Callander is preparing to celebrate its public works crew.
May 19th to 25th is recognized as Public Works Week in both Canada and the United States. The week recognizes the importance of public works crews and highlight the essential roles public works employees play in our lives.
“From our sanitation systems and maintenance of our roads to the parks, facilities, and playgrounds, public works are an indispensable part of any functional municipality,” detailed Tim McKenna, Manager of Operations, in a report to council.
Council fully supports hosting a Public Works Open House to be held at Centennial Park on Saturday, May 25th, from one to three in the afternoon.
The event will “further enhance public awareness of this department,” McKenna noted, “and celebrate our public works employees.”
Plus, there will be heavy equipment on site. That’s right, the crew are bringing the machines to the parking lot of Centennial Park – so as not to destroy the park’s grass – and the kids are invited to sit in and explore the equipment. Maybe the experience will inspire the next generation of operators.
Staff will be on hand to answer your questions about the gear and will have a variety of promotional materials outlining the services the Operations Department is responsible for in Callander.
You can also learn all about the provincial standards and regulations the team abides by, and if there are any questions about snowplow routes, garbage and recycling routes, or queries pertaining to water and sewer, this will be your time.
Indeed, staff plan to invite Green for Life and the Ontario Clean Water Agency to be at the event.
McKenna looks forward to the day, noting it’s a great way to talk with residents, and provide information. It’s also a good opportunity to encourage more people to join the sector.
“Municipal equipment operators and labourers are becoming more difficult to find,” McKenna said, “and it is important to highlight the great aspects of a career in this field.”
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
