Three short updates this week:
First, we’ve just wrapped on the 50th Applefest, and it was a HUGE success. Many, many thanks to all of the volunteers, staff, and supporters who have kept this annual event going for half a century. Our little town nearly doubles in size, one day a year, and it takes an enormous amount of work to make that happen. Cheers to the Applefest Committee, a job well done!
Second, a reminder that tomorrow, September 30th, is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. “The day honours the children who never returned home and Survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.” When I was growing up, I didn’t know that Indian Residential Schools existed – even though the last one closed when I was 12. Having an annual reminder of that fact is critically important, to acknowledge the wrongs that occurred and to commit to reconciling with Indigenous peoples. What reconciliation itself looks like will vary from place to place and person to person, and the policy side of reconciliation happens largely at the Federal level. But locally, the Municipality of Brighton engages in reconciliation through fostering good relationships with Alderville First Nation, recognizing the treaties that bind our use of this land, and acknowledging these things at the start of every meeting. As we meet tomorrow, we will be wearing orange shirts, a recognized way to commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Third, Monday’s council meeting is happening at 5pm instead of the usual 6:30, and is a special council meeting for the purpose of getting an update on the wastewater treatment plant redesign. Brighton was unsuccessful in our first attempt to get a grant to cover the plant costs, but there’s another grant intake this fall. Our goal is to emphasize just how many new homes depend on us getting this new plant. In the meantime, if you want to see the design update presentation, you can come to our 5:00 meeting (or stream it here).
Have a great week, and let me know if there’s anything you’d like to hear more about in this space!