Latest news with #municipalCouncil
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Councillor pushes for 'overnight camping' policy for Chatham homeless encampment
Michael Bondy plans to put forward a motion at a special meeting of municipal council next Monday. "My motion basically would allow for overnight camping in parks, but not during the day," he said. At issue is Chatham's large homeless encampment that recently was forced to move. The community of roughly 50 tents was near the Thames River in the city's downtown, but upcoming construction work forced it to be moved. Since then, a lot of those people have relocated further east to a municipal green space beside the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) building — and closer to more homes. "That would alleviate the encampment kind of situation that we're in," said the Ward 6 Chatham-Kent councillor. "Municipal land would be available for sheltering overnight, but then those people would have to leave during the day with their stuff." WATCH | Confusion inside Chatham's encampment along the riverfront earlier in July: The motion seeks to limit temporary shelters erected on municipal land to one hour before sunset until one hour after sunrise. "I don't believe it's fair to the community that an area with soccer fields and a trail system has been basically commandeered by a small group of people that have affected the lives and, frankly, the property values. The businesses are nervous. Something's got to be done." If supported, Bondy's motion would enable bylaw enforcement and police officers to remove, seize or impound property that is unlawfully found. "I don't think it would be an arrest. It would just be a kind of a move along. I'm sure some sort of fine would probably be associated with it, but hopefully, there's compliance and that wouldn't be necessary." Bondy says his motion stems from the concerns of many citizens who have reached out to him. "Open drug use, garbage, noise, inconvenience. People feel unsafe. They feel that the green space has been effectively kind of occupied," he said. "Frankly, I think a lot of these folks probably will decide not to do it and choose somewhere else because it's very inconvenient for them to pitch a tent and have to take it down in the morning." 'Significant issue,' says mayor Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff hopes Monday's meeting will help find a balance between the rights of unhoused people and the rights of the area's homeowners. More than 1,700 people have signed a petition expressing concerns about the encampment, and Canniff said Thursday he had 43 calls to return on the topic. "I'm not sure that I've had an issue, that I've had that many people reaching out," Canniff said. "It's a significant issue in the community, and we owe it to the residents to have a public discussion about it." Unresolved issues Since people have set up the encampment on PUC property, there was a plea from the Chatham-Kent Police Service for people to stop calling 911. Ontario courts have upheld the rights of unhoused people to camp on municipal land if there are insufficient alternative shelter options. Chatham-Kent has an expansive policy guiding where camping can take place, but Canniff said he will put forward new proposals at the Monday meeting. "You're allowed to have an encampment or a tent within 10 metres of a residential property. ... When you look at London, for instance, [it's] 100 metres. Look at Sarnia; they put a kilometre. So, you know, we're 10 metres. … Do we feel as council that that's fair that someone can set up an encampment 10 metres behind your residence?" Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Trevor Jones told CBC News the decision to move the encampment rests entirely with the municipality, but the Ontario government believes residential areas are not places for encampments. "I am proud to support Bill 6 – the Safer Municipalities Act, which gave law enforcement the tools they requested to remove encampments from public areas and ensure the safety of residents," Jones said. "Furthermore, our government has provided over $3 million in direct funding to support vulnerable individuals in Chatham-Kent, along with an additional $2 million for supportive housing. We believe no one should be left behind."
CBC
26-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Quebec places town of Sainte-Élisabeth under trusteeship
The Quebec government has placed the municipality of Sainte-Élisabeth under trusteeship, after the town's mayor declared a state of emergency twice in June due to tensions between citizens and elected officials. Quebec Municipal Affairs Minister Andrée Laforest adopted the decree on Wednesday, noting that "the government has a duty to ensure the proper administration of municipalities." "Steps are being taken to ensure the sound management of Sainte-Élisabeth," Laforest said in a news statement published on Wednesday. "This decision will provide the municipal council with the assistance and support it needs to carry out its duties." Municipal council meetings have been tense since 2023 after reports of mockery from the audience and elected officials and citizens talking over each other. Sainte-Élisabeth Mayor Louis Bérard cited the Municipal Code of Quebec, which requires him to "protect elected officials," to explain his decision to declare a state of emergency. Citizens are criticizing the municipality for incurring expenses and making investments without having produced financial reports since 2023. Three municipal employees were allegedly injured during a recent municipal council meeting, according to Bérard. All Sainte-Élisabeth municipal council decisions must be approved by the Commission municipale du Québec until the commission believes the situation in the town is resolved.
Times of Oman
18-06-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Musandam Governorate holds meeting to boost exports, imports and logistics
Khasab: Sayyid Ibrahim Said Al Busaidi, Governor of Musandam chaired a meeting today with government officials, private sector representatives, specialists, and members of the municipal council to discuss ways to enhance export and import activities through the governorate's official ports, particularly Khasab Port, which serves as a vital hub for economic development in the region. The meeting comes as part of broader efforts to maximise the benefits of Musandam's strategic location and logistical potential, supporting economic growth and contributing to the national objectives outlined in Oman Vision 2040. Discussions focused on streamlining the movement of goods, developing infrastructure to strengthen the logistics sector, and exploring mechanisms to boost cross-border trade while increasing local value-added through export promotion and import diversification. The attendees also emphasised the importance of generating direct and indirect employment opportunities for the locals of Musandam through these activities, reinforcing sustainable development in the governorate.
LBCI
24-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanon's President Aoun casts his vote in his hometown
President Joseph Aoun cast his vote in his hometown of Aaichiyeh to elect a mukhtar, following the uncontested win of the municipal council. "After 40 years of protecting elections, today, for the first time, I came to vote—and my vote is for the development of the village," Aoun said in a brief statement.
LBCI
08-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Candidate registration closes for municipal and mukhtar elections in Tyre district
Candidate registration for municipal and mukhtar elections in the Tyre district has officially closed. The final tally shows a total of 449 candidates running for municipal council seats and 249 candidates running for mukhtar positions. Additionally, five individuals have registered as candidates for member mukhtar roles in the district.
