Warren Howes
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Trump calls PM ‘Governor Carney,’ threatens huge tariffs over China trade deal
OrilliaMatters
28I'd like to know exactly WHO will be holding onto the $1B required membership fee to join Trumps self-directed, self-created, self -serving Peace Board??Is it payable in bitcoin currency?I guess the self-anointed Chairman will decide that too ??
5- Warren Howes
The Canadian entrepreneur turning garbage into hand soap
29Amazing! Continued success with your innovation. Society needs more of this.Garbage/Waste to cleaning product.Please move as quickly as possible.
2- Warren Howes
Downtown bank sustained serious damage, will be closed indefinitely
OrilliaMatters 19National Bank facility is sitting vacant - right now.Atm is there. Counters are there. Offices are there. Vault is there. Security Boxes are there (I presume).100 yards down the street.
- Warren Howes
COLUMN: Provincial handcuffs make city's Official Plan an exercise in frustration
OrilliaMatters 14Mark great article. If anyone doubts the stupidity of building on small wetlands head to the Bay St. area and ask how their 'new homes' have made out. Sinking and cracked might be some responses. Orillia recently allowed the construction of a new roadway and housing development directly on the Silver Creek (Ben Inch farm and reservoirs). Backfilling has been continuously allowed between James St and the highway #12 bypass even though it was designated as a Provincially Significant Wetland several years ago. The city was allowed to remove even after all the years spent having it be approved as a designated area with the MNR. The OPP Central Region building was allowed to be built directly on the Mill Creek wetland along Hwy#12. The wetland area along Atherley Road directly behind the 'Curling Club' was being pushed for infilling until the Twin Lakes Conservation Club (led by Bob Bowles) proved it's value as a 'small wetland' area. Keep up your good work Mark.
- Warren Howes
Proposed Hawk Ridge development spawns flood of concerns at forum
OrilliaMatters 11Silver Creek is a very narrow 'cold water' stream. It is already under stress from the current golf course and development, Ponds, stream and connecting pools have all had their natural vegetation cut back (down) right to the very edge of the water to create better views (I guess) for the golfers, but leaves zero protection from the heat of the sun or filter protection from the surface water runoff. I read here that containment ponds will 'overflow' into Silver Creek. This contained water will be at a higher temperature upon entering the stream than the stream water itself - once again creating challenges to keep the cold water temperature required for the trout to survive.Plus wasn't the City of Orillia not in current discussions about possible annexation of lands from Severn Twp.?? Isn't Orillia itself currently working with LIV on the present development at the Inch Farm?? There are roads, sewer lines, fire hydrants already in place there. Are these homes in the total count?
1- Warren Howes
Province takes over Conestoga College after 'evidence of serious financial mismanagement'
OrilliaMatters 11Hopefully all colleges are being audited. The last Sunshine List showed a significant number of Senior College Administrators with high salaries. Perhaps excessive? Some $300,000 +Hopefully this Conestoga situation is to the extreme and not a common occurrence.Closing regional COMMUNITY College campuses is not in the best interest of Ontario.
- Warren Howes
Staff push back on councillors' city-run daycare idea for Orillia
OrilliaMatters 9If there is money to be made in the daycare business and there is such a large (seemingly identified need)...perhaps the Community Development Corp could help locate an interested entrepreneur to start-up a privately run facility. They (the CDC) could assist with the start-up and provide ongoing support to that business.Didn't the Orillia YMCA decide NOT to compete with the new Orillia MURF when it was being built. Then decided to fold up their tent. Sell off the (Orillia and area) funded Skid Watson business and building and run to Barrie to open a brand new $70M facility there - using all of that Orillia money?? Municipalities should not be allowed to compete with local taxpayer businesses using the same taxpayers dollars. The City could provide encouragement and help identify the need (or shortfall). But they should not provide taxpayer owned land, build the building, staff the organization and provide on-going management.
- Warren Howes
Ramara bioremediation site seeks OK for major expansion
OrilliaMatters 8Council you voted against this the last time (congrats) - please do the same thing again Ramara! Taking in polluted soils and materials from across Canada - not just Ontario?? Bringing them into a Mr. Ford decreasing environmental controlled Ontario? Just when LSRCA is about to be dropped and folded into a much larger regional control?While the area is made up of nothing but lakes and rivers and environmentally sensitive lands? I don't know? What possibly could go wrong here?Say NO THANKS !
1- Warren Howes
Doug Ford's judge 'rant' sparks fears over judicial independence
OrilliaMatters 9Did I not just read that Doug Downey appoints the Judges and the Justice of the Peace in Ontario? Doesn't Mr. Ford work along side of Mr. Downey? Isn't Mr. Ford's son-in-law in front of the court system right now? Perhaps there is another reason for his obvious anger here?Are not our jails not already overcrowded? Where would all of these 'repeat' prisoners be held? Isn't the system already overwhelmed with cases? Are convicted persons not already receiving an abundance of days OFF of their sentences because of how long it takes to have their cases heard?? Haven't we just spent way more money necessary on elections? Aren't the Conservatives already plotting to spend even more money ....pushing for the country to have another election as soon as possible (given another Liberal minority - like yesterday)? Why would we spend even more money (that we do not have) to elect Judges??If money is to be spent, please invest it in the judicial system we have - not in more elections!
- Warren Howes
'A legend': Orillia's Vic Rauter hangs up mic after legendary career
OrilliaMatters 8We're proud to have him here in Orillia !!Congrats Vic as you slide into retirement !
- Warren Howes
Lifeguard shortage cuts weekday pool hours at Orillia rec centre
OrilliaMatters 6How many hours per week are each of the Lifeguards scheduled to work?Are they scheduled at Full Time hours (40 ) or simply scheduled at Part Time Staffing levels (less than 40 hours per week? Less than 30?). My guess would be LESS than.....to save $$.Always counting on 'students' (because of your wages and hours) to fill your part time positions....is a risky plan. Insufficient budget $$$ sounds like a Mayor with Super Powers issue.The Rec Centre is a wonderful facility but if you have no staff.....good luck Director Russell.
2- Warren Howes
Orillia restaurant named one of best in Canada for 2025
OrilliaMatters 7CONGRATS to Simon and all the Common Stove staff!! Your hard work and committment has truly paid off !
- Warren Howes
Casino Rama set to mark 30 'unforgettable' years Thursday
OrilliaMatters 7My congratulations to Rama First Nation and to Casino Rama Resort on your 30th Anniversary. This was a major success story by Rama First Nation starting back in 1994 with the RFP process, through the 1995 construction process (and delays), through the immense training, hiring and development process, and finally the grand opening in July 1996. This was no small accomplishment. Adding the Hotel and then the Entertainment Complex were additional highlights. There were days when everything went extremely well and successes could be celebrated and few that challenged the patience of Chief, Council and the Implementation Team. I am still very proud of the very small role I was able to play through the start-up process and early years of operation. Accepting the Casino Rama Trainer-of-Record responsibilities and working on the (then) Community and Casino Task Force; through my position with the college; brought challenges and exceptional experiences I will never forget. Continued Success,
- Warren Howes
COLUMN: Students give parking at Lakehead a failing grade
OrilliaMatters 4In a couple of months the Orillia Campus of Georgian College will have all sorts of parking spots available. Lakehead could hire a shuttle driver with a small van (from their parking revenues) and quickly run students back and forth to their Campus hourly or continuously. Better yet - why not allow lakehead to take over the Georgian Orillia Campus if more space is required in the very near future?Funny how life is....Georgian College (under the President of the day) wanted zero to do with having Lakehead open in Orillia years ago. As a matter of fact they fought then Orillia Mayor Ron Stevens for supporting Lakehead at all. But here we are having Georgian shutter its' campus...and I might add - with ZERO complaints coming from Orillia - the City or the residents. Oh well.Lakehead could now have lots of parking and a campus expansion on Memorial Ave.
3- Warren Howes
'Great scene': Local seniors keep Brewery Bay skating rink alive
OrilliaMatters 5Fantastic work gentlemen! This is not an easy chore at all. Hopefully people truly appreciate your efforts and work with you to maintain the ice surface in good condition.I am sure the community is extremely proud of all of you and your efforts!!Just another 'Seniors Moment! 'Congrats !
- Warren Howes
COLUMN: Sweet forgetfulness, 'long goodbye' of dementia
OrilliaMatters 5I wish you (and all of your family members) nothing but the best while you live and work your way through this heart-breaking, emotional and obviously stress inducing time.Thank you for sharing.PS. The cats will get over it!!
- Warren Howes
From one client to global reach: Orillia plant powers aviation giants
OrilliaMatters 5Great success story. Congratulations! I was very proud to have had the opportunity to assist with providing some of those employee training programs for Pursuit in their 'earlier' years. Wishing you many, many more successful years ahead.
- Warren Howes
'Much-needed boost': Province pumping $62M into Lakehead
OrilliaMatters 5This is fantastic news Ms. Dunlop. Stating your support for small northern campuses (like Lakehead in Orillia) and stating how important they are to providing the much needed training for future jobs. $63 Million for Georgian College wow!! Will that create the reversal of the Orillia and Muskoka campus closures? When might we expect that announcement from YOU ? Bruce Stanton was on the Board of Governors and I am sure he would be willing to stand beside you. After all the years of representing this area the two of you couldn't have been quieter on the issue of the Orillia Campus closure. Let's change that.What about the economic impact loss of 1500 students, the Faculty and Support staff jobs, the contracted staff positions, cafeteria services staff, the organizations in the area that benefitted from students on placement or students working on shared community projects. This loss should have created a reaction from your office, but NO! What is the revenue lost from 1500 students
- Warren Howes
Inside the warehouse poised to process your unwanted gifts this holiday
OrilliaMatters 3Hopefully every organization looking for clothing or other donations to support their (seemingly) endless client list is contacted prior to anything being 'simply' discarded into any landfill??
1- Warren Howes
From hot dog stand to hometown staple: Hill’s to celebrate 100 years
OrilliaMatters 4Mike and Chris have re-invigorated this restaurant while still maintaining it's long standing history and committment to great food, great service and pricing. Continued success and congrats on such an amazing milestone.Have a fantastic 100th year !!
- Warren Howes
