Dysart overhauling landfills

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March 13, 2021

JQ - Haliburton landfill overhaul - 1 — Many tonnes of compostable waste end up in municipal landfills around Haliburton. File.

Dysart at al council is planning to make significant changes to waste management services, including reducing hours, a three-bag household limit and more restrictions for construction and industrial waste.

Staff proposed changes to committee of the whole March 9. It came in response to a series of reports, including a service delivery review, recommending the municipality alter how it runs its landfills.

The changes include reducing hours at the Kennisis Lake, Harcourt and West Bay landfills. The municipality will also change its weekly residential waste limit from one cubic tonne to three clear bags.

“Gone are the days we go to the dump whenever you want,” Roberts said. “People will adjust to whatever the changes are. I think we have to be fair to the whole township … Everything we are doing in this sector is costing more and more year after year.”

The changes are proposed to take effect May 1. Kennisis Lake will lose Saturday openings in the winter. Harcourt will lose its Thursday winter hours and in the summer shift to 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays and holiday Mondays. West Bay will now be closed on Tuesdays and have its summer hours shifted to 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday and 12-6 p.m. on holiday Monday. West Guilford will open for two additional hours on Sundays in the summer. Staff justified the changes based on traffic counts and expect to save more than $17,000 annually.

Council also agreed to stop the collection of asbestos-containing materials, contaminated soil, large demolition projects. It is also upping its construction and demolition waste fees from $50 per cubic yard to $60 and from $100 per cubic yard to $120 if it contains garbage or recycling.

Landfills will also not accept five or more cubic yards of garbage from industrial, commercial, or institutional generators and will not accept compacted garbage.

Environmental manager, John Watson, said many recommendations have come forward from complementary reports well-researched by consultants.

“Dysart is not necessarily leading the pack,” Watson said. “In some instances, we would be catching up to those practices in neighbouring communities.”

However, council refused several of the changes, including upping fees from $2 to $5 for several household waste violations, such as containing 10 per cent visible recycling.

Council did not come to a decision on yard waste, currently accepted for free. Staff proposed a $5 fee for bags and $10 per cubic yard of loose material. They directed staff to bring a follow-up report with more information.

Deputy Mayor Patrick Kennedy said he was concerned about increased confrontation and slowdowns by upping fees. He added that people could dump yard waste on the roadside.

“This looks like minimum revenue, maximum aggravation for our taxpayers,” Kennedy said.

Council also considered a proposal to open the Haliburton landfill up from five to seven days per week due to high traffic counts but balked at the $52,226 annual price tag for staffing that.

“It’s a lot of money,” Roberts said. “We have a lot of opportunity for people to get to the landfill.”

The slate of changes will be forwarded to council for discussion and final approval. Council’s next meeting is March 23.

The Interview: Ashley McAllister

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Lisa Gervais

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March 11, 2021

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Q: Tell us a bit about yourself?

A: I grew up in Haliburton, went to JDH and HHSS. My mom started a video rental store called Press Play to teach my brother and I job skills when we were in high school and I wrote a very embarrassing movie review column for the local paper called the Flick Chick.

After university, I moved back to Haliburton, bought a house on the same lake I grew up on, about four years ago. I volunteer for a few different events, including Hike Haliburton and Fashion Fallies and I’m on the committee for our local Rotaract club and the Highland Yard.

Q: What have you been doing prior to this position?

A: I was the national manager for a non-profit organization called Lawn Summer Nights for seven years. LSN was a lawn bowling tournament targeted toward young professionals. During my time there, we raised more than $4.5 million through peer-to-peer fundraising events for Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

Q: How do you feel about getting the AG job?

A: I’m excited. I love Haliburton, and moving home meant that I was able to reconnect with a lot of people. But since I was working remotely for an organization that wasn’t based here, it felt like I was “in” the community without actually being a part of it, especially since my job meant I travelled a lot in the summer when Haliburton really shines. Being able to bring my experience with fundraising, special events, and non-profit work to Abbey Gardens has given me the opportunity to actively engage with the community, particularly during a time where the region is seeing a lot of new growth and change.

Q: Clearly at AG, it’s not just a job – there is a philosophy there – what can you tell me about how your ideals are in synch with the vision there.

A: Everything Abbey Gardens does is rooted in sustainability and a desire to serve the community. The local food initiatives, educational programming, and business partners on site contribute to the economic development of Haliburton County. Abbey Gardens is meeting a need to provide activities, jobs, and of course, locally grown food that stays in our community.

The work I’ve done with Rotaract on projects like the Basic Needs Bags or the work we do at Highland Yard for Places for People is also rooted in that same goal, to support every member of our community in as many ways as we can. It feels like a good fit.

Q: A lot has been done to date, what other plans are there in the works?

A: I’m very fortunate that Heather (Reid) has left such a strong foundation for me. There’s a solid team that are truly excellent at what they do, and so the things that make Abbey Gardens so special, like the garden, Food Hub, and educational programming will continue to grow, under their expertise, as the needs of the community do.

My goal is to build on that foundation and focus on new initiatives that can increase our fundraising reach and allow us to create more diverse opportunities for visitors to interact with the site. Abbey Gardens is such a fascinating destination, and there’s a lot of excitement around the things we’re doing with our existing audience. Extending that reach so that more people can come in and experience the Food Hub, tour the gardens, meet the heritage animals, walk the trails – that’s going to remain the core objective of our development plans.

Q: What do you bring to the organization?

A: I feel very lucky that I have the perspective of a local, someone who grew up here and worked in the community as a teenager, coupled with my professional experience, working for a non-profit with a national reach in partnership with a large, well-known charity. It allows me to take what I’ve learned growing an organization to a multimilliondollar donor base and apply it to an organization that serves my community.

My family is here, my friends are here, and living here myself I know what the gaps are in the County and what needs we need to meet as a community to help us all flourish. I’m grateful that I get to bring my ideas for how we can better leverage the passionate volunteer and donor base we have here in Haliburton to help us address those thing

Vote for Alex and his pickle soup

By

Lisa Gervais

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March 11, 2021

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A well-known local chef is vying for the title of the world’s Favorite Chef.

Alex McCracken, best known for his catering company, The In House Chef, is part of an online competition being hosted by celebrity chef, Eddie Matney. The competition is benefitting Feeding America, since it’s U.S.-based.

The winner will receive $50,000 and be featured in a two-page advertising spread in ‘Bon Appetit’ magazine.

Public voting will determine the winner, to be announced on April 8.

McCracken said he decided to enter the contest after it came up in one of his feeds on Facebook.

“And I thought, what the heck?”

Online voting is making the local Facebook rounds.

“I’m well-known around the County, I have many clients (past and present) and have created memorable weddings, reunions, birthdays, dinner parties, etc. for many local people,” he said.

If he wins, he would like to begin production of his signature pickle soup. In addition, he said he would make a donation to local food banks.

McCracken has participated in, donated time and gift certificates and prizes to many local fundraisers in the County through Sir Sandford Fleming College and ‘Feast of Foods’ and other fundraisers to benefit local food banks and related causes.

Turning 51 this week, he has been a chef for 30 years.

He became certified as a chef in 1994 (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology). Prior to that he worked in hospitality and has always had a keen interest in cooking. He said it was fostered by his grandmother who taught him how to bake.

Helen and Moss McCracken were wellknown to the students of Haliburton Highlands Secondary School growing up as they ran the cafeteria kitchen.

The Lochlin resident started The In House Chef in 2000. Prior to that, he worked in just about every resort and restaurant in the area, from the Wigamog, to Bonnieview, The Pinestone, Sir Sam’s, Old Country House and Twin Lakes Resort.

To vote, go to favchef.com/2021/alexmccracken

Ethical vaccinations

By

Lisa Gervais

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March 11, 2021

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by Dr. Nell Thomas

We are experiencing the largest vaccination campaign in human history.

Thanks to global collaboration of more than 1,500 agencies, we are witnessing an unprecedented choreographed-on-thefly immunization program that has, in three months, administered 349,398,520 vaccines – as of March 9 – globally. The most rapid and complex vaccine rollout in history requires creative choreographers, in this case the World Health Organization (WHO), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (founded by Bill and Melinda Gates). Together, these powerful groups are leading COVAX, a global vaccine-sharing plan to ensure all countries have access to vaccinations.

Backed by the UN and supported on the ground by Unicef (a partner in delivery of the vaccines), COVAX is part of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, a ground-breaking global collaboration that is accelerating the development, production and equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines. They plan to obtain and distribute two billion doses of vaccine by the end of 2021. That includes 1.3 billion to the developing regions that are eligible for support through the pooled resources available from COVAX (92 lower income economies are eligible).

Equitable access. Isn’t it a warm feeling to know that everyone will have equal access to COVID-19 vaccines, regardless of ability to pay? Not including COVID-19, vaccinating saves two to three million lives annually.

Within Canada, extensive ethical analyses have guided the phased rollout of COVID19 vaccination. Who is most vulnerable to infection? Who is most at risk of contracting the virus? And of those, who is most likely to have complications, or die? Who can society not risk losing in this pandemic? Who, most reasonably, is able to wait a little longer to be immunized? It is no surprise that our most vulnerable, our long-term care residents, were first to receive their vaccines.

All of these difficult questions would not be necessary if there was an instant and abundant supply of vaccine, and a magical wand to distribute them. But resources are limited and strategic planning is unfolding in real time by people learning critical details (how to store, ship, unpack, prepare, how many vaccines are coming, from where, and to where) every hour of each new day.

In Ontario, the three-phase rollout is on target. Data as of March 8: 21,882 daily doses administered, 912,486 total doses so far, and 273,676 people fully vaccinated. In Canada, as of March 6, 565,719 people have received their second dose, 1,821,470 have received their first dose.

And as of March 8, globally, there have been 116,521,281 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 2,589,548 deaths reported.

But some people remain hesitant, despite the very positive track record of immunization. Remember that COVID Corner article on Smallpox eradication? The only disease to have been successfully eradicated by vaccination. How have vaccines changed human history? The average number of smallpox deaths annually per million people between the years 1700 and 1797, when there were no vaccines, was 3,000. That annual average dropped to 417 between the years 1838 and 1853 when vaccination was optional, and dropped again to 214 between 1857 and 1866 when vaccination was compulsory. And then when vaccination was enforced, between the years 1889 and 1898, the number dropped to 10.

The Canadian Institute for Health Information reported the total number of health care workers infected with COVID19 has tripled since July, 2020. By January 15, 2021, health care workers accounted for over 65,920 (less than nine per cent) of Canada’s 695,707 confirmed cases. In Canada, as of February 27, 52.8 per cent of health care workers and 85.29 per cent of seniors living in group settings had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Now that sounds like ethical vaccination.

A pandemic year

By

Lisa Gervais

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March 11, 2021

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As Haliburton County marks the one-year anniversary of this global pandemic, it seemed fitting to reflect on the year that was and ponder what the remainder of 2021 may hold.

In many ways, COVID-19 has highlighted the very best, and very worst, of the Highlands.

The best?

Living in a rural setting has insulated the County from the worst of this pandemic. It is astounding to think that we have had only one death that can somehow be attributed to it.

The fact there have been only 51 cases to date, three hospitalizations, and no new cases for about a month is something to be celebrated.

It may be due to our geographic isolation, versus the City of Kawartha Lakes and Northumberland County. It might be attributable to people following public health guidelines. It could be just luck. Whatever the reason, we remain grateful.

Parts of our economy have flourished. We have seen the real estate and building industries take off. People have fled, and continue to flee, the GTA to buy or build locally. New builds and renovations have kept the tradespeople of the County busy and it’s been reflected in the sales at some retail stores, particularly hardware. We’ve also seen garden centres flourish.

We have also seen social service agencies – and the general public – respond to those most in need. Whether SIRCH and its frozen meals or food banks, the community has endeavoured to ensure no one goes hungry. There have been clothing drives, the 4Cs Lily Ann, the Thrift Warehouse and church-based organizations to make sure no one is without clothing. The YWCA Peterborough-Haliburton makes sure women and children at risk, who reach out, have shelter. And organizations such as Places for People and the KLH Housing Corporation continue to work towards affordable housing targets. On the mental health side of the ledger, agencies have stepped up to the plate.

While the economy has sustained some major hits – thanks to two lengthy lockdowns – the business community has been resilient. We have not seen many businesses close. They have somehow held on. Supports from upper levels of government have helped, including the millions of dollars the Haliburton County Development Corporation has been able to dish out.

The worst?

Probably the discord between full-time and seasonal residents. Fear can be ugly and divisive. The vitriol appears to have died down. With spring here and cottagers to arrive again en masse from May, we would hope a peaceful co-existence can return.

One only has to peek at social media to see how the stress has caused some people to lash out. As a community, we have been less tolerant. We have been more judgmental. We have been selfish.

Looking to the remainder of 2021, we are now hearing that every one of us who wants should be vaccinated by June 20. It is hard to know how our summer will look. Already some major events have been cancelled for a second year. We anticipate an abnormal summer, though not as peculiar as the summer of 2020. The fall should bring a return to normalcy.

Much has been learned. The Highlands has shown itself to be a wonderful place to ride out a pandemic (Internet and cell challenges not withstanding). We’ll never take for granted our lakes, rocks, trees and wide-open spaces again. We’ll heal and hopefully be a kinder and more gentle community as we close this remarkable chapter in all of our lives.

Dorset tower staying shut after property opens

By

Lisa Gervais

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March 11, 2021

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Algonquin Highlands Emergency Control Group (EOCG) has decided the Dorset Tower property will reopen for the season May 17, but the tower structure itself will remain off-limits.

Council discussed the decision at its March 4 meeting. The only thing the EOCG didn’t decide is how much of a fee reduction the municipality will offer visitors for the loss of the popular Dorset climb and vantage point.

Manager of parks, recreation and trails, Chris Card, said that during EOCG discussions Feb. 17, it was decided the tower structure should remain closed because of difficulties in ensuring proper disinfection, social distancing, and the staffing required. However, people could still access peek-a-boo rock, other groundbased lookouts and the gift shop, he said.

With that in mind, he said the EOCG was recommending a discounted rate of 25 per cent in fees for visiting the attraction.

“The 25 per cent reduction would reflect the loss of one of the four attractions available while ensuring revenue to offset the operating costs of the location, which will not decrease,” Card said in a written report.

He emphasized that costs at the tower will remain the same despite the discount.

“This would allow us to get some people through the gate where last year we still had costs associated with managing some of the traffic around the tower in the form of OPP traffic control etcetera without bringing in any revenues,” he said.

However, Deputy Mayor Liz Danielsen said the tower is the greatest attraction, so urged the EOCG to consider a larger reduction, perhaps 40 or 50 per cent. Coun. Lisa Barry agreed. Coun. Julia Shortreed noted it was not a lot of money either way.

Coun. Jennifer Dailloux wondered about shutting down the tower property completely during peak leaf season in 2021 to offset the need for OPP control and “pretty steep” billing.

However, Mayor Carol Moffatt said even with the property closed in 2020 “there was still a bit of a circus.” She said the $30,000 OPP bill can be anticipated again this year “because the message just doesn’t seem to get out there.”

Card said the OPP did lay trespassing charges last year as people were lining up and not showing much regard to barricades and signage.

Council decided to send the discount discussion back to the EOCG.

When a decision is made, it will be posted on the Tower website, there will be signage at the entrance, and gatehouse staff would explain the situation before taking people’s funds, Card said.

Council also voted to resume taking registrations at the Haliburton Highlands Water Trails effective March 29. Card said they would still have to charge a $10 per COVID-19 campsite cancellation, as they have associated costs.

Summer event cancellations

The Township of Algonquin Highlands EOCG is cancelling Stanhope Heritage Day, Dorset Heritage Day and Oxtongue Lake Community Centre Canada Day celebrations for 2021.

“This decision is being made in consideration of the timelines required for the organizing of these events, which includes the dedication and commitment of the many volunteers associated with running them,” a March 8 media release stated.

It added that the Dorset Arts, Crafts and Antiques Sale and Dorset Community Garage Sale will be assessed relative to the state of the pandemic.

Road surface treatment

Council awarded the tender for 2021 surface treatments. Interim operations manager, Brian Nicholson, said they did a joint tender with the County of Haliburton and received four bids.

The winning bid was Miller Paving Limited for $245,899.80 plus taxes. The township has budgeted $265,235. The roads put forward for single surface treatment with a fog seal applied are: Elliot Road, Tom Parris Road, Gervais Road, Algonquin Outfitters Road, Oxtongue Lake Road, Blue Spruce Road, Harris Road and Windy Point Road.

Nicholson said public works would prepare the roads with sweeping and spray patching and it was hoped the work could be done from the beginning of June to the start of September.

Correction: A previous version of this article said council had decided to keep the Dorset Tower structure off-limits for the season. In fact, the decision was made by the municipal emergency operations centre. The Highlander apologizes for the error.

$3.25M to keep seniors at home longer

By

Lisa Gervais

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March 11, 2021

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MPP Scott and Haliburton Paramedics (1) — MPP Laurie Scott (centre) stands with Haliburton paramedics Carla Hill (left) and deputy chief Jo-Ann Hendry. The province announced $3.25 million for the community paramedicine program March 9. Photo submitted.

The province is providing Haliburton County $3.25 million to expand its community paramedicine for long-term care program.

The funding announced March 9 will be used to expand the program, which has paramedics use their expertise to do regular, non-emergency home visits to provide care and reduce emergency hospital trips. The province said the funding initiative, which began October 20 in five other communities, will help seniors on long-term care waitlists stay home longer.

Warden Liz Danielsen spoke positively about the news at a March 10 committee of the whole meeting.

“I look forward to seeing how this will roll out,” Danielsen said. “It’s a fabulous project and I know it’s a lot of work for you [County paramedic services chief] Tim [Waite], but I think it will be worthwhile in the end.”

Waite told council the dollars will be over three years, but logistics need to be worked out and a formal report will come to the March 24 meeting.

However, he reported Jan. 24 that the funding could see upwards of four additional community paramedics hired for full-time, three-year contracts, entirely funded by the provincial government.

“This new funding will help keep our loved ones at home longer and avoid unnecessary trips to the hospital,” Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock MPP Laurie Scott said. “Thanks to our Haliburton County Paramedic Service, this program will help even more seniors and has the potential to delay the need for long-term care.”

The initiative comes in response to increasing demand for long-term care. The province has said it is implementing the paramedicine expansion program in phases, with Haliburton County included in the second part.

Waite said the government is focusing on municipalities that already have community paramedicine with this intake.

“Expanding the program across the province means that more of our loved ones can access services from their own homes, potentially even delaying the need for long-term care,” Minister of Long-Term Care Merrilee Fullerton said.

Waite said Jan. 24 it is not certain whether the province would continue the funding after three years, but added individuals hired could be laid off at the end of the contract if needed.

County committee of the whole did not make a formal resolution March 10 but agreed to let the CAO and warden sign a transfer payment agreement to get the funding rolling.

Deputy warden Patrick Kennedy congratulated Waite for the local program’s success.

“Great program. You’ve really helped it mature and become a provincial leader,” he said.

Missing hikers located in QE II park

By

Lisa Gervais

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March 11, 2021

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After rescuing two hikers from Queen Elizabeth II Wildlands Provincial Park in Minden Hills March 5, OPP reminded hikers this week that proper planning and emergency preparedness are crucial for safety when planning outdoor activities.

Haliburton Highlands station commander, Liane Spong, said that at about 4:19 p.m., they responded to a call from a man saying he and his wife were missing somewhere in park after they went for a hike.

“The caller continued dialing 911 with updates however the cell phone reception was very poor,” Spong said. “The officers immediately responded and began their search.”

She said an OPP helicopter located the two but could not land due to the terrain and conditions.

At that point, Spong said emergency response team members went in utilizing OPP snowmobiles. Due to a water crossing, the ERT members had to walk for approximately 1.2 km to locate the missing hikers.

The 62-year-olds were located in good health.

“Whether your activity is during the summer or winter, on land or water, anywhere in Ontario, proper planning and emergency preparedness is crucial for your safety when planning outdoor activities,” Spong said.

Bridging connections with online art

By

Lisa Gervais

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March 10, 2021

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JQ - Rails end online exhibition - 1 — Curator Laurie Jones stands next to some of the pieces for the Rails End Gallery and Arts Centre’s newest exhibition. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Rails End Gallery and Arts Centre seeks to help bridge the gaps between people with its first-ever online exhibition launched Feb. 27.

Titled “Connection,” the show presents submissions from its members, featuring a wide array of mediums. Besides a physical gallery still viewable at the centre under additional public protocols, it is also available on the centre’s website, with a guided virtual tour.

Curator Laurie Jones said she learned about the format from the Ontario Society of Artists and it was a way to improve access.

“Not everybody’s comfortable yet with being around, especially in public spaces,” Jones said.

The exhibition is an annual salon show, drawing from local talent, Jones said. The pandemic prompted the move to an online addition – and the theme for the show itself.

“It came up out of my own cravings for connections and missing people,” Jones said. “In many ways, we’re looking for alternate ways to connect.”

Artist Rosanna Dewey’s exhibition piece depicts one of those ways. It is an oil painting entitled “Zoom Room” depicting a call on the online meeting platform. She said the show’s theme was poignant.

“It’s so hard to be connected,” Dewey said. “It really made me think about what was going on and what my connections were.”

She said she had some skepticism about the online concept but found it turned out appealing.

“You want to be able to get up close to the artwork and you get more of a sense of the piece,” Dewey said. “But I found that people were still interested. People still needed to go and experience art, even if it was through a Zoom format.”

Arts and Crafts Festival on pause

But the community will miss one big way to connect with art in the summer. The Haliburton Art and Craft Festival – the gallery’s flagship event and fundraiser – is cancelled for the second straight year due to the pandemic, Jones said. She said it would be too logistically challenging to ensure safety amidst the pandemic.

“We don’t want to introduce any risk to our volunteers or staff or vendors or patrons,” Jones said. “Maintaining sanitary conditions would be impossible.”

Jones said the centre needs to decide early to inform artists and give them time to plan. She said there might be alternate programming, but that is being worked out.

For now, the Rails End is still putting on exhibitions and bringing arts to the community.

“We’re not trying to sell anything. We’re trying to provide an experience,” Jones said. “Hopefully, they feel the connection with the creative arts.”

“Connection” runs until April 17 and is available at the centre itself or railsendgallery.com.

County supports long-term care changes

By

Lisa Gervais

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March 7, 2021

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JQ - County Long-term care - 1 — County council wrote a letter of support for a local coalition trying to improve long-term care. Above, Terry Hartwick at a long-term care rally. File photo.

County council agreed to support a movement for improvements at long-term care (LTC) homes, though disagreed with local advocates’ desire to end for-profit homes.

Council voted to write a letter of support for the Haliburton-CKL (City of Kawartha Lakes) Long-Term Care Coalition. The advocacy group is joining with others across the province to push for improvements, including amending the Canada Health Act to include LTC, guaranteeing four hours of direct care per day for residents, stronger enforcement and a culture change. Councillors spoke in favour of those ideas.

But the coalition’s desire to end private LTC did not garner support and was specifically excluded in the resolution.

“The first four points that you have, I think, are a bold initiative and a great start,” Coun. Brent Devolin said. “The supply going forward, will public initiatives alone be enough to look after all of us?”

Coalition co-chair, Bonnie Roe, cited the Ontario Health Coalition, a province-wide organization also calling for the end to for-profit long-term care. Its May 2020 analysis found COVID-19 deaths in homes with outbreaks were higher in private (nine per cent) versus non-profit (5.25 per cent) or publicly-owned (3.62 per cent).

The Canadian military also released a report about terrible conditions at homes it intervened in last May, which prompted the province to start an independent commission. Four of those homes were privately-owned.

“There are some for-profits that are excellent, but generally speaking, they do not follow the standards,” Roe said.

“People are asking, ‘why are there private profits attached to us as a society caring for our elders’?” co-chair, Mike Perry, said. “Why was that ever seen as a profit-making venture?”

Warden Liz Danielsen said the Eastern Ontario Warden’s Caucus has identified LTC as a priority. But she added the caucus is not yet in favour of ending private facilities.

Coun. Carol Moffatt said she can attest to the challenges of eldercare and there is a drastic need for better support for health workers.

“More people to do the job,” Moffatt said. “We also maybe need to be careful of what you wish for in terms of potential downloading. How do we all as a province push for the changes that are required, without it going off the cliff and then landing in the laps of municipalities for increased costs?”

Perry thanked council for the support.

“There’s so much common room and so much common ground for this moving forward,” he said. “That’s where we find hope in all this tragedy recently.”