PETROLIA MAYOR CELEBRATES VOLUNTEERISM FOR 2020 and 2021

Petrolia, ON- Mayor R. Brad Loosley was pleased to honour all Town volunteers tonight at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.  Ninety-five people attended the event at the Petrolia Legion and were treated to dinner and an evening of celebration of their efforts for the Town.   The value for every one hundred volunteers is just over the equivalent of $370,000.00 in man hours. 

Service Club members, Town Committees, Victoria Playhouse Petrolia volunteers, and many other groups were recognized at the event.  The evening culminated with Mayor Loosley awarding the Volunteer of the Year Awards two four individuals and presented one special recognition.

The four main categories that have been traditionally used to cover as many of the volunteer categories as possible, with a criterion set for each one to assist the selection committee in making the final decision were abandoned for this event as 2020 and 2021 did not look the same as other years have for volunteerism in the Town of Petrolia.

Town of Petrolia – Volunteer of the Year 2020 – Community Partner – SUSAN LAKER

• Member of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 216 
• Member of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 216 Ladies Auxiliary
• Member of the Lions Club of Petrolia
• Instrumental in the planning of the combined service clubs Christmas for Everyone Luncheon
• Fundraiser and organizer of Baconfest and car shows

Town of Petrolia – Volunteer of the Year 2020 – Community Service – PAUL GORDON

• Member of the Community Services Advisory Committee
• Town events set up, clean up and operations volunteer
• Petrolia Farmers’ Market COVID-19 Volunteer
• Strong advocate for youth involvement in their community
• Organizes the Hull Bus Lines Shuttle stops each year for Canada Day, and gives his time to drive a bus for the event
• Brings the Hull Bus Lines bus in the Canada Day Parade and to the Farmers’ Market to promote the Canada Day shuttles
• Legacy Lappers volunteer
• Lifelong supporter of LCDS

Town of Petrolia – Volunteer of the Year 2021 – Community Partner – ROGER MAILLOUX

Town of Petrolia – Volunteer of the Year 2021 – Community Service – ROSS ELLSWORTH

• Member of the Petrolia Trails Committee
• Member of the Community Services Advisory Committee
• Key volunteer in the technical set up for events
• The “do anything volunteer” for Town events, parades and more
• Member of the Lambton Central Petrolia Optimist Club
• Victoria Playhouse Petrolia volunteer, backstage, technical assistance as required, and front of house support
• Films at Victoria Hall volunteer and committee member
• Farmer’s Market COVID-19 Volunteer

Town of Petrolia – Volunteer of the Year 2020 – 2021 – Special Recognition – Special Operations Response Team (SORT)

Some background on SORT:

• The volunteers of the Support Operations Response Team also known as SORT are trained in basic emergency management principles and firefighter rehabilitation skills.
• Each year, they provide thousands of volunteer hours to support the Petrolia & North Enniskillen Fire Department and residents of the surrounding area.
• SORT volunteers are prepared to respond to emergencies. They’re on the scene with firefighters, hazardous materials responders, and rescue personnel to ensure the health and safety of all fire department members and affected residents. This includes rehabilitating the frontline workers and decontaminating hazardous material.
• They support the emergency management for the town of Petrolia. They provide input on the emergency response plan and establish and manage emergency shelters, educate the public about emergency management and more.

During the early stages of the pandemic, SORT volunteers stepped up to help the community:

• They implemented a plan for the COVID drive-through assessment centre and supported mass vaccination clinics held at the local arena by providing monitoring and logistics support.

• Each month, they meet to train and sharpen their skills to be in support to Petrolia and North Enniskillen Fire Department.

Mayor R. Brad Loosley couldn’t thank each volunteer enough and stated, “… it is my pleasure to recognize these volunteers for their exceptional service in the Town of Petrolia.  I would like to also, once again, express my gratitude for each of you, and the role that you play in making our town a well-known community, and for giving so freely of your time and expertise.  We thank you!”

                Each of the honourees was awarded a framed certificate from the mayor, and a glass award with the Town’s clock tower on the face, and bouquets of flowers.  

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Attachment:  Photo: From left to right:  Paul Gordon, Roger Mailloux, Ross Ellsworth, Susan Laker, Mayor R. Brad Loosley, four members of Support Operations Response Team (SORT)

OFFICIAL PLAN ONLINE SURVEY AND FEEDBACK OPTIONS

Petrolia’s Official Plan is our community’s vision for our future. The Official Plan includes policies that address important parts of building our community that affect everyone who lives and works in Petrolia, including housing, jobs, the environment, and the economy.

YOUR INPUT IS IMPORTANT

There are several ways for you to submit your feedback on the Official Plan:

• Online Survey: Participate in the Town’s Survey and provide your valuable feedback at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZRZVQS2

• Mail: Official Plan Review, Town of Petrolia, 411 Greenfield Street, Petrolia, ON N0N 1R0
• PDF version here:

• E-mail: Official Plan Review at clerksdepartment@petrolia.ca

The Town’s current Official Plan may be reviewed on the Town website at http://town.petrolia.on.ca/planning-development/zoning-planning-amendments/

ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BR. 216 TO RE-DEDICATE CENOTAPH

The Town of Petrolia is pleased to partner with the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 216 for the re-dedication of the cenotaph in Victoria Park, Petrolia on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at 2:00 p.m.

The Petrolia Cenotaph was unveiled on September 24, 1922, in honour of those from the Municipalities of Petrolia and Enniskillen who died in the First World War. The unveiling ceremony began at 2pm. Hymns and patriotic songs were played by the Petrolia Citizen’s Band. Mayor Preston gave the opening address, and the cenotaph was unveiled by Major Fairbank.

Emanuel Hahn’s design represents the sorrows caused by war. The soldier atop the cenotaph looks down in sadness at the ground below him, as if he might find there, his fallen comrades, if not for the tragedy of war.

The statue depicts a young, grieving Canadian soldier in First World War army uniform. He is standing at a battlefield grave – a simple cross with poppies and a broken chain at the base and the flag draped behind it – the final resting place of a comrade killed in action. His left-hand rests on the cross, while his right hand holds a reversed rifle. His helmet is slung over his shoulder.

The cenotaph was completely restored in 2012 by Ron Canton Monuments Ltd & Memorial Restorations Inc. The entire joint between the monument and base was removed and resealed with lime mortar. The cenotaph was hand washed, sealed and the inscriptions were hand painted. www.veterans.gc.ca

All are welcome and encouraged to attend the re-dedication, located at 411 Greenfield Street, in Victoria Park, Petrolia.

As we continue to engage with the public, we are sending the attached postcard to community members and property owners along the route alternatives between Municipality of Chatham-Kent and St. Clair Township, as a way to encourage participation and to ensure their feedback is captured in the planning process.

We are committed to listening and incorporating community feedback every step of the way. Once built, this line will add about 400 megawatts of power to the region – enough to power a city the size of Waterloo! This added capacity will support economic growth in the broader Windsor-Essex region, in sectors like agriculture and manufacturing. 

If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Ani Bekmezian

Hydro One Community Relations

Phone: 1-877-345-6799

Email: Community.Relations@HydroOne.com

Petrolia Featured in AMO Video on Asset Management

The Town of Petrolia was featured in an asset management showcase video that was featured at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference, which includes all Ontario municipalities.

Asset management has been a strong focus for the Town of Petrolia over the past five years. Asset management refers to a planned approach for managing and investing in a municipality’s infrastructure. Asset management helps people to manage municipal infrastructure assets and make better investment decisions. It also helps reduce risks and allows municipalities to provide reliable and affordable services and a better quality of life for residents.

Chief Administrative Officer/Treasurer, Rick Charlebois said, “…Asset management planning is an ongoing and long-term process that encourages municipalities to make the best possible investment decisions for their infrastructure assets.”

Mayor R. Brad Loosley said, “Petrolia has been working on an asset management plan that will benefit residents by allowing for reliable and affordable services. This living document will be continuously updated and is a planned approach for managing and investing in a municipality’s infrastructure.”

The featured videos were recorded in Petrolia in July and presented to conference attendees.  For those looking to view the videos, please click here: https://youtu.be/euFOg4qFgzo for the full-length video or here: https://youtu.be/sUAdMoQqw0M for the shorter one.