The Wingham Homecoming is rapidly approaching. The final schedule of events are now available here in PDF format and can be downloaded or printed. Downloading is recommended rather than Preview.
Wishing everyone a happy and safe Homecoming 2024.
The Wingham Homecoming is rapidly approaching. The final schedule of events are now available here in PDF format and can be downloaded or printed. Downloading is recommended rather than Preview.
Wishing everyone a happy and safe Homecoming 2024.
One of the Wingham BIA projects for 2024 is the setup of internet wifi connectivity along the main business core of Josephine St. This was passed at the Annual General Meeting in February 2024.
Reasoning for this is to make internet access quick and easy for visitors to Wingham who want to see what the town has to offer – businesses, restaurants, historical sites, things to do. Some plans are still in their infancy, but the hardware is being tested.
Some concerns have been raised about people sitting along Josephine St and staying on free wifi all day, possibly tying up parking spots. The BIA Board is planning on restricting the internet access so that things like streaming videos won’t be allowed. Time restrictions online will also be implemented. As for parking, if a vehicle is habitually taking up a parking spot, contact Wingham Town Hall and submit a complaint through their website at https://www.northhuron.ca/en/municipal-government/report-a-concern.aspx
The article below is posted with the permission of the Wingham Advance Times. We appreciate them allowing us to post this to our website and also thank A-T reporter Cory Bilyea for reporting our position.
Message from Ontario Ministry of Economic Development.
Please allow me to share the attached information for your awareness, reference, and dissemination to businesses.
Reducing regulatory burden on Ontario businesses is a priority. This is why Ontario’s regulatory ministries are considering ways to better integrate their work and share information with businesses. A longer-term goal is for compliant businesses to be visited by fewer regulators over a set timeframe, and regulators can more efficiently target non-compliant businesses engaging in high-risk behaviour.
It can be confusing, and time consuming, for businesses to understand their requirements and handle multiple inspections from many ministries over the same period and we are providing integrated information about their regulatory requirements across government to increase awareness and compliance. Businesses will be able to more effectively use Ontario resources and make it easier for businesses to comply with requirements while improving protections for the people of Ontario.
Kind regards,
Michael
Michael Buranyi
Senior Business Advisor (A) | Business Advisory Services Branch
Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade | Ontario Public Service519-630-3879 | Michael.Buranyi@ontario.ca
The 2024 Wingham BIA Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held Thursday, Feb. 15 at the Knights Lounge of the Complex. There was a light turnout, due to weather, but there was quorum to pass motions.
BIA Chair, Dave Tiffin, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. The minutes of the 2023 AGM were viewed and passed as written. The achievements of 2023 were read, with the following being noted:
In summary of the initiatives, Chair Tiffin noted that he’d like to thank the Board for their work throughout the year. Wingham BIA Board is totally volunteer with no paid staff. We are in the approximate 10% of Ontario BIAs that are all volunteer.
The financial statements for 2023 were presented by Treasurer, Doug Kuyvenhoven. He detailed the expenditures of 2023 for those in attendance and the report was passed as presented.
Next, the proposed budget for 2024 was presented. There being no questions from those in attendance a motion was put forward and passed to accept the proposed budget.
The goals for 2024 were next presented by Chair Tiffin. These include:
Next on the agenda was the annual awards. The Civic Improvement went to Arnold Morrison for the work done at Annette’s Treasures & Jewlz Designs and to Murray Simpson for work done on the former medical office building.
New businesses in 2023 were Harmony Hearing, Syd’s Barkin’ Beauties, Mane Inspiration, Soul Journey, Kneaded Relief and Wholesome Raw Pet Food.
Volunteer of the year went to “The Green Team”. This was a group of people who came together to paint the fencing at the Wingham Cemetery. Team members were: Paul and Gail Heffer, Tharon Riley, Jeanette King, Penny Mulvey, Gary and Maureen Lisle. On most days, there were at least 5 working and usually went from about 8:30 until noon. There are 159 sections of fence with an average of 23 bars per section for a total of 3657 bars and they were all sanded first, front and back and then painted, some twice. We figured we spent around 325-man hours on the job and had lots of laughs and fun doing it. I believe we were there about 5 weeks.
The final award was for Lifetime Achievement and was presented to Bruce Stainton. Chair Tiffin said the following about Bruce prior to presenting him with a certificate: “Bruce retired from the family business in 2023. He took over the business of Stainton Home Hardware from his father, Murray and ran it for several years. Bruce was a mainstay on Josephine St and very involved in business and community events. Bruce led the Dig Our Downtown retail event when Josephine St was reconstructed several years ago. That led to regular business meetings and the eventual development of the Wingham BIA. Bruce was Chair of the Wingham BIA for several years after its establishment. We wish him well in his retirement“
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 7:50 p.m.
BIA Chair Dave Tiffin congratulates Doug Kuyvenhoven and members of “The Green Team” that painted the fencing at the Wingham Cemetery. L-R are Tiffin, Kuyvenhoven, Gary Lisle, Tharon Riley, Penny Mulvey, Paul Heffer. Absent are Gail Heffer and Jeannette King.
BIA Chair Dave Tiffin presents Bruce Stainton with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Christmas season is officially on in Wingham with the annual Lighting of the Lights at Cruickshank Park on Nov. 17.
Several people were on hand for the 6:30 lighting sponsored by the Wingham BIA. The BIA would like to thank North Huron Public Works, the Wingham Firefighters and the United Church choir for their assistance and participation. The choir leads the gathering in singing Christmas carols. Also a thank you to Dave Wallace for the sound system and special thanks to Tharon Riley as the lead on this event for several years now, along with some volunteer assistance. After a welcome from the BIA chairperson, Wilma Hiemstra said a few words about the reason for the season before the carolling began.
Remax Realty was onhand serving hot chocolate and cookies to the crowd. Someone referred to the event as a “Hallmark moment”.
Merry Christmas everyone. And don’t forget to shop Wingham!!
The Wingham BIA Board has approved a sale on Wingham BIA Community Cash, commonly referred to as BIA Bucks. There is a 5% discount on the purchase of BIA Bucks through November to December 24..
Great for Christmas bonuses to employees. Great for stocking stuffers.
The benefit to the community in that the BIA Cash gets spent in Wingham.
Purchase BIA Bucks at Libro Credit Union in Wingham. Sales is on now.
The following conditions apply to this sale:
BIA Bucks should be redeemable at all Wingham businesses except for chains like McDonalds, Tims, Pioneer etc. Business owner takes coupons to Libro for full reimbursement.
The purchase of new benches for Josephine Street was approved at the BIA’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in March with $30,000 being allocated for the benches in the 2023 budget. These benches will be placed where the existing benches are located.
A subcommittee researched and put out RFQ’s (request for quotes) to various Canadian suppliers. Classic Displays in Mississauga was selected by the Wingham BIA board to supply the new benches. The actual cost for the benches came in at $20,000 + HST.
The new benches have a slightly higher seat height and an extra arm at the 1/3 – 2/3 split to make it easier for anyone to sit down and get up from the benches.
The North Huron Works Dept will be installing the new benches in the spring of 2024. We look forward to these beautiful new maintenance free benches replacing the old ones!
The old benches will be refurbished and then installed along the Wingham Community Trail, replacing benches that are deteriorated, and/or providing additional benches along the trail. The $30,000 that was budgeted for the new benches included an allocation of $5,000 for refurbishing the old benches.
The BIA Board
Please pass along to the community groups you are involved in that might fit within one of the pillars.
The Wingham BIA held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, Feb. 16 in the lounge of the Knights of Columbus Hall.
Called to order at 6:30 p.m. Chair, Dave Tiffin read the minutes of the 2022 AGM, which had been held virtually due to Covid in February 2022. The minutes were passed unanimously. Economic Development Officer Demetri Makrakos then presented proposed changes to the Wingham BIA constitution. This dealt with removing the industrial park businesses from the levy which reduces the annual levy by approximately $2,500. The changes were passed unanimously.
Chair Tiffin then gave a report on 2022 activities which included:
Treasurer Doug Kuyvenhoven presented the financials for 2022. There were no questions from the floor. Kuyvenhoven then presented the proposed budget for 2023 which was passed unanimously.
Council representative to the BIA, Mitch Wright, gave an update from Council. Wright gave a brief but very informational report on some current NH issues.
Chair Tiffin then returned to the podium to list the BIA goals for 2023. These include:
Makrakos then reviewed the nominees for the Wingham BIA Board for 2023. The BIA can have 4-8 members plus 1 Council representative. There were 5 returning Board members and 2 nominations. Returning members are Dave Tiffin, Doug Kuyvenhoven, Annette Monsma, Carolyn Young and Jim Snyder. The new nominees are Joey Havers and Ryan Fergusson. The members will need to be approved by North Huron Council, but no issues are anticipated. Ashley Vander Velden decided to not return to the Board due to work commitments.
The annual BIA awards were next on the agenda. The BIA has categories for new businesses in the year, civic improvement, lifetime achievement, and volunteer of the year. Not all awards are necessarily given each year. For 2022 the new businesses were Duck Duck Juice, Noah’s Pizza, Riverview Local Eatery, Cornerstone Pizza and Pet Valu. Civic improvement went to Fogal’s Independent and KYC for work done on their facades as well as Maitland Family Dental for their new accessible entry. Volunteer of the year was presented to Ashley Vander Velden for her work on the year’s retail promotions.
The meeting closed with a question and answer session but there were no questions from the floor. Monthly BIA Board meetings are the 3rd Thursday of each month with the exception of July. They start at 6:30 p.m. and are held in the Hot Stove Lounge of the NHWCC.