Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Reginald Berard sentenced to life in prison for 2015 murder:
The man who brutally murdered and disembowelled 51-year-old Marcel Couillard in 2015 will serve a life sentence in prison with no eligibility for parole for 13 years, six months. The life sentence is mandatory, as Reginald Berard, 26, was found guilty of second-degree murder in October 2018. The range for eligibility for parole in a second-degree murder conviction is 10 to 25 years. The Crown and defence argued on Jan. 11 at what that eligibility for parole should be set. Defence lawyer Terry Waltenbury was asking for 11 years before eligibility for parole. The Crown was asking for 15 years. Full story can be found here.
Municipal election expenses: Bigger, Cacciotti ran deficits during mayoral race:
Mayor Brian Bigger and former mayoral candidate Cody Cacciotti ran campaign deficits, according to documents filed with the city ahead of the Dec. 31 deadline. Candidates for municipal office in last October's election have to file financial statements with Greater Sudbury by March 29 of this year, unless they filed documents before the end of 2018 stating they spent more money than they took in. That allows candidates to extend the deadline to June 30. Spending for mayoral candidates is capped at $7,500, plus 85 cents for every eligible voter in the city, while council candidates can spend $5,000, plus the 85 cents per voter in their ward. That puts mayoral candidates over the $100,000 mark, while councillor candidates are in the $12,500-$14,500 range, depending on the size of the ward. While the remaining candidates have until the end of March to submit their financial statements, several council candidates have already done so. By far the lowest spending was Ward 5 Coun. Bob Kirwan, who received no donations and spent just $129.53 of his own money on his successful re-election campaign. Get the full story here.
Election Night failure: City getting a rebate from online vote provider:
Greater Sudbury is getting some money back on its election costs because of the October 2018 voting meltdown that saw balloting extended for an extra day. A total of 51 municipalities that held their election online using Dominion Voting services were affected. An Internet provider used by Dominion mistakenly placed a limit on online traffic the day of the vote, Oct. 22. That caused the system to ground to a halt between 5:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. voting day. Some of the communities extended voting hours, while others, including Greater Sudbury, extended voting an extra day. While details of how much Dominion will rebate the city won't be revealed until Feb. 12, the City of Collingwood reported this week it is receiving a 55 per cent discount on the final phase of the election. Like Sudbury, Collingwood extended voting an extra day. It was the same in Pembroke, where officials reported this week they are getting 20 per cent off their entire bill from Dominion, which amounts to $3,000. If Greater Sudbury also receives a 20 per cent rebate, it would amount to roughly $52,000.
Trek for Cancer at Kivi Park on Sunday:
The Northern Cancer Foundation is inviting Sudburians to the Trek for Cancer Snowshoe Fun Run on Sunday Jan. 13 at Kivi Park. Participants will be strapping on their snowshoes for a great family-friendly event with courses of varying lengths and difficulty. Treks include a 1km that is free for Kids Under 12, 3km that is $5 for Kids Under 12 and $35 for adult registration, 5km for the $35 adult registration fee and 7km for the $35 adult registration fee. Snowshoe rentals will also be available for $5 courtesy of event sponsor Adventure 365. Online registration is now available at www.ncfsudbury.com. Registration can also be done in person on Jan. 13 and over the phone by calling 705-523-HOPE (4673).
Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury holding Climate Change Cafés this weekend:
Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury is holding a number of Climate Change Cafés this weekend where Sudburians can connect with people in their area and learn and do some simple but meaningful local actions which can help reduce your carbon footprint and help build political will for action on climate change. All ages are welcome at these cafés.
Find the one closest to you:
- Valley East Public Library, Saturday, January 12, 10:30 a.m.
- Downtown, Main Library, Saturday, January 12, 2:00 p.m.
- South End Library, Saturday, January 12, 2:00 p.m.
- Donovan, Beards Coffee Bar and Bakery, Sunday, January 13, 1:00 p.m.
- South End, Salute on Armstrong, Sunday, January 13, 3:00 p.m.
- Minnow Lake & New Sudbury, Twiggs, Sunday, January 13, 3:30 p.m.
If you are unable to attend, you can sign the climate pledge online at www.liveablesudbury.org/fridays_for_a_future, and you will be supported in fulfilling your pledge.
Busy weekend at the Sudbury Arena as Five and Wolves both play home games:
The Sudbury Community Arena will be buzzing this weekend as the Sudbury Five and Sudbury Wolves will play home games. The Five will take on the Cape Breton Highlanders on Saturday night with tipoff set for 7 p.m. On Sunday afternoon, the Sudbury Wolves will play host to the Niagara IceDogs at 3:05 p.m. Sudbury.com will provide recaps of all the sports action from this weekend at the Sudbury Arena so be sure to check back with us.
Ford's Bill 66 puts development ahead of people, and city staff are concerned:
Greater Sudbury planning staff have some concerns with the Tory government's open for business bylaw. Formally known as Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act, Bill 66 was introduced in December by Todd Smith, minister of economic development, job creation and trade, who Premier Doug Ford has also put in charge of reducing red tape for business.The wide-ranging legislation includes clauses that would allow developers of major projects to bypass a number of approvals normally required, with the goal of getting to a decision within a year. Open-for-business bylaws permitted under the act would cover an industrial development that will create at least 50 jobs. Cities must receive approval from the province to enact the bylaw, but don't have to hold public hearings first. More on this story can be found here.
