Municipal officials are wrapping up two days of virtual meetings at the annual Rural Ontario Municipal Association or ROMA conference.
Mayor Darrin Canniff says the online format poses some challenges, although it may be easier logistically.
“It’s not easier to accomplish things, you need to get out there and meet people face-to-face, particularly if you’ve never met them before,” Canniff says. “Especially if you’re asking for something, you need to have that person touch and it’s obviously lacking. But it’s better than nothing.”
Canniff says regardless of format, the conference provides a good chance for local governments to press their issues with the province.
“A particular one is erosion that’s happening out on Lake Erie and the impact on Talbot Trail. We need provincial money to help fix it, because it’s going to be quite expensive to move the road.”
Canniff says the issue of sidewalk salting is another concern after changes to the Ontario Minimum Maintenance Standards in 2019.
The CK delegation includes Mayor Canniff, Councillors Karen Kirkwood-Whyte and Clare Latimer, as well as CAO Don Shropshire, and G. M. of Community Development Bruce McAllister.
