Minutes of the Madoc & District Chamber of Commerce
Tuesday, February 15th, 2005
Madoc Public Library & Cultural Centre
1. Call to order by Rob Price, Vice President
2. Introductions: Rob Price, Vice President
Judy Smith, Treasurer
Ellen Wilson, Secretary
Jim Bakker, Events Co-ordinator
Jeff Danielis, Intern with Comfort Country
Patricia Wiggins
Mary Andrews, Madoc Farmers Market
Cliff Andrews, Madoc Farmers Market
Marie Hyde
Tom Deline, Municipal Reeve
Steve Thrower
Mohamedali Mohamed
Larry Shaw
Joanne Bacon
Hilda Wilson
Jean McDonnell
3. Agenda - Moved by Judy Smith & seconded by Larry Shaw that the
agenda be approved. Carried.
4. Minutes of the January 18th meeting - Moved by Jim Bakker & seconded
by Marie Hyde that the minutes be approved as written. Carried
5. Guests - Reeve Tom Deline was welcomed and rather than a formal
presentation, Tom requested to take part in the discussions that were
listed on the agenda.
6. Business arising from minutes - none.
7. & 8. Correspondence - i. A copy of the Madoc Maple Fest letter
that was sent to the local businesses requesting their support for
this event again this year. Those who wish to participate please
contact Mike Sniderhan at 613-473-0990. All profits go to the Madoc
Medical Board.
ii. Information about
"Beyond City Lights" a rural tourism conference to be held in Port
Perry, April 19th. Registration fee is $53.50. Moved by Judy Smith
and seconded by Ellen Wilson that Jim Bakker attend on behalf of the
Chamber. Carried. Rob Price is going on behalf of Community Futures,
Bancroft and Jim will travel with him.
iii. Community Care for
Central Hastings is holding a fund raiser on April 2nd, at the Community
Hall in Eldorado.
9. Financial Report - Bank Balance $2247.82. There are 48 paid members
to date.
10. Old Business - none
11. Main Street Initiative - On February 9th, a presentation was held
at the Stirling theatre sponsored by Bonnie O'Neill of the Rural
Development Branch of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs. The
purpose of the meeting was to introduce the idea of a downtown
revitalization project under the umbrella of Comfort Country, that
would comprise the municipalities of Madoc, Stirling, Marmora and
Tweed. Francois Varin, of Rue Principales out of the province of
Quebec, presented his foundation's model and how it has been working in
Quebec. Rue Pricipales Foundation will provide consultation services to
the Rural Development Branch. The objective of the project will be 1.
Develop a vision of future Development. 2. Instill a sense of local
pride, a sense of belonging. 3. Involvement and empowerment of the
citizens to participate. 4. Set forth strategies and action plans. 5.
Target realistic and feasible actions. The process will involve the
establishment in each community of a management committee that involves
representation from business groups, elected officials, social &
cultural groups, interested residents, economic dev't groups etc. and
the hiring of a co-ordinator to work between the management committees
of the four municipalities. The main goal of the project is to
reinforce the dynamics, vitality and fulfill the needs of the citizens
of each community. Rue Principales will teach us the tools to achieve
this. Because this is a pilot project, the Ministry will subsidize many
of the costs, however a commitment to finance the hiring of a
co-ordinator must be made by each municipality. To this end, Reeve
Deline asked that a letter from the Chamber be sent to Centre Hastings
council, asking that funds be set aside in the next budget for this
purpose. Moved by Jim Bakker and seconded by Joanne Bacon that the
Madoc and District Chamber of Commerce act as the initial lead in the
establishment of Madoc's management committee and that we begin as soon
as possible to start organizing. Carried. Anyone who wishes to sit on
this committee, please contact Jim Bakker at the Chamber of Commerce.
(473-1616).
12. Comfort Country Business Directory - Volunteers are needed to
provide and edit articles about the community for inclusion in the new
directory. Larry Shaw and Rob Price will assist.
13. O'Hara Mills - A group of interested citizens are in the initial
stages of forming a committee (independent of Quinte Conservation) for
the management of the O'hara Mill complex. They have asked the support
of the Chamber in this matter and Joanne Bacon volunteered to meet with
this committee on behalf of the Chamber.
14. Next Meeting - Tuesday, March 15th, 7:30 pm at the Madoc Library
and Cultural Centre. THIS WILL BE OUR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WITH THE
NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
Before the meeting was adjourned, the issue of the gypsy vendors who
make one or two excursions through town a month was raised. Several
business owners have been harassed by these people. It was suggested by
Tom Deline that Doug Parks, Municipal Clerk, be contacted to determine
what by-laws exist that can be used to control them, and that the OPP be
contacted to enforce these by-laws when necessary.
Tom Deline reminded the Chamber that it is our responsibility to
organize the Village Square. Morley Perry will act as care taker for
the site. The Municipality will be clearing up Deer Creek and
enforcing by-laws to stop the dumping of garbage along the creek. Mr.
Deline then outlined some of the development which will be occurring in
the area -- four acres for development behind the fire hall, the Pine
Point housing development, Quarry Hollow condominium project is
proceeding, sidewalk and road repairs and improvements.
15. Meeting Adjourned.
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