Happy January/February, Komoka-Kilworth Happy New Year to you all, and cheers to a healthy and safe 2026.
School bus safety and the safety of the children in our community is something we all need to be more aware of. A few years back, it came to my attention that in a 2-week period alone, seven cars passed school buses with flashing lights just in the Kilworth area. Not accept- able! And then, as I am sure you are all aware, there was a sad and tragic death not far from our community. This month, I have teamed up with a lo- cal resident, Lauren Preston, from the “No Excuses Bus Safety Campaign,” to help share their message. The campaign carries a clear and urgent message: No excuses. It’s the law to stop from both directions when kids are getting on or off a school bus unless there is a median (barrier) in the road. Make the stop. Save a life. The “No Excuses” campaign was created in response to grow- ing concerns about driver behaviour around school buses and the risks this poses to children in our community. The organizing committee, together with law enforcement, educational organi- zations, parents, neighbours, and local organizations, has come together to encourage safer driving habits and raise awareness. “This campaign is about accountability,” said Andrea Jones, committee chair. “We all share the road, and we all share the responsibility to keep children safe. When those red lights flash, you stop. There are no excuses.” The “No Excuses” campaign features public awareness materi- als, such as billboards, rink boards, social media graphics, and Sue Cates Councillor Ward 4 Komoka Kilworth cates@middlesexcentre.ca www.middlesexcentre.ca Student Speakers Invited to Enter Optimist Contest Some skills, like those involved with public speaking, last a lifetime. Getting comfortable talking in front of a group sharpens communication, improves research skills, develops critical thinking and is great for networking with people who might become friends, mentors or clients. The fear of public speaking is Glossophobia. It’s quite common and experts agree the best cure is preparation and practise. With that in mind, the Optimist Club of Komoka-Kilworth invites students to gain speaking experience and valuable feedback by entering their 2026 speaking contest. It’s also an opportunity to compete with other young people to win a college scholarship. The 2026 Optimist International Oratorical Contest is open to students under the age of nineteen (as of October first, 2025) who have not yet completed high school. There’s no minimum age. Participants must research, write and deliver a five-minute speech to judges from the Komoka-Kilworth Optimists. The topic: The Moment I Realized I Belong – My Definition of Community.
print ads. It was created through the generosity and teamwork of community members, including adHOME Creative, who do- nated their time to design and produce the artwork so the mes- sage could be shared as widely as possible. The public awareness materials are available to schools, mu- nicipalities, businesses, and residents who want to help spread the message and support safer roads throughout the region. To access free campaign materials or learn more about getting involved, please reach out to the committee. Together, we can prevent another tragedy. No excuses. Make the stop. Save a life. Contact: Lauren Preston, Bus Safety Committee, OLOLBusSafety@gmail.com Please remember that a little extra care helps keep our com- munity safe and comfortable for everyone. Thank you for doing your part! As always, feel free to reach out to me with your questions and other municipal concerns. Thank you for being kind and for supporting local.
Sue
Club members will offer feedback and coaching over eight sessions on Thursdays from 6:30-8 pm beginning January 8. Attendance is mandatory for at least six of the sessions in the Komoka Public Library, Wellness Centre. One Tunks Lane, Komoka. Final speeches will be delivered February 26, at 6 pm. Everyone who speaks will receive a certificate for taking part. In addition to the possibility of moving on to compete for a scholarship, there are local prizes of $200 for first place and $150 for second place. Refreshments will be provided to participants. First conducted in 1928, this contest is one of the most popular Optimist International programs. Students from more than twenty countries and almost 2,000 Optimist clubs compete at the local level. Canada has about 360 Optimist clubs, second only to the United States where there are 1200. The Komoka- Kilworth chapter celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022. The Oratorical Contest is central to Optimist International’s goal of “Bringing Out the Best in Youth” by providing tangible opportunities for growth and recognition. To register for the 2026 Optimist International Oratorical Contest, send an email and any questions to kkoptimists@gmail.com.
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KKD Villager Jan/Feb 2026
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