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The Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference took place early this week and many representatives from our local municipalities and counties attended.
Each year the conference brings representatives from rural municipalities together with provincial and federal leaders to exchange ideas and lobby for funding and infrastructure support.
Among several Renfrew County delegations, Warden Peter Emon met with Matthew Rae, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Housing, to discuss the County of Renfrew’s concept for a ‘Campus of Care’ known as Generations, a project that would create a “seniors’ campus of care integrated with child-care spaces.”
Emon along with Coun. Anne Giardini, also met with Michael Parsa, Minister of Children, Community and Social Services to urge the government to reconsider further funding reductions to Family and Children’s Services of Renfrew County.
On day two of the conference, Hastings Lennox and Addington MPP Ric Bresee shared that he had met with leaders from Tudor and Cashel and Limerick townships, where they discussed forestry issues with Minister Kevin Holland.
Madawaska Valley Mayor Mark Wilmer attended the conference along with township officials, as did Killaloe Mayor David Mayville who attended with councillors Smith and MacMillan.
In Bancroft Mayor Paul Jenkins and councilor Kevin Lawrence attended the conference.
Warden Bob Mullin also attended along with Hastings County officials.
The ROMA conference ran from Jan18-20.