Warden’s reception

Wilma Kenny | Dec 18, 2019

Warden Ron Higgins held his 2019 wine and cheese reception at the Grace Centre in Sydenham last Thursday.

With special thanks to the Frontenac County staff and his fellow County Councillors, Higgins ended his review of the year with the admonition: “We must stay united as a county, and continue to work with the other counties of eastern Ontario as we move into the future.”

Incoming 2020 Warden Frances Smith praised Higgins as “the person who’s willing to ask the tough questions.” Referring to her new job as Warden, she quipped: “I’ve learned that at budget times, you have to separate the two Rons!” (Vandewal and Higgins).

Warden Higgins then introduced Neil Allan, Chair of the Frontenac Accessibility Committee, to present the Day of Persons with Disabilities Access Award. Allan announced that the award had been well earned this year by Southern Frontenac Community Services for their work to complete making both levels of Grace Hall fully accessible and barrier-free.

He listed the wide, paved pathway into and around the newly-created memorial garden, and the ramp system that now provides safe access to both the garden path, and the lower level of the hall, where the Adult Day Program is located. As well, the interior lift connecting the two levels of the hall has been completely rebuilt, and now operates reliably.

Susan Ward-Moser, SFCS Board Chair accepted the reward (a certificate and a plate on the plaque listing previous award winners). She said that there had been many challenges in adapting the over 150-year old building to modern use.

Ward-Moser spoke briefly of the many programs that are currently available at Grace Hall, all with the objective of making it more comfortable for seniors to remain in their homes and participate in the community. She added that the hall is also an emergency evacuation centre for the area.