Local Abbatoirs in danger of closing - South Frontenac Council report

Wilma Kenny | Sep 20, 2019

Last Council meeting, Mayor Vandewal circulated a letter from local agriculture and farming community members that outlined their concerns about local abattoirs becoming overburdened with unnecessary rules and legislation that restricts them from carrying on their businesses efficiently. (Some of the regulations and required paperwork are designed to address the operation of massive province-wide processing plants.)  Locally there are three small operations in jeopardy of closing, one in Frontenac County, and one in each of our neighbouring counties. It is feared that this could damage small family farms and the ‘eat local’ food movement by greatly reducing the availability of locally grown meat.

Council agreed with Deputy Mayor Sleeth’s notice of motion to support the agricultural community by petitioning the provincial government to review the current rules and regulations and consult with the Beef Farmers of Ontario, Federation of Agriculture and the National Farmers Union to develop a more common sense approach that will keep the local food movement and meat production a viable part of rural communities.   

Centennial Dog Park Enhancements

Since its opening in 2018 the off-leash dog park in Centennial Park Harrowsmith has proven to be popular and well used by local residents and visitors to the Township. Additional funds had been set aside in the 2019 budget to further enhancement the park and improve accessibility. Council agreed to release the hold on $10,000 to install a crushed stone walkway to the park, with directional signage, and to add metal benches inside the park. During 2019 budget discussions, Council had been supportive of the walkway but felt that the community should be funding other amenities such as a waste bag station, watering dish station and a covered area.

Several Very Successful Recent Events

Councillor Sutherland said the Arena’s ice opening day was well organized and attended, Deputy Mayor thanked Public Works staff for the recent improvements to the Shipyard boat launch in Storrington, and Mayor Vandewal said that both the Open Farms and last week’s ‘Home Grown’ festival had been extremely popular, attracting a large number of both local and Kingston area visitors.

Meeting Room Changes

Staff have been moving the furniture! There’s a new staff table facing the horseshoe, and a podium slightly to one side for presenters.

We’re telling you all this, because there’s not a lot more to say:  September 17, 2019 SF Council meeting may well have set a new record for its brevity, coming in at only 15 minutes…