Belleville Mayor Taso Christopher presents award to 95-year-old Winnifred Perryman, May 24, 2016. (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Belleville has named 95-year-old Winnifred Perryman “Senior Citizen of the Year” for 2016.
Mayor Taso Christopher made the presentation at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.
Perryman is a co-founder of the Quinte Grannies for Africa and helped raise $260,000 over the past few years for grandmothers raising children in Africa.
Perryman, who said she was overwhelmed with the honour, told council she hoped the mayor and council would attend future Grannies’ events to help raise the next quarter million dollars.
Hastings-Lennox and Addington MP Mike Bossio pays tribute to Senior Citizen of the Year Winnifred Perryman who he calls “a special constituent.” May 24, 2016. (Photo: May Thomas/Quinte News)
Planning for the homeless
Belleville council has approved “in principle” a proposal to create a 15-bed homeless centre in the city.
Spokesperson for Grace Inn Homeless Shelter, Kelly Oribine, told councillors last night 800 homeless were turned away from shelters last year.
Councillor Garnet Thompson expressed concern that the group not “duplicate” what other groups are trying to do.
Shelter group chair Jody Jenkins said “there is room for multiple homeless shelters” in the city.
Surveying city hall service
Belleville will take a look at how city hall works with businesses, during its next Business Retention and Expansion Survey.
The most recent BRE survey found that businesses had concerns about some municipal departments, in particular the building and development area.
Last night, city council approved a partnership with the Belleville Chamber of Commerce, that will survey numerous organizations, including Quinte Home Builders, chamber membership, the BDIA and local manufacturers.
The results of the survey would then be used to help form possible changes or adjustments to current policy.
