develop the new community brand.

This year’s panel of judges, representing over a dozen countries across five continents, evaluated entries in 16 major categories. Their blind judging process aimed to recognize inventive concepts, impactful user experiences, and effective communication.  

“The new brand was designed with a sense of placemaking in mind, including economic development, resident and investment attraction, tourism and wayfinding,” says Lauren MacDermid, Huntsville’s Economic Development Officer.

With the HMATA group recently selected as the Town’s Destination Management Marketing Organization, the Town looks forward to implementing the new brand for Huntsville in external marketing. The Town will retain its current corporate logo for municipal government communications.

Kelly Haywood, HMATA Executive Director adds, “the colours reflect our seasons, forests, lakes and waterways, it’s simple and well-designed and we’re going to put it to great use ensuring that Huntsville is on the map.”

The Town will retain its current corporate logo for municipal government communications.

Backflow Valves needed To Help Protect District Water Systems

The District of Muskoka is taking steps to prevent backflows into serviced properties, enhancing water system safety.

The District says official notices will be sent to commercial, industrial, and institutional properties connected to the water system starting in Q1 2024.

Property owners have 90 days to complete a cross-connection control survey, identifying and addressing risks. Any deficiencies found will be the property owner’s responsibility, covering survey costs and corrective actions.

The survey data will inform risk assessment and protection levels according to the District’s Drinking Water Protection By-law.

Visit muskoka.on.ca/backflowprevention for program details.