PORT HOPE, ON – The Municipality of Port Hope will launch a long-term, multi-faceted Downtown Revitalization Project aimed at strengthening the community’s business core, re-energizing the Port Hope community and attracting the external audiences who may choose Port Hope as a destination for their home, business or vacation.

A recommendation approved at this evening’s Committee of the Whole will establish a Project Management Committee to oversee and execute a comprehensive revitalization of the Municipality’s downtown core. The project is a central component part of a long-term vision for Port Hope says Mayor Linda Thompson, “Promotion of economic development and tourism is a key objective of our Corporate Strategic Plan. The downtown revitalization project will help to preserve the heritage of our commercial core and strengthen its connection to the waterfront, enhancing the entire downtown area.”

The project’s community-driven model was developed by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) in 2010, using proven best practices from successful programs in the U.S. and Quebec. Local businesses, building owners, community organizations, and residents will be directly involved and work closely with key partners including the HBIA, Chamber of Commerce, and Architectural Conservancy of Ontario– Port Hope Branch (ACO), which recently committed $250,000 for heritage building improvements in the downtown core.

Port Hope’s downtown business core has been negatively impacted in past several years by the economic downturn and negative national press related to historical issues. Deputy Mayor Jeff Gilmer, Chair of the Economic Development and Tourism Committee, stated, “In conjunction with our Economic Development Strategic plan, this project is a comprehensive, long-term approach that will support the efforts of our business owners and investors to rejuvenate our community’s business core, increase tourism and raise our profile as a prime tourism destination.”

With funding through federal, provincial, and local partnerships, the Municipality will further enhance its business retention and promotional initiatives and support the coordination and administration of the revitalization program including contracting a dedicated Coordinator to oversee details of development and implementation. Key elements will include a Streetscape Study & Strategy and a Downtown Attraction & Retention Strategy to establish short, mid and long-term project goals to be sustained through community involvement.

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For more information contact

Judy Selvig - Director, Economic Development & Tourism
jselvig@porthope.ca or 905.885.4544

PORT HOPE, ON – Port Hope firefighters will receive Confined Space Rescue training and equipment this year as part of the Municipality’s Emergency Response and Training Assistance Support Agreement with Cameco.

Cameco is donating specialized rescue equipment to the Port Hope Fire Department and Municipal firefighters have been attending joint training with Cameco’s Emergency Response Team (ERT) over the past several months, paid for by Cameco. Confined space rescues are required when victims are found in enclosed or partially enclosed locations with limited openings for entry or exit such as silos, vats, sewers, tunnels, and large pipelines. Port Hope’s Fire Department has not previously had the capacity to perform this type of rescue.

The Emergency Response and Training Assistance Support Agreement was established in 2007 to facilitate sharing of information and training resources between the Port Hope Fire Department and Cameco’s ERT at no cost to the Municipality. Advanced training and equipment provided through the Agreement enhances our Fire Department’s capacity for fire suppression and hazardous materials emergency response across the Municipality and enables Port Hope firefighters to assist in the event of an emergency at Cameco’s facilities. Through a reciprocal agreement, Cameco ERT is prepared to provide assistance when required at fires or other emergencies within the Municipality.

Upon renewal in 2011, the agreement was expanded to include the Confined Space Rescue training and equipment and detailed response assistance protocol for Cameco’s Fuel Manufacturing Facility on Peter Street.

Representatives from Cameco delivered the Confined Space Rescue equipment to the Port Hope Fire Department today and four Port Hope firefighters are in the process of achieving Confined Space Instructor certification to National Fire Protection Association standards and will provide Confined Space Technician training to all Port Hope’s firefighters through the summer of 2012.

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For more information contact
Rob Collins
Director, Fire and Emergency Services
905.885.5323
rcollins@porthope.ca

PORT HOPE, ON - The Port Hope Civic Awards Advisory Committee is pleased to announce exciting changes to the program. New categories, new selection criteria and a new look will re-energize the program and provide more opportunities to celebrate our community’s volunteers.

The traditional awards for Outstanding Citizen, Outstanding Youth, Community Service, Arts & Culture, and Athletics remain and four new categories have been introduced to recognize achievement in Agriculture, Inspiration, Philanthropy, and Environment. Selection criteria have been refined to facilitate the nomination process and this year’s presentation ceremony will have a new theme, “Stars of Port Hope”.

Councillor Rick Austin is the Council representative on the Committee, “Council established the Civic Awards Program in 1987 and since then has recognized hundreds of recipients for their achievements and contributions to Port Hope. The Committee undertook a comprehensive community consultation process and received strong support for changes to the program.”

Civic Awards Advisory Committee Chair, Nancy Redner is excited about the new elements, “The Committee has worked for many months on plans to bring a new perspective to this important program. Our volunteers are truly the stars of Port Hope and we encourage everyone to recognize their contribution to our community.”

The timing of the ceremony has also been changed; this year’s Civic Awards Night will be held at the Cameco Capitol Arts Centre on Thursday April 19, 2012 to coincide with National Volunteer Week. Admission is free and everyone is encouraged to attend and celebrate those who generously dedicate their time, talent and resources to enrich the Municipality of Port Hope.

Nominations are the key element of the Civic Awards program and forms are available at www.porthopecivicawards.ca and all Municipal facilities: Town Hall, Canton, Tourism Office, Development Team Office, Town Park Recreation Centre, Ruth Clarke Centre, Jack Burger Sports Complex, Port Hope Chamber of Commerce, and both branches of the Port Hope Public Library.

All nominations must be received at Town Hall, 56 Queen Street, Port Hope, ON L1A 3Z9 by close of business on Thursday, March 15, 2012.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead

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Nancy Redner, Chair - Port Hope Civic Awards Advisory Committee
dunain@eagle.ca

Northumberland News article - October 17

PORT HOPE -- A Port Hope para swimmer and his coach have been named Ontario's best.

Isaac Bouckley, a 16-year-old swimmer with a club right foot, was named male para swimmer of the year by Swim Ontario. His coach, Eric Kramer, was named male para coach of the year by Swim Ontario.

Bouckley, who is a member of the Northumberland Aquatic Club, swims at the Jack Burger Sports Complex in Port Hope, and couldn't be more happy about the award.

"It feels pretty good," said Bouckley of the award.

Although Bouckley was excited to be named the province's best, he was also surprised he was chosen.

"There are so many great swimmers in Ontario," he said. "To be singled out from all of them is a great honour."

It has been a great year for the Port Hope swimmer.

On Feb. 16, he won three individual gold medals at the Central Ontario Secondary School Athletics championships, representing Port Hope High School.

In April, at the CAN-AM international para swim meet at the University of Minnesota, Bouckley placed third in the 50-metre freestyle (ranked 11th in the world), placed third in the 100m freestyle (ranked 10th in the world), and placed fourth in the 400m freestyle (ranked 8th in the world). Since the meet, and other races by other para swimmers, Bouckley has seen his world ranking slide to 18th in the 50 metre, 18th in the 100m, and 17th in the 400m.

And finally on Aug. 14, the NORAC swimmer represented Canada at the Pan-Pacific para-swimming championships in Edmonton. Bouckley placed fourth in the 400m freestyle, achieving the time standard for the 2012 London Paralympics.

If he does the same at the Canadian trials in Montreal in March 2012, he will officially qualify for the London Paralympic Games.

But don't think Bouckley's latest accolade will deter him from keeping focused on the Canadian trials.

"I don't think it will distract me," said Bouckley. "If anything, it's encouraging me to continue the way I have been going and to keep pushing myself to go faster."

Kramer called his award a great honour for himself and the NORAC swim club.

"To get such an award this means that your work is recognized," said Kramer. "It sure make me feel good."

He added the accolades for Bouckley and himself will be good for the para-swim school which NORAC offers.

And while happy about his award, Kramer couldn't help thank those who surround him. Kramer said his peer para coaches, the para national team, as well as his own vision, focus, stubbornness and his will to constantly change, all had a hand in his success.

Kramer said Bouckley's award has already had an impact on all levels of the NORAC swim club.

"I am sure that this will inspire kids out there who may have disabilities to inquire about our para Swim School," said Kramer.

Bouckley said Kramer's award is well deserved.

"He does a great job of coaching me, and I would not be where I am today without him," said Bouckley. "He knows what I can and cannot do, and he treats me equally. I work just as hard as everyone else."

For more information on the NORAC swim club, visit www.swimnorac.com

Port Hope congratulates resident Ken Macpherson on receiving the Admirals' Medal

Established in 1985, in conjunction with the 75th anniversary of the naval Service in Canada, the Admirals' Medal is bestowed upon individual Canadians in recogition of their outstanding achievements in the advancement of maritime affairs in Canada.

Mr. Macpherson was presented with the medal at a ceremony on October 12th in Port Hope.