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CTV News
5 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Chatham-Kent council approves tougher encampment rules, leaving only one possible site
Chatham-Kent council has voted to tighten the rules around homeless encampments — a move administration says leaves just one municipal property in Chatham where a camp could legally operate. During a meeting Monday night that drew a standing-room-only crowd for the second time in three weeks, councillors approved a series of bylaw changes one-by-one after hearing more than 20 deputations and receiving two petitions on the issue. One petition called for action on the camp, while the other urged the municipality to protect the people living there. The new rules amend Chatham-Kent's encampment protocol to: Prohibit encampments within 100 metres of any private property line with a habitable residence. Prohibit encampments within 100 metres of any business. Require a 25-metre buffer from construction sites. Require a 10-metre buffer from recreational paths. Require tents to be at least two metres apart. Task bylaw enforcement officers with handling encampment-related issues on private property. Direct administration not to proceed with purchasing land for a sanctioned encampment site. Require administration to continue reporting recommendations for community mitigation practices on an ongoing basis. Have all costs tied to enforcement, mitigation and community supports compiled and shared with the Premier, the ministers of health and municipal affairs and housing, and local MPPs. Allow administration to close or adjust recreation amenities inconsistent with the new rules. Administration told council the changes mean Thames Grove Conservation Area is now the only municipal land in Chatham that meets the new criteria for an encampment. The current camp on Grand Avenue East is located on Public Utilities Commission property and would not comply under the new 100-metre setback from homes and businesses. The vote follows weeks of heated public debate and a special emergency meeting in late July, where council considered but delayed a decision on the 100-metre setback. While some residents told council Monday the tougher rules are needed to address safety and quality-of-life concerns, others argued they will further marginalize people without housing unless long-term shelter and support options are in place.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania THA Leaders Try To Quiet Storm After Contentious Membership Meeting
Pennsylvania THA Leaders Try To Quiet Storm After Contentious Membership Meeting originally appeared on Paulick Report. One week after a contentious July 14 membership meeting that nearly erupted in a fight between board members John Julia and Scott Lake, Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association president Bob Hutt and executive director Jeff Matty called for unity in a three-minute video distributed to all PTHA members and posted on the association's Youtube page. Reading from a script, Hutt and Matty both reiterated that a settlement had been reached on a petition Hutt and Julia filed last year to have seven individuals removed from the PTHA board. The settlement agreement called for a number of bylaw changes and investigations into past actions and spending by the PTHA when it was led by its former president, Sal DeBunda, and the late Mike Ballezzi, who served as longtime executive director. The settlement agreement also stated that Hutt, Julia and the seven board members they sought to remove 'have acted in good faith and in the best interest of the Association at all times.''The settlement is final, and it's time to move forward,' said Hutt. 'As president, I want to be crystal clear. To the best of my knowledge, no member of the current PTHA board did anything wrong. Every board member acted with the best intentions for this association and for the horsemen that we all serve. We will continue to serve this membership to the best of our abilities throughout the remainder of our term.' 'This allows us to put the petition matter behind us,' said Matty. 'The PTHA is united in purpose, and we have real work to do. I'm proud to continue to serve our membership and our board focusing on what matters: the future of Thoroughbred racing here within the PTHA at Parx Racing. 'Now is the time to come together,' said Hutt. 'We need unity, strength and a shared vision. This association is bigger than any one person or disagreement. The work ahead, whether on the backstretch or in the boardroom, requires us all pulling in the same direction.' This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
