Mayor Ann Lawlor's April 2025 Message V 2

HALTON HILLS, ON – The April Town of Halton Hills Council meeting included a wide range of updates and decisions that will positively impact our community. From Earth Week announcements, to more heritage property designations and approving over $250K for playground equipment and enhancements in Danby Park, there was good news from virtually every Town department.

One of the highlights was a significant step toward enhancing our natural areas and walking paths. The Town is creating trails and natural linkages among our town’s neighbourhoods. It is a multi-year program connecting urban as well as semi-rural areas. The latest focus is an important section in the historic area of downtown Georgetown along Silver Creek and northward to Wildwood Road in the Glen.

Silver Creek is barely visible to most who travel in the neighbourhood, since it meanders through culverts and in low-lying areas hidden by trees and homes around Queen, Main and Mill streets. (Say, did you know that where the Silver Creek Apartments now stand, people used to paddle canoes in a mill pond known as Wilbur Lake?)

Ecological, property and topographical analysis is planned and then sections of trail will be developed as budget, environmental permits and property arrangements allow. Trail progress will proceed, metre by metre!

Council also heard a presentation this month from our Communications team who manage social media and traditional messaging to Halton Hills residents. We learned about Bluesky, a new emerging social media platform that has been identified as a potential alternative to X. Changes in X have resulted in decreased user engagement and increased concerns over content moderation. In contrast, Bluesky has the potential for rapid user adoption during these times of social and political change.

Council approved the report recommendations that Communications staff will gradually transition from X to Bluesky over time. Our advertising and posts with Facebook and Instagram will continue as in the past.

It’s important that the Town stays current with media trends so that we continue to reach our audience and keep residents informed, engaged and educated about local affairs. We want to be on your dial!

As a final note, when you are considering your federal ballot choices, local issues should be on your mind. While Halton Hills might seem like a long way from Ottawa and Parliament, federal government decisions can have a big impact on municipal operations. The federal government funds municipal projects related to infrastructure (including roads and bridges), housing (social and affordable), green infrastructure and climate change adaptation programs.

Municipalities in Ontario are non-partisan and are asking all candidates, regardless of stripe, to consider local government needs in their election platforms.