Interview with the Mayor - Oct 15th 2024

Tuesday, 15 October 2024 11:08

Woodstock City Council will discuss Oxford County's HART Hub application this Thursday.

WOODSTOCK - The Mayor of Woodstock would like to back the County's campaign for a Homelessness Additions Recovery Treatment Hub, also known as a HART Hub.

Oxford County Council voted in favour of sending an application to the province last week. Mayor Jerry Acchione would like to give that application a little boost, by sending a letter of support from Woodstock City Council.

"I think it's really important, so I wanted to put that as a Mayor's Report to council to seek permission. I am hoping for full support from all of council so I can send a letter of support with the application. They are due October 18th, so this Friday."

The province is planning to open 19 HART Hubs across Ontario. In an interview with Heart FM last week, Oxford County Warden Marcus Ryan said it would be well into next year before the host locations are announced.

Acchione says this Thursday's Woodstock City Council agenda also includes a report from staff, which breaks down all of the work that will be taking place in the downtown core.

"You are going to see the five suggested phases of the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan, so the five sections of roadway, but also a sixth phase which is Museum Square, and a seventh phase of ultimately one day City Hall getting the expansion that it needs."

Phase 1 will begin in the spring and it will cover Riddell Street to Wellington Street. Acchione says Phase 2 could begin next year as well if it's approved during the budget discussions for 2025. Phase 2 covers Light Street to Graham Street.

Acchione says all of the phases should be completed in the next six or seven years. You can read the full report online here.

Thursday's City Council meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. and it will be livestreamed on the City of Woodstock YouTube page. You can also find the meeting agenda online here.

During his interview with Dan and Marcie this morning, Mayor Acchione also discussed the following:

- How he spent his Thanksgiving weekend.

- The rules behind homeless encampments and how the municipality is not able to vacate an encampment if it does not have the shelter space to accommodate the people living there.

- Just because the City of Woodstock won't be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt in 2025, doesn't mean a community group can't step up to host one in the Friendly City.

- A report from staff that suggests the City Council agendas are released to the public the same day they are sent to City Council members.

You can listen to the full interview below: