Happy Saturday morning, Greater Sudbury. Here are a few stories to start your weekend.
Vote at the Market today
What’s better than shopping for locally grown produce and voting — all in one location! You can have your cake and eat it, too, at the Market’s Elgin Street location, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Election Bus will visit the Market from noon and 2 p.m. Bring your Voter Information Letter to cast your vote in the 2018 municipal and school board election. If you have not received your Voter Information Letter or need to make changes, please bring ID to register to vote or update your information.
Sex ed consultations begin later this month
Anyone in Greater Sudbury who wants to have a say in Ontario's sex ed curriculum can take part in telephone town halls the province is planning in the coming weeks. One town hall will be held this month – Oct. 23, the day after the municipal election – and three in November, on the 20th, 26th and 29th. The sessions are being held in the afternoon and evenings, depending on the day. More dates will be announced later for anyone who can't participate or misses out on the current sessions. To take part, you have to provide your telephone number and email. Registration closes at 4 p.m. the day before.
Former Mine Mill president Rick Briggs passes away
Rick Briggs, former president of Mine Mill Local 598 in Sudbury, died earlier this month. Briggs, 72, passed away with his son by his side Oct. 7 at Health Sciences North, according to his obituary. He was born in Sussex, N.B., and served as Mine Mill president from 1984-1995. Briggs had two children — Christopher Briggs and Tresha Briggs-Nash, and six grandchildren. “His life story reads of an eager young man who began his career as a miner with Falconbridge and worked his way up to be the long-time president of Mine Mill Union Local 598, a position he held dearly and took great pride in,” he obit says.
Public Health commits to working with Indigenous people to promote health and well-being
Public Health Sudbury and Districts celebrated the launch of its first ever Indigenous engagement strategy entitled "Finding Our Path Together" on Oct. 18. Thursday's event marked an important step in the organization's goal of health equity by bringing Indigenous people to the table to engage in the conversation about providing the best possible health outcomes for all Greater Sudbury and district residents. The mission is one that is simple, yet complex, and aims to bring PHSD and Indigenous communities together to work collaboratively to strengthen public health services. While Thursday's event was being formally called a launch, PHSD CEO Dr. Penny Sutcliffe explained that the event was less a destination than it was part of a journey that still has a way to go. "Working with Indigenous community partners to develop a strategy has been a rewarding learning journey for me, personally and for our organization," said Sutcliffe. "I'm extremely excited and a bit intimidated by the next steps as we roll up our sleeves to continue this journey together."
Lockerby Kids Caring for Kids Cancer Drive returns next week
A long-standing tradition of caring will continue again this year when Lockerby students and teachers canvass the city and surrounding communities on Wednesday, Oct. 24 from 6 - 9 p.m. Lockerby will celebrate the 23rd anniversary of the Kids Caring for Kids Cancer Drive next week as they continue their work in support of the Northeast Cancer Centre. Students will be wearing identifiable ribbons and issuing receipts for every donation. The funds are to be dedicated to the Pediatric Oncology Program of the Northeast Cancer Centre at Health Sciences North.
Watch live election night coverage on Sudbury.com
Election Day is just around the corner. Will our amalgamated city have its first two-term mayor in Brian Bigger? Will we see some new faces around the council table?
Every election is important, but this one has been more important than others. This particular election has become a referendum on the big legacy projects - including the Kingsway Entertainment District — instigated by the city council elected in 2014.
Sudbury.com's election coverage, which began all the way back in the summer, will culminate on Election Day. Join managing editor Mark Gentili and Nick Liard, the news director for Kiss 105.3 and 92.7 Rock, as they host our live Election Night show on Sudbury.com.
Election round up
On Friday, Sudbury.com published news from mayoral candidate Patricia Mills, in which she accuses incumbent Brian Bigger of disregarding due process by writing to Premier Doug Ford to try to accelerate the Local Planning Appeals Tribunal process regarding the Kingsway Entertainment District. Ward 7 candidate Frank Mazzzuca Jr. said services and youth opportunities in Capreol should be better protected by the city. Ward 12 candidate Shawn Ouimet issued a statement on the opioid crisis, saying a safe injection site is needed in the city. Sudbury.com's Where Do They Stand? series wrapped up with candidates from Wards 10, 11 and 12. Mayoral candidate Cody Cacciotti highlighted what he calls the "electronic voting fiasco," while Bill Crumplin, another mayoral candidate, accused fellow candidate Dan Melanson of playing a "last-minute populist card," and incumbent Brian Bigger thanked his fellow candidates for a hard-fought race.
Visit Sudbury.com's election news feed to read them all and more.
