Rosseau Waterfront & Village Project:
Work on an implementation plan is currently underway by our Consultants, Marshall, Macklin, Monaghan. This work involves all of the technical parts of the project such as surveying, engineering, environmental assessment and construction and site plans. All of this work must be done before a shovel can be put to the ground and it is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Council will be establishing the Rosseau Improvement Association (RIA) which will be providing input at various stages of this work.

The Implementation Plan will cost $232,000 and funding has been received from FedNor for 50% of this cost. The total project costs, are only estimates at this time, but are expected to be in excess of $2.5 million. The Township has been very fortunate to receive funding approval from SuperBuild in the amount of $517,000 and from Northern Ontario Heritage Fund in the amount of $1.235 million.

Rosseau Nursing Station:
Approval for a Nurse Practitioner Demonstration Project in Rosseau was received from the Ministry of Health in January, 2003 and since that time the West Parry Sound Health Centre and the Township have been working at a hectic pace to get a temporary structure located and serviced and to provide staffing, and materials and equipment for operations.

This facility should be fully operational by this summer and will provide Primary health care service to the Rosseau Community. Emergency Room service will continue to be provided by the West Parry Sound Health Centre in Parry Sound.

Seguin council would like to say a big "Thank You" to the members of the Rosseau Nursing Station Task Force . Without the work of these members of the community and the support of Norm Miller, M.P.P., this facility would not be a reality.

Community Centres:
The beautiful new ORRVILLE Community Centre was officially opened last October and is available for public and private functions including weddings, anniversaries, dinners and community and family events. Facilities include the Swords Room (seating capacity 59), and the Seguin Room (seating capacity 224) as well as a large, modern kitchen.

The newly renovated FOLEY Activity Centre (seating capacity 60) boasts modern kitchen facilities including new pots and pans, silverware, dishes and is also available for community rentals. The Township has entered into a partnership agreement with the Foley Agricultural Society and Seguin residents are provided special rental rates for use of the Agricultural Society facilities.

The HUMPHREY Community Centre (with a seating capacity of 157) has a newly renovated kitchen, redecorated hall, hardwood floors and a view of the ice surface. The proposed upgrades and renovations of the ROSSEAU Memorial Hall are currently being reviewed by Council, but the facilities remain available for rental at this time.

Satellite Ambulance Base:
On April 7^th, 2003 a satellite Ambulance Station began operating from the Fire Station of the Seguin Fire Services, located at Highway 69 and Horseshoe Lake Road. This service will provide additional ambulance coverage for a 12 hour period, 7 days per week for the southern area of the West Parry Sound District.

The cooperative efforts between the Township of Seguin and the West Parry Sound Ambulance Service, now operated by the Town of Parry Sound, truly enhance the level of ambulance service within Seguin.

Ratepayer Associations:
We urge all Associations to make sure that you have contacted the Township and advised any changes to mailing addresses or contact names so that our information is up to date.

Should any Association be interested in a short presentation on fire prevention or related issues please contact Dave Thompson, Seguin Township Deputy Fire Chief. We understand that the O.P.P., Parry Sound Detachment may also be available for topics related to law enforcement and they can be contacted at 746-4225.

West Nile Virus:
There has been a considerable amount of press coverage over the last several months on the possible threat of West Nile Virus. Dr. Jim Pfaff, Medical Officer of Health for the Muskoka-Parry Sound Health Unit provided Council with a short presentation on this issue and he is urging everyone to use caution and common sense in reducing the threat of this disease. For more information on West Nile Virus you are encouraged to check out the Muskoka-Parry Sound Health Unit website at www.mpshu.on.ca . The public should be aware that it is not feasible for the Township to eliminate all standing water on Township property but efforts will be made to address areas of special concern.

Planning, Development and Environmental Initiatives:

i) Harmonization of Planning along the East Georgian Bay Coast
In response to the Provincial Great Lakes Heritage Coast Project, the Townships of Georgian Bay, Carling, McDougall, Seguin , The Archipelago, the Town of Parry Sound, the District of Muskoka and The Archipelago Area Planning Board have participated in discussions and produced an Issues Paper on the identification of issues facing the Coast and the need to establish a process to address these issues. The challenge for the Coast is to find, not only a balance between development and protection but also to find a vision wherein the Eastern Georgian Bay Community is strengthened.

This initiative is an excellent example of inter municipal participation and cooperation and will hopefully be successful in its goal to ensure the protection of the Coast for generations to come by encouraging good development that recognizes the uniqueness of the Coast and the role of development in the Coast as a whole.

iii) Dark Skies
Seguin Township Planning Staff in conjunction with Muskoka and Area Planners and with permission from the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership and the University of Wisconsin have produced a brochure entitled "A Sensible Waterfront Lighting Guide". This Guide provides tips and recommendations for waterfront lighting to ensure as much as possible the preservation of our Night Sky. Copies are available from the Township of Seguin Municipal office.

Humphrey Community Centre:
"Beat the Heat" at the Humphrey Arena this July! Summer ice rentals are available at the Arena once again this year, from June 29^th to July 25^th. Private rentals ($107.00 per hour including GST) and Public Skating are available at various times during the day or the evenings. Call soon and reserve, as spaces are filling up. For availability information contact Gord Brown Facilities Supervisor at 732-4313 or call the Township of Seguin Municipal Office.

Swim Program:
Our popular Swim Program is back again this year, at both Foley Matheson Park and the Rosseau Beach. Program levels include Aqua Tots, Aqua Quest, Rookie, Ranger and Star as well as a Bronze Medallion Program this year. Registration begins on June 23^rd, 2003 during business hours at the Seguin Municipal Office. Registrations will also be taken on Saturday July 5^th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the beach locations. Program costs are $25.00 per student/session or $50.00 per family/session with sessions running for 4 weeks each. For further information please contact Amanda VanKoughnett, Head Life Guard at the Seguin Municipal Office.

2003 Municipal Election:
The Township of Seguin will once again be using vote by Mail for the upcoming municipal election. This system replaces the traditional polling place method and eliminates the need for advance polls and voting proxies. It improves voter access and increases voter participation.

Election Day is November 10^th, 2003 and nominations for office can be made by completing and filing in the office of the Clerk, nomination papers on the prescribed form. Nomination papers may be filed in person or by an agent (no e-mails or faxes) up to and including September 26^th, 2003 during normal business hours and on Nomination Day, September 26^th, 2003 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. There is a prescribed filing fee for candidates for office, which must accompany the nomination form and must be paid in cash or certified cheque. For further information on the election and qualifications or requirements for running for office, please contact the Clerks Department.

The existing Waste Drop Off Site at Airport Road will be relocated this year, to Islandview Road (former Township of Humphrey Transfer Station). Arrangements for this move are currently being reviewed but the timing has not yet been established.

Roads:
The Township gravel road system continues to be graded and the major gravel roads will have had calcium applied by the Victoria Day weekend. A third grader has been added to our fleet for two months, to assist with these activities. Council has approved the full length gravel application on Stanley House, Jean Marie and Steeles Roads, as well as Turtle Lake Road, Star Lake Road and Nipissing Road (north of Highway 141). Many other roads will receive spot gravelling as needed.

The Rankin Lake Road project commenced in early May with the forestry and utility relocation component. A tender for construction activities is expected to be advertised by the end of June.

The Township Road Needs study is expected to be complete by July and will provide structural assessment information on both roads and bridges in Seguin Township for future planning and reconstruction prioritizing.

Township of Seguin Council - Contact Information

Ward 1 - Councillor Alex Chidley
RR #2, Site 4, Comp. 46,
Parry Sound, Ontario P2A 2W8
(705) 732-2987

Ward 2 - Councillor Doug Graham
RR #3,
Parry Sound, Ontario P2A 2W9
(705) 746-5295

Ward 3 - Councillor Lorne Campbell
RR #2, Box 92,
Parry Sound, Ontario P2A 2W8
(705) 732-1328

Ward 4 - Councillor Joseph Bissonette
Rosseau, Ontario P0C 1J0
(705) 732-4202

Ward 5 - Councillor Joe LaPlante
RR #3, Box 160,
Parry Sound, Ontario P2A 2W9
(705) 732-2683

Ward 6 - Councillor James Swift
Rosseau, Ontario P0C 1J0
(705) 732-2461