MEDIA RELEASE                                        

BANCROFT COUNCIL APPOINTS NEW CAO/CLERK

Bancroft Council has unanimously voted to promote current Deputy Clerk & Economic Development Officer Hazel Lambe to the position of Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk effective September 27, 2013.

Ms. Lambe’s 25 years of municipal experience includes: Chair of the North Kawartha Planning Committee, Member of the Kawartha Highlands Signature Site Provincial Park, held the positions of Reeve and Deputy Reeve – Townships of Burleigh & Anstruther, and CAO/Clerk – Townships of Burleigh & Anstruther.

“I’m thrilled to make this announcement and am looking forward to working with Ms. Lambe as our new CAO/Clerk” said Mayor Bernice Jenkins. “Hazel has worked for the Town for the past four years and has proven her abilities during that time. Council has full confidence that this decision will assist the Town of Bancroft in moving forward as we face future challenges” added Mayor Jenkins.

Bancroft has been working with an interim CAO since the end of November last year. This has allowed Council to take the time to review the current organizational structure and determine the leadership skills and abilities necessary for the new permanent CAO to guide the Town administration. The September 27^th effective date will allow for a smooth transition and time for the recruitment of a new Deputy Clerk to fill Ms. Lambe’s current responsibilities. The internal/external recruitment for a Deputy Clerk will begin immediately.

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For further information please contact:

Bernice Jenkins, Mayor

Charles Mullett, Chair Human Resources Committee

TD Green Streets     2013 – 05 – 23

It is my honour to bring greetings from the council and welcome all here.

Over the years our town has seen some changes. Different councils, different times. The vision of the BBIA has also evolved.

The BBIA and Revitalization work toward their vision of a greener downtown. This council has supported the greening of our downtown, not without growing pains but nevertheless supported.

We are still in the recovery phase of a flood. We are trying to replace the plants lost along the river bank.

I am grateful for the folks who continue to make that vision a reality.

It is my pleasure today to formally accept this generous gift from our friends at Toronto Dominion Bank.

The Green Streets program is a wonderful way to touch both our pedestrians and those just travelling through town.

We want travelers to pull over and stop. Planting trees on the main street is one way of putting out the welcome mat.  

Please accept my thanks and come back in a few months to see what your gift has produced.

Working Smoke Alarms Provide Early Fire Detection

Town of Bancroft – May 21, 2013 To prevent a tragic fire in Bancroft and area Chief Hoover is urging residents to ensure that they have working smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas of their homes.

“Every home is required by law to have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas.  These can be hard-wired or battery-operated depending on when your home was built. Both types are required to meet the same standard for smoke alarms, and both are equally effective and acceptable under the Ontario Fire Code.  If you do not have a smoke alarm on every storey of your home, it is vital that you install them as soon as possible” said Chief Hoover.

Residents are urged to test their smoke alarms every month by pressing the test button. If the alarms fail to sound, and it is a hard-wired smoke alarm, make sure you have it looked at right away.  If it is a battery-operated smoke alarm, make sure that the battery is installed correctly or install a new battery. If the alarm still fails to sound, replace the smoke alarm with a new one. Smoke alarms should be tested once a month and batteries should be replaced every year.  Smoke alarms don’t last forever.  Replace smoke alarms with new ones if they are more than 10 years old.

“Just as important as having working smoke alarms is making sure everyone in your home knows exactly what to do to escape BEFORE a fire occurs,” continued Fire Chief [insert name of fire chief]. "Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it with the entire household."

Simple steps for home fire escape planning include:

•  Determining      who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults or anyone      else that due to cognitive or physical limitations may require additional      assistance to escape.

• Making sure      everyone knows two ways out of your residence.
• Checking that      all exits are unobstructed and easy to access.
• Designating a      meeting place outside the home, such as a tree or a lamp post, where everyone      can be accounted for.
• Calling the fire      department from outside the home, from a cell phone or neighbour’s home.
• Once out, stay      out. Never re-enter a burning building.
• Practicing your      home fire escape plan with everyone in your household.

For people who live in apartment buildings and need assistance to escape:

• Make sure you      tell the superintendent or landlord if you need assistance.

• Make sure your      name is added to the persons who require assistance list in the fire      safety plan, so the fire department knows which apartment you are in.
• Know the      emergency procedures outlined in the building’s fire safety plan.

Only working smoke alarms can give you the early warning you need to safely escape a fire. There is no time to spare in a fire. When you hear the alarm you MUST get out immediately.

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For more information, contact:
Bancroft Fire Department
33 A Chemaushgon Rd.
Bancroft, ON K0L 1C0
613-332-2442

POLICE WEEK MAY 12^TH – 18^TH         

(Bancroft, Ontario) – “Walk the Digital Beat – A New Era of Engagement” is the 2013 theme for Police Week which runs from May 12^th – 18^th.  Police Week in Ontario is dedicated to increasing community awareness, recognizing policing services and strengthening partnerships between police and the community.

In recognition of Police Week 2013, Canadian Tire in Bancroft will have an ATV display on Friday 17^th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Bancroft OPP encourages the public to attend the display and ask any questions by have surrounding ATV use.  Handouts will be available covering  ATV safety tips and other crime prevention material.

Public safety is always a priority in our communities and the OPP want to ensure that every ATV ride is an enjoyable and safe trip.

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Contact:  Susanne Cox

                 Community Service Officer

                 Bancroft OPP

Phone:  613-332-2112

www.opp.ca

STAY SAFE THIS LONG WEEKEND – BANCROFT OPP     

(Bancroft, Ontario) – This Victoria Day long weekend (May 18^th – 20^th) kicks off the summer driving season and the Bancroft OPP expects to see an increase in the traffic travelling in the Bancroft detachment area.  The OPP want to remind the public that any unsafe driving will not be tolerated.

Drivers should know that OPP officers will be diligent at targeting “The Big 4” which are:

Impaired Driving – The impacts of impaired driving have been made known for years and the OPP will continue to deal with this deadly issue.  The OPP have zero tolerance towards this criminal act.

Seatbelt Enforcement – A driver can be charged and face a fine totalling $240.00 and two demerit points.  Safety is paramount so buckle up!

Aggressive Driving – Speed kills – if people drive responsibly they will reduce the chances of conflict on the road.

Distracted Driving – Studies show that a driver using a cell phone is four times more likely to be in a crash that a driver focused on the road.  If you violate this legislation expect a fine of $155.00.

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Contact:  Susanne Cox

                 Community Service Officer

                 Bancroft OPP

Phone:  613-332-2112

www.opp.ca

Media Release May 9th, 2013

I am happy to inform you that I terminated the “Declaration of Emergency” on Wednesday afternoon.

At a special meeting of Council, we agreed unanimously to apply to the Minister for both public and private Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program known as ODRAP funding for the Town of Bancroft.

Further to that, we agreed unanimously to offer to take part in a joint administration should another municipality apply for private ODRAP funding and wish to join us. 

We sent our letter to the Minister with estimates only and are hopeful that our request will be successful.

To be eligible for ODRAP funding residents of the Town of Bancroft harmed by the flood need to register their information at the town office.

-         Mayor Bernice Jenkins