Walk a Mile in Her Shoes
Quinte West council heard from Sandy Watson-Moyles, the Executive Director of the Three Oaks Foundation highlighting their second annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event on May 11.
She told those in council chambers on Monday night the city has been very supportive of the agency which supports women and children.
The event raises money for the organization by asking men to don red shoes and walk a mile in the city.
Watson-Moyles says the need is huge.
The organization has to raise 20% of their operating budget.
Watson-Moyles says they have flats or stilettos available in men’s sizes and she hopes the citizens come out in droves to support this initiative.
She was asked if they have transitional housing available in Quinte West, to which she replied they do not but they are hoping to in the future. Three Oaks does have an eight unit transitional building in Belleville.
Quinte Museum of Natural History
A funding initiative is underway, but the group backing the Quinte Museum of Natural History really needs the City of Quinte West’s support to really get this project off the ground.
Council heard on Monday night from Alanna Jones; the Executive Director, Suzanne Andrews; Board Chair, Dug Stevenson and Peter May, Board of Directors about the 30,000 square foot project which will see a world-class, modern and technology-driven museum right here in their own backyard.
A scaled rendering of the Quinte Museum of Natural History.
The group has been fundraising since 2013 and is looking at a total cost of $15 million to get this museum renovated and open to the public. That price tag also includes the sale of the Researching Casting building and property to the museum.
The museum will take visitors through the origins to life to the diversity in Ontario and how we got here.
The museum will be linked to the marina via the waterfront trail.
Andrews said they need the funds by 2024, but if they can get the funding sooner then they can build sooner.
Quinte West seeking to reduce plastic bottle use
A Quinte West councillor’s motion to see the municipality take steps towards reducing or eliminating the use of bottled water passed on Monday night during their regular council meeting.
Councillor Terry Cassidy, who was seeking an outright ban on plastic water bottles, saw an amended motion promote the use of municipal drinking water and the reduction of plastic.
He said it is the prudent way to go forward and show some leadership.
Deputy Mayor Jim Alyea told those in council chambers he struggles with this motion because it doesn’t take into consideration the plastic wrapping or containers that are also used in our daily lives and instead focuses strictly on water bottles.
Councillor Al DeWitt said the city has already been encouraging people to use reusable water bottles via water buggies and refill stations that are available.
Cassidy said by approving the motion it is showing that the municipality is doing something positive in the fight against climate change and reducing green house gas emissions and unnecessary waste.
