- by Anne Finlay-Stewart, Editor

Not one but two masked security guards greeted me at City Hall tonight - opened the door, asked me who I was.  Then we signed a screening sheet with a disinfected pen.  I guess this was for tracing after the fact, because I left it upside down on the table with the rest.

First up was Savanna Myers, Grey County Director of Economic Development and Tourism and Culture presenting the county's  Resiliency and Recovery Plan. Some highlights included supports particularly for the small and medium-sized businesses that make up 70% of our business, a GIS map of what is open and available in the region and a Grey County Outdoor Activity Map to help residents find some  spaces to recreate on the land or water. 

Although the area has gone from one of the lowest unemployment rates in the province a year ago at 2% to 9.3% during the pandemic.  Connect2Jobs.ca is a site updated twice a day with regional job listings, including 267 (as of this evening) in Owen Sound, from veterinarians and carpenters to truck drivers, cooks, PSWs and fisheries technicians.

• With booking revenue up to near normal levels with the re-opening of the sports and recreation facilities, our "Covid Deficit" is estimated at about $520K, and the City looks forward to learning about funding for public transit from the $2 billion announced for that purpose by the province today.

• Drive-in movies and live concerts were not approved without debate because of the relatively small number of people who can attend due to Covid restrictions for the cost to the City. The motion was approved 7-2.

• The City plans to invest in a marketing plan to attract those who are able to "work from home" and looking to get out of congested urban areas.

• Council approved a contract to E.C. King Contracting, the lowest compliant bid received at $389,676.50, for asphalt resurfacing work on several city roads and the Mile Drive in Harrison Park.

• The City has received an offer for a 1.06 acre lot in the industrial zone - it is now being declared vacant and offered for sale.

(FYI the going rate is $30K an acre).

• The City has approved Inglenook Creche Childcare Centre's site plan at the former St. Thomas' Church

• Council approved a double facade grant for 856 2nd Ave. East.without discussion.

• Action should start soon on remediating and renewing the site of a devastating arson in 2018 on 2nd Ave. East north of 10th St.

Two motions concerning anti-racism and a national emancipation day, moved by Councillor Merton, were passed.