Supporting small business, and more

Belleville has thrown its support behind a resolution from Nairn and Hyman Township calling for the government to stop the shutdown of small businesses during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

It points out small businesses do not contribute to the number of pandemic cases.

Nairn and Hyman Township Council forwarded a resolution to all provincial municipalities, calling on the Ontario Government to stop the mandatory closures of these businesses, which it deemed “non-essential” during COVID-19-related lockdowns, while allowing big box retailers such as Walmart, Costco and others to remain open in full.

The township says, “Our municipality believes that these businesses are essential for not only taxes collected by the municipality, but also the mental health of the owners, employees and clients of these businesses.”

At city council’s meeting Monday, Councillor Garnet Thompson raised the issue, pointing out these types of businesses only allow a few people in store at one time as opposed to larger operations that stay open and allow larger numbers..

Ï’d  like to not have the government shut down these small retailers, and leave these small retailers so you don’t have a complete dive in our economy. You’ll get these small business people  going bankrupt. There’ll be mental issues.”

Council agreed and supported the resolution.

Another family physician is coming to Belleville.

At its meeting Monday, city council accepted Dr. Kiersten Colbran into the city’s Physician Recruitment Program.

Dr. Colbran is currently finishing her Family Physician Residency through Queen’s University and would open a practice in Belleville by mid-2022 at the latest.

Under the recruitment program the city offers a $150,000 scholarship in exchange for a five-year commitment from the doctor to practice in Belleville.

Around 40 physicians, most family doctors, have taken advantage of the program since its inception in 2007.