Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Despite urgency of the name, council votes to discuss Project NOW later:
Greater Sudbury Ward 4 Coun. Geoff McCausland doesn't believe that a proposed renovation to the downtown Sudbury Arena would save the city the $40 million that local architecture firm 3rdLineStudio says it would, but he does believe council should at least take a look at the idea. McCausland and Ward 1 Coun. Mark Signoretti tabled a members' motion during Tuesday night's city council meeting, requesting that staff take a closer look at the proposal — dubbed Project NOW — that was released publicly over the summer. With the motion on the table, council debated back and forth, with some councillors arguing that this was a change of direction that stepped on the toes of council's 2017 decision to move forward with the Kingsway Entertainment District. "I absolutely am not talking about a reconsideration, a redirection or a change of course in this effort," said McCausland. "What I'm trying to understand is, is there not $40 million to be saved? And the honest truth is I do not believe there is $40 million to be saved when … we're actually comparing apples to apples. “That being said I believe it is critical that this council doesn't allow a myth to persist in the community that we had a chance to save $40 million and we didn't even give that the time of day." McCausland asked for a deferral of the motion to the Oct. 6 meeting before debate on the motion even got underway, indicating that he would like the Project NOW team to make a presentation at the meeting so that councillors can pose their own questions before deciding whether it's worth having staff take a closer look at the proposal. Any further discussion on whether or not council will hear a presentation from the Project NOW team will have to wait, as council voted against proceeding past 9 p.m. on Tuesday night, shutting down the debate for the evening before any decision on the members' motion was reached. Read more on this story here.
Asphalt recycling pilot project hits a speed bump:
A $1.5-million road repair pilot project was canned by city council on Tuesday after some lively debate over the price tag and scope of the project. Council had been mulling over a hot-in-place asphalt recycling (HIR) pilot project that would have seen roughly 25 lane kilometers of roadway get an overhaul. The pilot made it through the tender process and came back with three bidders, the lowest coming in at $2.1 million, surpassing the city's budgetted amount by more than $550,000. City staff was recommending that council proceed with the project, while scaling it back to meet their budget. Instead, council voted to cancel the project and look to pick it back up in 2021. Full story here.
Sudbury health unit urging medical professionals to maximize flu vaccine program:
Sudbury's health unit has issued a guidance alert to area physicians on the importance of providing influenza vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic. The statement from Public Health Sudbury and Districts was released Tuesday afternoon, under the signature of Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, medical officer of health. "Reducing the burden of influenza is particularly important this fall and winter to prevent an increase in health care utilization alongside a potential resurgence of COVID-19 activity,” said the statement. "This fall, please consider immunization strategies that maximize vaccine uptake while safeguarding the health of your patients, your staff, and yourself." The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) advises that priority should be given to providing influenza vaccine to persons at high risk of influenza complications and those capable of transmitting infection to them. More on this story here.
Rainbow board releases its 2020-21 Guide for Students and Parents-Guardians:
The Rainbow District School Board has released its 2020-2021 Guide for Students and Parents/Guardians online on its website at rainbowschools.ca. The publication contains important information that will serve as a handy reference throughout the school year, including a link to the Reopening Guide for Rainbow Schools. “On behalf of trustees, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all students and families,” said Rainbow District School Board chair Doreen Dewar, in a press release. “As always, the health and safety of students, staff, parents/guardians and the communities that we serve is the first and foremost priority. We encourage parents/guardians and students to read the Reopening Guide for Rainbow Schools to learn about the many protocols being implemented for COVID-19." Director of Education Norm Blaseg encourages parents/guardians to take an active interest in their child’s education, whether they are learning in school or online. “We also ask parents/guardians to reinforce the health and safety protocols at home,” he said. “Everyone will be expected to follow them at all times. Thank you for working together to keep everyone safe.”
Teen driver charged following head-on crash on Highway 144 near Chelmsford:
A teenager was charged with careless driving following a collision on the Highway 144 bypass just south of Chelmsford on Sept. 8. The Ontario Provincial Police said a 17-year-old driver from Cascaden Township crossed the centre line and collided head-on with a southbound dump truck around 9:50 a.m. The teen was the only occupant of the vehicle and was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. One lane of traffic was closed for a short period of time to allow crews to remove the vehicles and debris from the roadway.
Then & Now: Canada’s oldest Chrysler dealership is right here in Sudbury:
Lumber baron William Bell caused a sensation when he and his wife, Katherine, drove around town in their new motor car, a luxurious 1911 Packard Model 30, with chauffeur Percy Gardner behind the wheel. Originally hired to look after the Bells' carriage horses, Gardner took a six-week course in Detroit, followed by two weeks in Toronto, to learn everything about the horseless carriage. Later, he would establish one of the first Dodge dealerships in Canada. The driving and mechanic skills Gardner acquired as the Bells’ chauffeur served him well on the battlefields of France. In the final days of the First World War, Sgt. Gardner received a military award for his service as an ambulance driver on the Western Front. Awarded in October 1918, the citation read, Gardner “worked incessantly under heavy shell fire displaying gallant and distinguished conduct and showing very keen devotion to duty during these operations.”* After Gardner returned to Sudbury, he opened a Dodge dealership in downtown Sudbury. Gardner Motors, now Doyle Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram, has been in continuous operation since 1921, and is considered Canada’s oldest Chrysler dealership. (Chrysler purchased Dodge in 1928.) Find out more here.
Helpers: There doesn’t seem to be a sport John Roberts hasn’t volunteered for:
For John Roberts, growing up enjoying a variety of sports inspired his lifelong passion for physical activity and volunteering, and influenced his long career as a teacher and mentor. Roberts has been a dedicated volunteer in track and field since 1970. Participating in sports in childhood inspired his lifelong passion for many sports. Roberts’ volunteer involvement with the Ontario Special Olympic Games began in the 1980s, when the event was run by the Sudbury Police. Subsequently, in the 1990s, he took on roles with the Ontario and the Canadian Games. Beyond the 1990s, Roberts was the ‘head guy’ for track and field for Ontario for close to 15 years. At one time, he also curled competitively and in club leagues. Once retired from teaching, Roberts transitioned to pensioners curling and, although he has stopped playing the sport, he enjoys volunteering in administration and co-runs the Friday Pension program at Curl Sudbury. Up until the pandemic hit, Roberts was still officiating at elementary school track and field meets. He is also a committed mentor, grooming others in a variety of volunteer roles. Full story can be found here.
Thursday Weather:
Rain showers to start the day, clearing late in the morning. Thursday's high will be sitting at around 16. A few clouds overhead this evening with some chilly temperatures settling in. Overnight low will dip down to 3, with a risk of frost. For current weather conditions, short-term and long-term forecasts visit Sudbury.com's weather page at www.sudbury.com/weather.
