On May 12 of last year, members of city council voted 5-3 to support a motion to draft a personal flotation device bylaw and place ring buoys on the shore around Lake Margaret.
By doing so, those councillors chose to override a recommendation from Jeff Bray, then Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities, that the city not proceed with the development of such a bylaw or the installation of the ring buoys due to potential liability issues.
The undertaking became known as the Ryan Davies Project, prompted by the death of 26-year-old Ryan Davies (pictured below) on Labour Day, 2024, when a canoe he and two friends were in tipped over, and he drowned in Lake Margaret.
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The future of the Elgin County Railway Museum: ‘At the end of the day, it’s really about stewardship and responsibility’
In the past, the facility has pared back on operations and events over the winter. However, on Wednesday (Jan. 7), the Elgin County Railway Museum announced, in a letter to the community, that it was indefinitely suspending operations.The letter noted, “The temporary closure is due to building-related issues located outside of public areas of the facility.”
The museum administration assured that these issues did not impact public safety during recent operations or events.
To delve further into the suspension, we contacted Scott Sleightholm, President of Railworks Coalition, who advised that the museum is also closed to members and volunteers.
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!
“Sometimes the best Christmas present is remembering what you’ve already got.” – Cathy Guisewite
And always remember that you have no idea how one conversation, one word of encouragement or one expression of love might change someone’s life.
Sincere wishes for a happy and healthy 2026.
City Scope will return on Jan. 3 of the new year.
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‘We must reflect the city’s positive working relationship’ with the Doug Ford government and certainly not appear to be critical – The watering down of support for the region’s conservation authorities
It was clearly evident that half of the members of city council are loath to ruffle the feathers of upper-tier government officials.
This relates to a matter discussed during Monday’s (Dec. 15) council meeting, dealing with the province’s move to consolidate Ontario’s 37 conservation authorities into seven regional authorities.
Under the consolidation, much of southwestern Ontario would fall into the Lake Erie Regional Conservation Authority (see map below), which would cover southwestern Ontario watersheds draining into Lake Erie, including the Thames, Grand, and Sydenham systems, supporting agriculture, industry, and shoreline communities.
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2026 proposed St. Thomas budget: ‘Funding constraints in recent years have limited the city’s ability to follow its own asset preservation strategies’ – St. Thomas Director of Financial Services Adam Boylan
Members of city council get their first look at the 2026 draft budget on Monday, and first impressions are somewhat concerning.However, most enlightening are the numerous cautionary notes documented by Adam Boylan, Director of Financial Services.
Although there is a long way to go before we have finalized operating and capital budgets, the preliminary hike to the municipal property tax rate is in the six per cent range.
The 2026 Draft Budget proposes almost $79.5 million in tax-related spending, an increase from the city’s 2025 levy of just under $73 million.
This represents a proposed municipal levy increase of approximately 8.9 per cent.
Assessment growth for 2026 is estimated at 2.8 per cent. When combined with the levy requirement, this results in an estimated municipal tax rate increase of just over six per cent.
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Federal funding will enable St. Thomas and Elgin to confront an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ opioid crisis
At an announcement on Wednesday afternoon at the city’s social services hub at 230 Talbot Street, St. Thomas was the recipient of over $640,000 in funding to tackle what was referred to as “an all-hands-on-deck” opioid crisis.The investment, over two years through Health Canada’s Emergency Treatment fund, will support community-led initiatives that expand access to mental health, substance use, and addiction services.
It will also enhance local service capacity and improve culturally safe support for those most affected.
Deanna Huggett, Executive Director of the Elgin Ontario Health Team, stressed the funding builds on an already existing “strong foundation to further reduce barriers to care.”
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‘Vianode’s decision to invest here is a testament to our city’s talent, innovation, and commitment to a sustainable future.’ – St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston
It has been a banner week for St. Thomas. While Trump’s tariff temper tantrum continues to cast economic uncertainty across the country, the former Railway Capital of Canada is forging ahead as the EV Battery Capital of Canada.Earlier this week, we had confirmation from PowerCo that work was proceeding on a trio of major buildings at the Yarmouth Yards industrial park. Foundation and formwork are underway on the first cell production building within the massive facility.
More on that announcement in the following item.
Meantime, on Friday afternoon (Oct. 31) came the announcement that Norwegian company Vianode, a global leader in sustainable battery materials, will build its first North American facility at Yarmouth Yards in St. Thomas. This multi-billion-dollar investment marks a major step forward for Canada’s clean energy and critical minerals strategy.
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Re-development of the former psychiatric hospital land in Central Elgin: ‘”I’m an eternal optimist, and I think that there could be shovels in the ground in the next couple of years’ – Mayor Andrew Sloan
If everything progresses according to design, over the next couple of decades, a “complete, connected and sustainable community” will sprout on the former site of the St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital, advises Central Elgin Mayor Andrew Sloan.The new settlement on the 416-acre site is necessitated by the need to accommodate the housing requirements of the projected 3,000 employees at the new Volkswagen PowerCo battery facility scheduled to open in 2027.
This past Wednesday evening (Oct. 8) at a public open house, Central Elgin residents had the opportunity to provide their input into the future of the site just south of St. Thomas.
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Gone fishin’!
City Scope is taking a short break, to contemplate whether I should accept the vacant head office position with the Maple Leafs. However, we will be back on diligent duty next Saturday, May 31.
In the meantime, I have left a link to one of my more heated debates with a feathered friend. Enjoy!
https://x.com/its_The_Dr/status/1924245264052748759
