Clarence-Rockland Discusses Daycare Changes - Good Morning from Rockland #6

In this week's episode of "Good Morning from Rockland" the new, weekly breakfast show by TVC22 host Thomas Stockting provides a news round up including: 

Proposed Day Care Changes

Ahead of the 2022 budget meetings taking place next week in Clarence-Rockland, the municipal council were discussing changes to daycares on Monday evening. 
As the city seeks to create a more financially sustainable system, changes are on the horizon with some of the work already underway. 

During a presentation by Mr. Ian Shelly from Blackline Consulting, Councillors heard that Revenues were getting closer to Expenses within the local daycares before the pandemic but, Mr. Shelly explained that there was a mismatch between the fixed costs (such as salaries and benefits) and variable revenues, leaving the system exposed.

The draft budget for 2022 has been tabled and, ahead of the budget meetings on November the 8th, 9th and 10th residents are invited to provide their comments and questions via the city's website only before 3pm on November 8th. 

174 Committee

On Monday evening, the City of Clarence-Rockland approved Mayor Mario Zanth’s proposal for a Committee to discuss the future of highway 174.
The committee will be made up of local administrative staff in what Mayor Zanth called an effort to “depoliticize” the issue. 
Earlier this week, MPP Amanda Simard explained what she thought of the move and what the future of the highway should look like.

Roads in Rockland

After what feels like an eternity Industrial Street is now open to traffic once more. 
The area does still remain a construction zone so drivers are asked to adhere to speed limits in place and the entrance to the Clarence-Rockland Arena will remain closed for the time being.
There is also no pedestrian access to Edwards St at the moment as, between Albert Street and County Road 17, the sidewalk is closed whilst work is undertaken to reconstruct the sidewalk.
The work started on the 1st of November and is set to be completed on the 15th. 

Covid-19 Update

Looking at the COVID-19 situation in our region, at the time of recording there were 7 active cases in the United Counties of Prescott-Russell of which only 1 was in the City of Clarence-Rockland. The 7 day rolling average is now down as low as 1.1 and vaccination rates continue to rise with 91.3% of the EOHU population having received one dose and 87.4% have received both doses.
The EOHU also announced this week that they are expanding the eligibility criteria for the third dose. So far 3,634 third doses have been administered and now, residents who have received their second dose over six months ago in the following categories can get their third shot too :

- Indigenous populations on or off reserve and their household members aged 18 and over
- Health care workers (as defined by the Ministry (Appendix B))
- Designated essential caregivers in congregate settings
- Individuals who received 2 doses of AstraZeneca or 1 dose of Janssen
  - Recommended to receive an mRNA vaccine for third dose unless contraindicated

The EOHU have stressed that, although the third dose is recommended it is neither urgent or mandatory. Individuals with two doses will still be considered “fully vaccinated” but a third dose will help improve the immune response and prevent infections. 

St. Albert Cheese Factory

The cheese factory in St. Albert is not only an iconic local institution with a history dating over 100 years, but they’re also an award winning cooperative as they have taken home 5 awards in this year's British Empire Cheese Show.
Despite this success getting staff is proving difficult but, according to their General Manager, Mr. Eric Lafontaine, this is an issue that predates the pandemic.

Vankleek Hill Food Garden

The Vankleek Hill Food Bank Garden Program is one of many organizations in the region that have received a substantial financial boost thanks to the “Volunteers Prescott-Russell” Community Innovation Grant Program.
A grant of $12,000 has allowed the Garden program to extend it’s work into the fall of 2021 and has already been very successful in teaching people the value, as well as how, to grow your own food.

Valoris and Kin Club

Over $200,000 dollars has been raised for Valoris Prescott-Russell in 2021 thanks to the “Catch the Ace lottery” organized by the Kin Club of Russell. 

Mr. Doug Anthony of the KIN Club & Ms. Carole Granata, Valoris’ “Communities That Care” coordinator shares their explanations on why Valoris was chosen, and how the money raised will be put to use.