Municipality OHS Specialist Erin Gillis Wins Safety Award
Safety award honourees including Municipality OHS Specialist Erin Gillis (far right) at the 2019 Safety First in Cape Breton Symposium. Photo: Cape Breton Partnership
SYDNEY, N.S. – On May 15th, 2019, the Cape Breton Partnership in collaboration with the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education and the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia welcomed over 200 delegates from all over Cape Breton Island to Cape Breton University in Sydney for the 7th annual Safety First in Cape Breton Symposium. Among the delegates was Municipality of the County of Inverness Occupational Health and Safety Specialist Erin Gillis.
Originally from Southwest Margaree, Erin has worked for several large-scale manufacturing firms in Alberta, Ontario and Nova Scotia, before returning to her roots and joining the Municipality of the County of Inverness team in 2018. Her dedication to ensuring the health and safety of her Municipal colleagues earned her the Engagement Ally Award at the 2019 Safety First in Cape Breton Awards. It also represents the first Safety First in Cape Breton award merited by a Municipality or an employee of a Municipality.
The Engagement Ally Award is given to ‘training providers or OH&S managers who have done a superior job educating clients or employees about the importance of creating a positive workplace health and safety culture [and] have created a culture where people feel valued, respected, and satisfied in their jobs while working in a safe and healthy environment’ (Safety First Cape Breton, 2019).
“Ms. Gillis embodies all these qualities and more,” said Keith MacDonald, CAO of the Municipality of the County of Inverness. “The occupational health and safety of team members is a priority at the Municipality of the County of Inverness, and the Municipality is proud to have a leader like Ms. Gillis on the team and wishes to congratulate her on being honoured with this well-deserved award.”
“The Cape Breton Partnership is very proud of the Safety First in Cape Breton Award winners, especially the Municipality of the County of Inverness’ own Erin Gillis,” said Carla Arsenault, President and CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership. “Though Ms. Gillis is at the beginning of her work in establishing inverness County as a standard in Municipal workplace health and safety, her dedication and passion for safety were noted in two separate nominations in support of this well-earned recognition. On behalf of the Cape Breton Partnership, and our partners at the Department of Labour and Advanced Education and the Workers Compensation Board of Nova Scotia, I wish to again congratulate Ms. Gillis and the Municipality on this award.”
The Cape Breton Partnership is Cape Breton-Unama’ki’s private sector-led economic development organization, and can be found at www.capebretonpartnership.com. For more information on the Safety First in Cape Breton Symposium and the award winners, visit www.safetyfirstcapebreton.com.
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Joan MacLellan to Retire from Inverary Manor After 32 Years
INVERNESS, N.S. – Craigmore native and current Margaree resident Joan MacLellan is to retire soon after a long, successful tenure as administrator of Inverary Manor in the community of Inverness.
A proponent of lifelong learning, Joan first graduated from St. Francis Xavier University in the early ‘70s and moved to Labrador City to teach before studying business to work as a Certified General Accountant in Newfoundland and Calgary, Alberta. She returned home to Cape Breton in 1980 when she began working as the administrator of Mary’s Hill Home in Mabou in 1980 while completing the Health Services Management Program through the Canadian Healthcare Association.
Shortly after the Municipal Housing Corporation assumed ownership of Mary’s Hill Home in 1984, Joan managed both the Home and the Inverary Manor simultaneously until 1989, when she moved on to work at the Manor full-time.
“I have had a truly amazing work life and have encountered wonderful people along the way,” Mrs. MacLellan said when asked about her impressive career. She plans to enjoy her retirement beside the Margaree River by spending time with her two young grandsons, volunteering with the Inverary Manor’s Auxiliary, enjoying walks and sunsets on Inverness County’s many local beaches, and continuing her lifelong learning by picking up new hobbies.
The Board of the Municipal Housing Corporation and the Municipality of the County of Inverness would like to sincerely congratulate Joan MacLellan and thank her for her tireless dedication and advocacy on behalf of Inverary Manor residents for over three decades, as well as wish her a very happy retirement.
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Contact:
Karolyn Aucoin
Communications and Community Engagement Specialist / Spécialiste en communications et engagement communautaire
Municipality of the County of Inverness / Municipalité du Comté d’Inverness
375 Main Street, Port Hood, NS B0E 2W0
Ph: 902.787.3519
karolyn.aucoin@invernesscounty.ca
2019 Recycling Sorting Sheet
Download and print the new Recycling Sorting Sheet now.
For landfill and transfer station hours of operation, as well as more information on recycling and backyard composting, visit this page.
Municipality of the County of Inverness Recognizes National Day of Mourning
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25th, 2019
INVERNESS COUNTY, N.S. – The National Day of Mourning, observed across Canada each year on April 28th, is an occasion to honour those who have lost their lives or suffered illness due to workplace-related injuries, hazards and accidents.
This year, the Municipality of the County of Inverness is asking all residents to take some time Sunday, April 28th, to remember victims of workplace accidents with a moment of silence at 11am. The Municipality also wishes to reaffirm its commitment to employees and their families that the health and safety of staff is always the first concern while they are at work.
“The National Day of Mourning is a day of reflection, but it’s also a day to contemplate workplace safety practices everywhere,” said Municipality CAO Keith MacDonald. “The Municipality’s team is always looking for ways to reduce or eliminate risk of accidents, wherever Municipality staff members are working.”
The Municipality of the County of Inverness wants residents to be confident that safety is a daily priority. To this end, the Municipality will host several engagement activities and learning opportunities for Municipal staff during this year’s North American Occupational Safety and Health Week from May 5th to 11th, 2019.
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Karolyn Aucoin
Communications and Community Engagement Specialist / Spécialiste en communications et engagement communautaire
375 Main Street, Port Hood, NS B0E 2W0
Ph: 902.787.3519
karolyn.aucoin@invernesscounty.ca
55 Inverness County Volunteers Recognized at Annual Appreciation Dinner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15th, 2019
PORT HOOD, N.S. – The Municipality of the County of Inverness celebrated the hard work of 55 volunteers hailing from all six districts at the St. Peter’s Parish Hall in Port Hood on Wednesday, April 10th.
As part of National Volunteer Week that took place this year Canada-wide from April 7th to 13th, the Municipality of the County of Inverness celebrated the volunteers who work to better the county and their communities every day.
Among the group of honourees was Helen Rollock, who was chosen to represent the Municipality at the Provincial Volunteer Awards in Halifax on April 1st. Helen was nominated by the board of directors of the Bayview Child Development Centre Association for her work in securing funding for the soon-to-be-built Bayview Child Development Centre in Port Hood.
“There can never be enough recognition nor words and expressions of gratitude for our volunteers,” said Warden Betty Ann MacQuarrie in her speech during the event. “This is why we have this special evening every year to show our appreciation for all [they] do.”
The Municipality of the County of Inverness wishes to sincerely congratulate and thank not only the 55 honourees, but all those who share their time, energy, knowledge and enthusiasm with their community through volunteerism. A complete list of the nominated volunteers can be found on the Municipality of the County of Inverness’ website and will be published in the Spring edition of the Participaper.
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Karolyn Aucoin
Communications and Community Engagement Specialist / Spécialiste en communications et engagement communautaire
375 Main Street, Port Hood, NS B0E 2W0
Ph: 902.787.3519
karolyn.aucoin@invernesscounty.ca
2019 List of Volunteers
2019 Easter Holiday Scheduling Changes
Due to the Easter holiday, there will be no garbage collection Friday, April 19th, 2019 nor Monday, April 22nd. There will instead double collection the following week.
All Municipal facilities and offices will be closed Good Friday and Easter Monday. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
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Dû à Paques, il n’y aura aucune collecte d’ordures le vendredi 19 avril 2019 ni le lundi 22 avril. Il y aura donc une collection double la semaine suivante. Les bureaux et édifices municipaux seront également fermés ces jours-là. Nous regrettons tout inconvénient que ces changements pourraient causer.
2018-2019 Municipal Council Meeting Schedule
View the full schedule for the 2018-19 Municipal Council meetings here: Meeting Schedule
The Great Nova Scotia Pick-Me-Up
The Great Nova Scotia Pick-Me-Up is Nova Scotia’s largest volunteer-driven community clean-up program, promoting litter clean-ups across the province. The Municipality of the County of Inverness is providing gloves and garbages bags to volunteers who want to participate in this great initiative!
Litter is an eyesore, poses health risks, affects water quality, and is often mistaken as food by wildlife. And studies show that litter begets litter, meaning people tend to litter in areas where there is already garbage on the ground.
Join thousands of other Nova Scotians in making our province beautiful and healthy.
The clean-up coordinator will start by filling out the online registration form. They can make your clean-up public so anyone can join you, or keep it private so only your chosen team members can participate.
You will need to know the following information to complete your registration:
- Your organization or team name.
- The name, email and phone number for your clean-up coordinator.
- The location of your clean-up.
- The date of your clean-up.
- A description of how you plan to dispose of the collected garbage and recyclables after your clean-up.
- How you heard about the Great Nova Scotia Pick-Me-Up and whether you have previously participated in the program.
- Any other important information you think we should know.
Once registered, your coordinator will receive an approval email with instructions on how to pick up clean-up supplies within your waste region. Pick up locations for supplies and contact information can be found here. Following your registration, you may be contacted by an Adopt-A-Highway staff member with follow-up questions to help them facilitate your clean-up.
2019 Canada’s Musical Coast Festivals & Events Guide
Our office is now gathering information for the 2019 Canada’s Musical Coast
Summer and Fall Events Guide. The guide will include Inverness County festivals and events occurring between May and October 2019. Priority will be given to events that highlight music; however we will make every effort to include all events provided to us.
Deadline for receiving information is April 12, 2019
Download the form here: Festival & Events Guide Form.
Return to:
Lisa Organ
Inverness County Recreation/Tourism Department
PO Box 179
Port Hood, NS B0E 2W0
Phone: 902-787-3507
Email: lisa.organ@invernesscounty.ca
Pre-Budget Consultations 2019-20
When: Tuesday, March 5th and Tuesday, March 12th, 2019
Time: *To be determined upon required pre-registration, spaces are limited
Where: Council Chambers, Municipal Building, 375 Main Street, Port Hood N.S.
Opportunities are being provided by Council and staff of the Municipality of the County of Inverness for community groups and stakeholders to present briefly on upcoming or accomplished projects, initiatives and ideas during the upcoming 2019-2020 Capital and Operating Budget deliberations. Deadline for registration is Friday, March 1st at 4:00pm, space is limited, and pre-registration is first-come, first-served. Presenters are required to submit a PowerPoint or an outline of their respective presentations at time of registration. Organizations and community groups must pre-register by contacting Ellen Murphy, Administrative Assistant to CAO and Council, at ellen.murphy@invernesscounty.ca or 902-787-3501. Presentations are limited to 15 minutes and will be moderated by Municipal CAO, Keith MacDonald.
These consultations will provide an opportunity for participants to identify their priorities and provide views on how to achieve them. The presentations provide the opportunity to build a shared understanding of what issues matter to community groups and stakeholders. Municipal Council and staff look forward to hearing about the fiscal and policy priorities of County community groups and stakeholders and their ideas for how to both achieve and sustain them.
Brief presentations or outlines should include the following information:
• Official organization name, date of establishment and RJS and/or charitable status.
• Organizational geographic coverage area.
• Organizational mandate.
• Demonstrated organizational capacity, list recent projects/efforts and partnerships.
• Level of community engagement/community feedback & representation.
• Title of project, initiative or idea.
• Specify if the presentation is for reporting purposes or for fiscal/policy consideration.
• What upcoming or accomplished projects, initiatives and ideas do you have for either reporting purposes and/or fiscal and policy considerations during the upcoming 2019-2020 Capital and Operating Budget deliberations?
• Highlight the need, who is/was affected (data) and what is/was the proposed impact how is it measured?
• What is/was the proposed budget and timeline?
• Who are/were your partners, and highlight confirmed partners? How do you propose the Municipality partners with your organization to support accomplishment?
• How is this maintained/sustained?
Presentations are limited to fifteen (15) minutes, and will be moderated by Municipal CAO, Keith MacDonald. If desired participants can shorten the presentation to enable a brief Q&A period with Council and staff. If your community group requires assistance preparing the presentation contact Municipal Special Projects Facilitator, Melanie Beaton at 902-787-3504 or via email at: melanie.beaton@invernesscounty.ca.