PAWS Act Now In Effect 🐱🐶🐹

This is great news! Last year I wrote a letter to the Ontario Government, sharing our community’s concern about the OSPCA enforcement changes. Our voices matter. And now our animals will have a louder voice too!

“Whereas there is the potential for the download to municipal governments regarding the enforcement of animal cruelty by-laws;

And Whereas OPSCA enforcement activities have varied considerably across the province depending, in part, on whether a specific municipality offers animal services or standards of care. At present, municipal bylaw enforcement officers lack the necessary powers for animal cruelty investigations. In addition, police officers and enforcement officers do not have the training required to conduct this work.

Therefore Be It Resolved that correspondence be sent to the Ministry of the Solicitor General, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, requesting, that the province adopt a provincial service delivery model for animal cruelty enforcement based on other provincial models or a hybrid of these and that municipalities be provided a minimum of 6 months for a transition for the determination of municipal regulations and hiring of additional staff to address these responses.”

Ferndale Drive Speed and Commercial Vehicle Data To Be Collected

Hello,

I had a meeting with Sgt. Brooks and some residents today about safety concerns on Ferndale Drive, and I wanted to update everyone that in the next few weeks there will be new technology used to record the speed and length of vehicles travelling along this road. Our ward is the first in Barrie to have this new technology.

This will provide the Barrie Police Service with precise timeframes when speeding occurs most, AND will detect how many commercial vehicles are using this road. I will receive this data over the next few months.

Two residents from the ward have provided Sgt. Brooks with a list of companies using Ferndale Drive for commercial vehicle use – thank you. A civilian will be contacting these companies to remind them that they are not to be using this road without a permit. The fines, if they do so, will be clearly communicated.

I will keep everyone updated as the data is collected.

As for speed cameras, the city clerk has informed me that this is on city staff’s agenda to be brought to council again in the near future now that the Ontario Government has given municipalities permission to use them if approved by city council.

As for decreasing the speed limit, the poll I conducted showed only a small difference between the ‘yes’ and ’no’ votes collected from residents about whether or not they would want this. Sgt. Brooks has also informed me that decreasing the speed limit can also result in aggressive driving when traffic gets backed up because of slower moving vehicles. So, we have to remember that even though what seems to be an easy solution to one problem, can result in the formation of a new one.

When the data comes in from this new technology I will be requesting even more police presence during the most problematics times, and I also hope to see a decrease in commercial vehicle use of the road once the Barrie Police civilian contacts the companies which are using it, possibly without a permit.

Thank you everyone for your advocacy and passion for community safety!

If you ever have any further policing questions please don’t hesitate to contact Barrie Police

And I am always here to answer any ward and city questions at any time. Natalie.Harris@barrie.ca

Happy New Year First Responders

‪New Year’s Eve 6 years ago with my student, Virginia. How has so much time gone by? Wishing all of first responders who are working tonight a safe and vomit-free shift! … Ok, who am I kidding? There’s going to be vomit! 🤷🏻‍♀️ #firstresponders #happynewyear2020 ‬

Dog Found Safe After Some Community Detective Work. And Puppies For Sale!

My community is THE BEST! Earlier today, a lady posted that she witnessed a dog being struck on Ferndale Dr.

It wasn’t long for a search party to be formed with the help of Pawsitive Ground Search & Rescue South Simcoe (705) 727-2789.

I started by walking Hawthorne and the path to Cumming and at one point I could hear a dog sort of crying. I followed it and found a male husky tied up, but outside the gate of the backyard. I went to speak to the home owner and there was a bit of a language barrier. From what I initially gathered this was just a coincidence that her dog was a husky and the dog that was on Ferndale was a husky too.

I carried on and looked some more, but when the dashcam video was posted, I zoomed in and was pretty sure this was the same dog. I thought, maybe the car spun the dog around but it’s ok? I wasn’t sure so I went back and let the other ladies who were searching know.

After a bit more conversation, I discovered that the dogs had indeed gotten out around the time of the video, but after a close look by myself and another search-party member, we agreed that they were not injured.

Best ending… so when I asked to see the second dog, the home owner opened a bedroom door and 6 puppies ran out!

She is looking for loving homes for them. And she is getting a more secure latch for the back gate. 😄

Her name is Nena. If you are interested in the puppies let me know and I will give you her contact.

Thank you so much to Sarah Gail, Stephanie Lyn, Madi Dipietro, Judy Sanderson, Sue Holden Morandini and Helen Elizabeth for stepping out so quickly to assist! Great work everyone

Looking Back At 2019…

I am looking back at certain moments over 2019, and being City Councillor for Ward 6 in #Barrie definitely fills my photo storage the most! Here are just SOME of my amazing memories. I am so grateful for everyone who has supported me through this … somewhat bumpy… nonetheless wonderful experience so far. Big plans for 2020! #wowivelearnedalot #thankyoucitystaff #isitReferorDefer😁 #collaboration #heyjeffihaveaquestion! #activetransportation #opioidcrisis #addiction #affordablehousing #communitysafety #climatecrisis #provincialdownloading #streetscapeimprovements #connectedcore #cityskyline #rainbowsidewalk #infrastructure #lakesimcoeclean #legalizationofcanabis #communitysafetyandwellbeingcommittee #seniorsadvisorycommittee #housingcommittee #buildingcommittee #planningcommittee #takethebarrietransit #snowplowtracker #mentalwellness #accessibility #capitalandoperationalbudget #dearservicebarrie, ❤️

Merry Christmas Barrie

From my family to yours, merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Eve