Fall Has Arrived
Fall has arrived and so has the 2018 Municipal Elections. I myself, as well as four other members of Council were acclaimed. Two new Councillors were elected. Peter Ypma in Ward 2 and Craig Gillis in Ward 6. I look forward to working with you over the next four years.
This fall we have had more rain than normal, therefore delaying some fo the corn and soybeans being harvested, but I am sure crops will be eventually harvested and fall tillage compelted. The wet weather has made most of our gravel roads somewhat a challenge to maintain. Once the wet weather stops I am sure the roads department will do their best to bring our roads back to where they should be.
Council will soon be starting to prepare the 2019 Budget. The budget is to me, the most challenging item that Council does every year. I have learned that trying to maintain services and keep the tax increase to a minimum is not as easy as it seems. It has been brought to my attention numerous times by South-West Oxford residents that they would like services maintained or increased and their taxes maintained or decreased. This adventure is hard to do, but I believe Council does a pretty good job of trying to achieve this.
As Christmas nears, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Enjoy the season with family and friends.
- Councillor George Way
Ward 4 Update
It's been quite some time since I last wrote, and a lot of things have occurred in Ward 4. The new playground equipment was installed in Folden’s, and since the installation there has been a great amount of use. Families within the Township and from outside the Township have been using the facilities, and the comments from users are very positive. Congratulations to the “Park and Rec” Committee on a very successful project!
The Beachville District Museum is in the process of hiring a new curator. The position was posted and 122 applications were received. The hiring committee has narrowed the number of applications down to 11, and the interviews are to begin in late February.
At the upcoming Council Meeting on February 20th, Council will interview 9 applicants who have submitted their names to fill the vacancy in Ward 1, after the sudden and unexpected passing of Councillor D. Anne VanHoucke. Anne was a veteran Councillor, not afraid to voice her opinion. She will be missed very much, RIP Anne!
In September of 2017, SWOX hired Julie Forth to be our new Clerk, and in January of 2018 Nicole Chambers was hired as our new Office Administrative Assistant. Both Julie and Nicole are settling in well, and I encourage everyone to stop in and welcome them to the Township.
That’s all for now, enjoy the rest of our winter and I will talk to you in the spring.
George Way
Councillor Way's December 2016 Blog
Here we are in the middle of December and three things come to my mind.
First, the winter season has begun. Second, Christmas is fast approaching. Third, the year 2016 is coming to an end.
The snow and colder weather are definitely here. Due to the deep snow in the fields, the daily walks with the dog are a lot more difficult. We now get in the truch and drive into town and walk the sidewalks of Ingersoll.
Christmas will be here very quickly, but I can safely say that I am ready. The shopping is complete, and the extra food has been purchased. The candy dishes have been put out and filled, Christmas cards have been mailed, and the gathering of friends and family has started.
As the year 2016 is winding down, it's time to reflect back and think of many different things. I think of the accomplishments that we have achieved. Painting the garage, the yard work that has been completed and BBQs with friends and family. Road trips in the old car and holidays with family and friends; all good memories.
It is also time to remmber the family members, friends and neighbours that we lost in 2016, gone but not forgotten.
Enjoy the winter season, drive safe and see you in the spring.
October 2016 - Ward 4 Update - Councillor George Way
If you were to look at the Calendar, Fall won't officially arrive for three more days. But if you were to take a drive throughout the Township, you will see things that us summer is over.
First, school buses are once again travelling up and down the roads, meaning the summer is over and the kids are back in school. Secondly, farmers are bust in the fields taking off corn silage. To me, taking off corn silage is a farm task which is done in early fall.
There is one more event that happens this time of year, telling me that suimmer is over and that is closing the swimming pool. I closed my pool today, and in 21 years of closing the pool, this is the first time closing it when the humidex temperature was in the low 30 degrees celsius range. It just didn't seem right, but anyway, the pool is once again closed.
The road construction projects in the Township are almost complete. Dodge Line north has been repaved as well as Duffy Line between Union Road and Salford Road. The third paving project, Karn Road, west of Church Line to the Township limits is almost complete and should be completed by the end of September.
It has been one full year since SWOX has transitioned to a 6 day garbage pickup/recycling collection. In the beginning there were a few problems, but overall, I think the process has been well received. I personally think the 6 day cycle is awesome and maybe if we all work at it, then the rest of the municipalities will eventually switch to a 6 day cycle as well.
Enjoy the Fall Season, and Take Care
George Way
April 2016 - Ward 4 Update - Councillor George Way
With winter behind us, I think it is safe to say, Spring is here. Farmers are busy in the fields preparing for another crop to be planted. It’s the end of April and I have already cut my lawn once, and opened the pool…just waiting for the warm weather to arrive.
At the Beachville District Museum, the Beachville Parks and Recreation Committee had another successful Easter egg hunt, with approximately 200 people attending. The weather was good, and the property committee had done a wonderful job picking up sticks and preparing the grounds.
The new Playground Equipment Committee in Folden’s had a very successful “Mom to Mom” sale at the Columbo Club in Beachville. Just over $1,000.00 was raised to help cover the committee’s 25% share of the cost of the new playground equipment to be installed in the park. Their next fundraising event will be a Family Fun Day on June 4th, 2016. This event will be from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. for the planned activities, and a BBQ from 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. If you haven’t any plans for that Saturday in June, please stop by and enjoy a BBQ’d hot dog or hamburger and take part in some of the activities that will be going on.
T-Ball will be offered again this year in the Ball Park in Folden’s. If you have children between the ages of 4 years to 8 years and would like to let them involved you can contact Mitch Kirby at 519-423-6072 and he will be happy to provide you with the details.
That’s all for now. Take care and have a safe summer.
Talk to you later!
Share your ideas with Councillor Way
Phone: (519)-485-0140
E-mail: ward4@swox.org
January 2016 Ward 4 Update - Councillor George Way
2016 has arrived and having said that, I hope that everyone had a good Christmas and a Happy New Year!
With December in the past, to me, winter is half done. Not only is December gone, it was the warm temperatures and no snow that made it hard to believe that it was actually December. I'm sure January and February will be different weather wise and we will be back to reality; shoveling snow, cold weather and days when driving conditions will not be good.
As for events in the Township, well in Ward 4, the West Oxford Hall Board and Parks and Recreation Board, plans are in the works of having playground equipment installed in the Park in Foldens. A Committee has been formed, prices have been received, and a delegation will be making a presentation to Council in January, hoping to get support from SWOX Council and applying to Trillium for a Grant as well. A bottle drive, bake sale, BBQ, and car wash are fundraising events that will take place in 2016. Support from the community and surrounding area is very strong, with lots of new volunteers willing to help, which is good to have when a project of this nature takes place.
At the Beachville District Museum the winter season is our slow season when it comes to visitors. The number of visitors is always less this time of year, which is okay, because that enables staff to do small maintenance projects. If you have not been to the museum lately, then I ask that you put it on your "bucket list" of places to visit in 2016.
The months of January and February are the "Annual General Meeting" months for all Hall, Park, Recreation, and Cemetery Committees and Boards in the Township. All of these boards could use some new members. So, if you want to become part of your local board, please feel free to attend the Annual General Meeting and volunteer to sit on the executive or just become a volunteer to help with the social events and fundraising events for these boards. New people bring new ideas!
Have a great winter and will talk to you again in the Spring.
Share your ideas with Councillor Way
Phone: (519)-485-0140
E-mail: ward4@swox.org
September 2016 Ward 4 Update - Councillor George Way
Farmers are in the fields harvesting the crops. Both Township and County roads have an increased use of farm equipment. Farm equipment seems to be getting bigger with every new season. When driving on roads and approaching farm equipment, slow down, share the road, and have patience.
Taking the crops off also means an increase in wildlife sightings. Deer will be more visible and statistics tell us that deer and motor vehicle collisions are higher during this time of year. Drive with extra caution.
New this fall was the change to our garbage and recycling program. A new 6 day cycle was introduced. One truck will pick up garbage and recycling at the same time. We no longer have to separate our recyclable material. It may seem confusing at first, but I'm positive that the residents of SWOX will adjust. That's all for now, Have a great fall!
Share your ideas with Councillor Way
Phone: (519)-485-0140
E-mail: ward4@swox.org