Hello Huntsville.
Once again, its my pleasure to catch up with you.
I really want to thank our community for all of the local efforts that have been put forth in the last few months: innovative PPE, homemade masks, rocks of encouragement, meal provisions, signs of appreciation and many thoughtful initiatives all originated by this very generous and caring community. On behalf of all, I would like to express our huge gratitude to all the front-line workers.
I would also like to congratulate all of the graduates of 2020 who are not able to take part in traditional ceremonies this year. Graduations from grade 8, high school or post secondary are all milestones and we recognize your accomplishments and applaud you.
Each of us should be proud of the low number of COVID cases in Huntsville. Good adherence to the rules, including staying home more, social distancing when we are out, wearing masks; all of these moves have contributed to keeping the spread in check.
We are entering what appears to be a long hot July and August and our community is home to many travellers during the summer months, so it is imperative that we continue to practise the rules that have served us so well to date. Summer traditionally brings about more social gatherings so we must continue to protect ourselves by practising our two-metre rule, wearing masks, and frequent hand washing.
As of June 12th, our circles have increased to 10, summer patios are open and most retail stores are accessible to in-store options as well as still providing curbside pick up. We have assisted our business community with hand sanitizer, masks and social distancing stickers, all in an effort to keep all residents safe as they go out to shop and support our local merchants.
We have also painted arrows for one-way walking traffic on Main Street and six-feet markers for distancing. Everyone is encouraged to social distance while downtown and while waiting to enter establishments. We are also working with stores that want to expand their patios onto the street.
The town will continue to follow the guidance of the province and medical professionals and for every new allowance we will cautiously weigh the benefits of opening. We will consider first the health and safety of our residents and then the economics of each move. We have reopened parks, beaches, boat launches, tennis courts, basketball, volleyball, dog park, and frisbee golf.
Sport fields (except for Conroy) and playgrounds are still closed, but we are anticipating good news on that front soon.
I am a golfer and I have appreciated the opportunity to get back out and play again though with great care and different rules. I imagine many are eager to resume other activities as they arise. We are blessed with some of the greatest natural beauty in the province, right here in Muskoka. I hope each of you get a chance to engage in an outdoor activity that feeds your soul and relieves some of the stress this pandemic and change has caused.
The building department is fully functional and planning applications (if not contentious) are being processed. Now that the Province has suspended the delay in hearing planning applications they will resume in July, either virtually or in person.
We are holding regular council meetings, albeit only one a month right now. At this time, they are still virtual, however we are investigating a return to in-person Council.
While we continue with our battle against the virus, we are slowly addressing other town business matters.
The Town Hall is expected to fully open to the public on July 6th with all of the safety measures in place.
We are moving forward with the Community Planning Permit System. This will be close to a year-long process and entails public consultation. This system will streamline planning applications and help in the prevention of tree and vegetation removal prior to the application being approved.
As well, the Short-Term Rental licensing is underway, applications can be made online and everyone with a short-term rental is asked to have their license or their application filed no later than July 15th. A licensed facility ensures all safety measures are in place and guests are well looked after.
So, as we approach our coveted summer season, please treat each other with kindness and respect, protect yourself and others. Protect all of the hard work we’ve accomplished in the last three months in our fight against the virus. Together we stop the second wave.
The Town will not be marking Canada Day with its usual public festivities or fireworks, but be assured we will fly our flag proudly in celebration of the 153rd anniversary of Confederation. Happy Canada Day, Huntsville!
Main image: Photo of Mayor Karin Terziano by Kelly Holinshead, The Shutterbug Gallery. Town Hall photo by Dawn Huddlestone, Huntsville Doppler.
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Al Kudryk says
Wearing of Face Masks ! I find that many people are not wearing face masks when in public place such as grocery store or when socializing outside of there home. It is a proven fact by health officials that if everyone wore masks, that the Corona Virus could be reduced by 30 Per Cent !!! Countries in Asia, China , Europe, Britain, France and other countries, stress the use of Masks, hand washing and social distancing which show if these practices are used the numbers of infected people are reduced.
By wearing a mask you reduce the projection of the virus to others as well as those wearing masks also are protecting others if the are a symptomatic and may have the virus without knowing it. I wear a mask because I do care for my fellow man but feel those that do not wear a mask may be jeopardizing those people such as health care providers, care givers, our front line providers in stores and our young people. Please !! If you care and want our lives to return to a sense of normalcy, Please wear a Mask for your protection as well as others around you !!! This Virus does not pick and choose who it infects takes. We a people are all in this together and if we all follow proper protocol of prevention we will emerged from this Pandemic.
Please stay Safe and Healthy !!! Be Considerate of others and we will all get through this nightmare together !!!!
Rob Millman says
Thanks for your fulsome update, Karen: I can’t imagine you shirking this position at the time of your appointment; even if you knew what lay ahead. In any case, I’m sure that I speak for most of the Town, when I say that there’s nobody I’d rather have as Mayor during these parlous times.
That said, I have 3 brief queries (when don’t I?):
1) when you mention extending patios onto the “street”, do you mean “street” or “street allowance” i.e. sidewalks and parking spaces? In the former case, I believe that would be a Town decision; in the latter, a District decision;
2) will the 2 transmission towers be pushed to the head of the queue; as the number of citizens to be consulted would be relatively low; and
3) is the mountain bike trail a slam-dunk; given the recent news?
Thank you so much for being so thoughtful in your decisions, and so accessible in your manner.
Diane Norman says
I believe the town should mandate the wearing of masks in stores, restaurants, etc. With more and more tourists coming in July and August this might be a good idea. I agree with the many people who have made comments that the majority of people shopping in town are not wearing masks. IT SHOULD BE MANDATORY1
Jim Sinclair says
I heard that there was a ‘battle’ (read intense argument) at Metro, between two ladies just recently. One, I believe, was a local resident calling out another, presumed to be a visitor to Huntsville.
The local lady was demanding the other to wear a mask. The visitor was denying that she was required to do so and the fight was on! The store manager intervened and somehow settled the matter.
We will, no doubt, see more of these ‘battles’ for the next little while, unless the wearing of masks by shoppers is mandated for ALL the stores. I, for one, think they should be mandated to stop these events from happening!
Just what the answer is, is not up to me, but I would support masks (as I do now). Employees could be exempted as they are working hard and it can encumber the breathing when that work is done, which is not the case for the shopper who can pace themselves.
Note: I am hearing impaired and I find it difficult to converse with an employee when the lip reading aspect is taken away. Hence my thoughts. Anyone ese?
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Ralph Cliffe says
Town council should make it MANDATORY wearing face masks in all stores in Huntsville including public places .
Stores should have the right to refuse entry to any person not wearing a face mask.
Then again it might anger some of the summer residents spending much needed funding.
Council think fast! Only takes one person and the whole town could be infected.
John Gallagher says
I agree with all comments about wearing masks. It is a very simple thing to put on and to protect yourself and those around you. With the influx of visitors coming into our town and not knowing what disease they are bringing with them or what you might get on your clothes and bring home to your love ones, I say it should be made a local bylaw, no mask no service or entry into any store or event. Lets keep this covid-19 and any other infectious disease out of our town.
Randy Spencer says
So Town council step up and lead, make face covering Mandatory for all including business employees it’s not rocket science for god sake. Do your duty to protect
Brenda Begg says
Making mask wearing mandatory is a slippery slope. We must recognize that there are some people who cannot wear a mask (e.g. for medical reasons). I would gently suggest that we be kind and don’t judge those who don’t wear one. With that said, I do agree with mask wearing in places of business or anywhere that we are unable to observe physical distancing. But, this means that the proprietor and employees would also wear a mask and/or face shield. I protect you; you protect me. Research shows that our risk of contracting Covid 19 if wearing a mask, is reduced up to 70%; this research refers to homemade masks. That’s significant! Of course, this is coupled with hand washing and physical distancing. (For those who do wear a mask, it’s important to keep hands off of it once it’s on). For employees or others who find it difficult to wear a mask, a face shield is an option.
Today I went into a place of business in Huntsville; there was a sign on the door requesting to please don a mask prior to entering. So, yes, if I didn’t have on my mask I wouldn’t have been able to enter. I’m ok with that. By the way, the employer of that establishment was wearing a mask. Again, I protect you; you protect me.
randy spencer says
Brenda I agree with what you are saying but when i see people with no masks on in crowded spaces it creates very tense situation I have seen this in peoples eyes. So if we mandate the use of masks we should all be understanding (wishful thinking) that there are some with conditions that make wearing one an issue . Lets hope we can get threw this as my Grandpa would always say “In One Piece”
Evert McIlwain says
Mayor Terziano – I want to protect you and I want you to protect me. Please make masks mandatory in businesses and places where distancing is not possible. The science is now saying masked reduces the spread and protects lives. Please stop sitting on the fence as a politician. Put our health first and not the economy. If there are increased outbreaks stores and businesses won’t be able to stay open. So mask our community and keep the economy going, keep people healthy and save lives.
Evert McIlwain says
For those who say they can’t wear a mask for medical reasons- wear a face shield. It’s that simple