Elgin County – 2023 Reflections to 2024 Intentions by Ed Ketchabaw, 2024 Warden 2023 will for me be remembered as a year of many challenges and also as a year of many successful outcomes we can collectively continue to build upon. I am grateful to serve alongside a diligent council and a dedicated professional staff, who collaboratively persevered to meet the challenges and to find innovative solutions to improve the delivery of municipal services while maintaining investments in County infrastructure. At the end of the day, our goal is and has always been to improve the quality of life for residents and showcase Elgin County as a desirable destination. Consider the following brief retrospective of some of Elgin’s more noticeable achievements of 2023: • Our first-ever roundabout at the intersection of Elm and Centennial was completed and opened early last summer. This investment provides a safer alternative to improve traffic flow for vehicles and pedestrians in the area. • The Community Paramedicine Program, funded entirely by the province, was launched last March to provide high-quality care for residents living in senior housing and retirement homes while also offering accessible home-based care for seniors. By securing provincial funding, an additional bladder scanner was purchased for Elgin Manner to provide top-notch care for our residents while relieving pressure on local hospitals.
• A ten-kilometre stretch of Sunset Drive was resurfaced with wider cycling lanes and enhanced accessibility improvements at intersections. • Phase One of the redevelopment of Terrace Lodge was completed this past spring and is now being enjoyed by residents while renovations continue on the rest of the structure. • Elgin County Tourism received funding through the Tourism Relief Fund to revamp the Savour Elgin campaign promoting culinary and agri-tourism. • By implementing new technology, the modernization of the Financial Services Department was completed to streamline payroll processes for all Elgin County employees, and scheduling capability was improved across Elgin’s three Long Term Care Homes. • The migration of Elgin County Archives to a digital data- base is ongoing and will preserve Elgin’s treasures for future generations. • The Warden’s Charity Golf Tournament raised $19,000 for local charities promoting inclusivity and accessibility. • Renovations to Elgin’s Administration Office to improve lighting and accessibility continue, with the new north elevator opened in November to afford greater accessibility to our facility. • A Rural Economic Development Grant was received to update Elgin County’s website to improve integration for all departments and accessibility for users.
Healthy eating includes fresh local meats.
Healthy eating starts local!
Briwood also has a great selection of pet foods as well as wild bird seed.
519-633-9691 1030 Talbot Street St. Thomas
Mon – Fri 8am 8pm Weekends 8am - 6pm Proudly serving fresh and local in Elgin County for over 30 years! Fresh Local Chicken, Beef and Pork
Locally Owned and Operated
519 631-5450 StThomasRentAll.com
Page 4 Real Living • Winter 2024
To advertise here, please contact Geoff@villagerpublications.com
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs