1. Healthcare

People Serving People
THE SARNIA CITIZEN
WINTER 2015
W I N TCitizen
ER 201
The Sarnia
is4published and printed by City staff.
City Hall
255 Christina St. N
Sarnia, ON N7T 7N2
519 332-0330
519 332-2664 TTY
8:30a.m. - 5:00p.m.
www.sarnia.ca
The Sarnia Citizen is published and printed by City staff.
SARNIA CITY COUNCIL, 2014-2018
*Photo credit for group shot and head shots: Lou Sprenger
MAYOR: Mike Bradley
(H) 519-336-8092
(W) 519-332-0330
ext. 3312
[email protected]
City Councillors
“Many thanks” to our Centennial
Celebration Committee Volunteers
for a special year of honouring
and celebrating our City!
City / County Councillors
Mike Kelch
(H) 519-491-2245
(W) 519-339-4003
[email protected]
Dave Boushy
(H) 519-542-3109
[email protected]
Brian White
(W) 519-464-2585
[email protected]
Bev MacDougall
(H) 519-344-0768
(W) 519-344-5543
[email protected]
Cindy Scholten
(H) 519 337-1203
[email protected]
Anne Marie Gillis
(H) 519 542-9728
[email protected]
Matt Mitro
(H) 519-332-6368
(W) 519-336-0114
(C) 519 464-6621
[email protected]
Andy Bruziewicz
(W) 519-332-2639
[email protected]
Council Meeting Dates
January 19
February 9
March 2
March 23
April 13
May 4
May 25
June 22
July 20
August 10 (tentative)
September 14
October 5
Council Agendas for regular meetings are available on the Friday prior to the
meeting in the City Clerk’s Department, 2nd floor of City Hall, and at
www.sarnia.ca.
Council Meetings are televised on Cogeco live at 4:00 p.m. on Council days,
as well as additional times advertised on Cogeco.
If you would like to advertise in
this space and help cover the
cost of this newsletter, please
contact our Newsletter
Committee at
[email protected] or call
519-332-0330, extension 3306
We offer FREE English and Math
tutoring for children and adults.
Donate funds, or volunteer your time.
180 N. College Ave.
Room 103
Sarnia, ON N7T 7X2
519-332-4876
www.readsarnia.org
A Place to Grow!
A LOOK BACK
Mayor James S. Symington played
an important role in the construction
of the St. Clair River Railroad Tunnel.
Born in rural Lambton County, Symington moved to Sarnia as a boy and
later became a successful
banker and businessman.
When he was elected the
municipality’s 18th mayor
in
1888,
Symington
worked quickly to remove
barriers standing in the
way of the tunnel project.
Preliminary work had started on the
tunnel before he took office but Mayor
Symington helped speed the job along
by convincing council to permanently
close a handful of streets in the south
end. Drilling got underway in earnest
during his second term in office, creating an economic boom. His administration also approved the construction of
several grain warehouses and also focused on stamping out gambling by
ordering police raids at suspected
gambling houses.
Mayor Symington did not seek a third
term, deciding instead to spend more
time with his growing family.
Submitted by Dan McCaffery, a local
historian, who has given Sarnians a
view to their past through his feature
in the Sarnia Observer.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Big Brothers Big Sisters
of
SarniaLambton
provides
quality guidance in the
development of life
skills to the children of
our community through companionship
with adult volunteers. They offer a variety of mentoring programs that meet
a range of needs, including individual
and group mentoring. These mentoring roles range from volunteering your
time with a child from one hour a week
in a school program to three to four
hours a week in one of our community
based programs as a Big Brother or
Big Sister to a child. Studies show
that mentoring helps kids stay in
school, avoid risky behavior and experience first-hand the importance of
helping others in the community. Find
out how you can get started. Call Big
Brothers Big Sisters of Sarnia-Lambton
at 519-336-0460 and start something
BIG!
If you would like your non-profit agency or organization featured in the
Community Spotlight section of the
newsletter, please provide a submission of 200 words or less to
[email protected] for consideration.
PROPERTY TAXES
JOIN THE FUN!
In November 2014 all pre-authorized
payment amounts were recalculated.
The recalculated amount has been provided on your 2014 Final Tax Bill. For
further information, please e-mail
[email protected] or contact our Customer Service team at 519-332-0330
ext. 3238.
Interested in enrolling in our convenient monthly or installment due
date pre-authorized payment plan?
For details, please visit www.sarnia.ca,
or contact our Customer Service Team.
March Break Skating is running this year at Clearwater Arena March 16thMarch 20th, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cost is $2 a skater.
Easter in the Park will take place at the Seaway Kiwanis Animal Farm on Saturday, April 4th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All activities are free and include
an Easter egg hunt, crafts, entertainment, inflatables, train rides and much
more!
Stay tuned for Summer Registration dates for swim lessons, Camp Saredaca, Parks Programs, and Specialty Camps. Our summer brochure will be delivered to households in mid-May, and a full listing will also be available on our
website.
Our 20th Annual Kids Funfest will be held on Saturday June 13th from 10:00
a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Clearwater Park – Outdoor Grounds.
Enjoy over 40 nights of free entertainment with our 26th Annual Waterfront
Concert Series at the Canatara Park Bandshell - June 3rd to August 20th, 2015.
Show Time: 7:00 p.m.
The Strangway Centre (for adults) offers a wide range of year-round leisure,
educational and social activities, as well as services such as information referrals, a cafe, free monthly blood pressure clinics, and summer and winter Instructional Programs. For more information, visit the centre at 260 East Street
North, call 519-332-0656, or email [email protected].
FREE BLUE BINS
New Sarnia residents owning a single
family home, and first time home buyers can receive a free blue box from
the City. New residents will be requested to complete a brief survey
(with a chance to win a $100 gift card)
upon receiving their blue box. Contact
the Public Works Department at 519344-1932 for more information.
NEW RESIDENT SURVEY
Have you moved to Sarnia since
January 1, 2012? A brief survey for
those who have relocated to Sarnia
since January 1, 2012 has been created by the Sarnia-Lambton Economic
Partnership to fine tune new resident
attraction campaigns. Your feedback is
valued, and once the survey is completed, you will be entered to win a
$100
gift
card.
https://
www.surveymonkey.com/s/VG222B5.
Closing date is February 28, 2015, and
any questions can be directed to Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership Toll
Free:1-800-972-7642,
or
www.sarnialambton.on.ca.
DID YOU KNOW?
In March 2014, the City of
Sarnia and Transport Canada completed the divestiture of the Sarnia Harbour, transferring ownership and responsibility for the operation of the
Harbour over to the City. The Sarnia
H a r b o u r
w e b s i t e
(www.sarniaharbour.com) was recently launched, and includes general information, rates & fees, maps, a photo
gallery, and contact information.
The City’s By-law functions of Parking
Enforcement, Animal Control, and
Property Standards have been consolidated into the “NEW” By-Law Enforcement Division. The division now
runs completely out of the Parking Authority Building at 226 Wellington
Street.
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership Association recently unveiled a
new community brand: “Discoveries
that Matter” created through the research and funding of 12 groups
throughout Lambton County. It is intended to bring the community together with a common positive message.
For additional information please visit
www.discoveriesthatmatter.ca, or contact the Sarnia-Lambton Economic
Partnership.
ACCESSIBILITY UPDATE
$ SAVING ENERGY TIPS
Snow Angels—Please remember
your neighbours who may be elderly
or disabled and unable to clear their
driveways or leave their homes due
to the snow. The Sarnia Accessibility
Advisory Committee (SAAC) would
like to encourage residents to offer
assistance to neighbours in need. Also please help by keeping your sidewalks clear of ice and snow. This will
allow your neighbours access to the
street, and prevent isolation.
2014 Accessibility Awards—The
City of Sarnia Accessibility Awards
recognize local businesses and individuals that have excelled in promoting an inclusive environment and
shopping experience for people with
disabilities. The SAAC partnered with
the Breaking Barriers to Business
program and asked the community
for nominations.
The 2014 Accessibility Award Winners
were:
Dollar Tree – Prelude to Excellence
(large business)
St. Clair Auto Repair – Prelude to
Excellence (small business)
The Beer Store (Confederation
Street) – Exceptional Leadership in
Customer Service
Bluewater Cheer – Creating Opportunity for an Accessible Community
Galaxy Theatres – Exceptional Accessible Physical Environment
Imperial Theatre and Sunset Golf
Course – Going Above and Beyond
Award
All of these businesses offer exceptional customer service and create an
environment that encourages autonomy and independence for people with
disabilities.
CARS:
1) Drive at a steady pace for optimum
fuel economy.
2) Avoid idling.
3) Inflate your tires to recommended
pressure, your car will run more efficiently. Check the pressure regularly (ie: once a month).
4) Use regular fuel, high octane is not
always necessary.
5) Get rid of excess weight in the
trunk of your car, this will improve
mileage.
HOME:
1) Seal around window and sleeve air
conditioners.
2) Check attic insulation (should be
more than 2 inches).
3) Get furnace tune-up, change filters.
4) When away for a few days, set
thermostat to a lower temperature.
This information was provided by the
Sarnia Environmental Advisory
Committee.
Want to *WIN* a $100 Lambton Mall Gift Certificate? Take
our quick Readership Survey by
February 28, 2015 and have your
name entered in the draw!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s
/2TX2JGZ
If you require a hard copy of our
survey, please contact our Newsletter
Committee
at
[email protected] or 519-332-
2015 DOG TAGS
Dog tags can be purchased at Sarnia
City Hall first floor Customer Service
Department, the Humane Society, and
local Veterinary Offices until March
31st of each year. Please bring up-todate vaccination records.
After March 31st, tags can only be purchased at City Hall Customer Service
and the Humane Society.
2015
Dog
License
Fees
(Purchased before March 31)
 Spayed or Neutered Dog - $30.00
 Unaltered dog (not spayed or neutered) - $75.00
 Dangerous Dog (as designated by
the City) - $350.00
(Purchased after March 31)
 Spayed or Neutered Dog - $55.00
 Unaltered dog (not spayed or neutered) - $100.00
 Dangerous Dog (as designated by
the City) - $375.00
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION?
Please contact our Newsletter Committee at [email protected] or
519-332-0330 ext. 3306.