MAX SMITH AT MUSIC IN THE FIELDS PAGE
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St. Marys Independent
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St. Marys Independent 36 Water St. S., St. Marys ON | 519.284.0041 | info@stmarysindependent.com | www.stmarysindy.com
Issue #1271
Thursday, July 17, 2025
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St. Marys’ Gillian Martinez returns home after helping displaced residents during Manitoba wildfires
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GALEN SIMMONS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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CELEBRATING STONETOWN WITH THE WHOLE COMMUNITY (TURNER ROTH PHOTO) Downtown St. Marys was filled with attendees of the Stonetown Heritage Festival, many of whom danced in the street during the musical performances. See full photos on page 12-13.
Perth South councillors and staff express concern over strong mayor powers Council takes no action for now GALEN SIMMONS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Though some councillors and staff expressed concern over how they might be used in the future, Perth South council has not joined other Ontario municipalities, including neighbouring St. Marys, in expressing opposition to the recently expanded strong mayor powers. After the Province of Ontario officially extended strong mayor powers to 169 more municipalities effective May 1, many municipal councils and experts have expressed concerns over granting heads of councils
unilateral decision-making powers. At Perth South’s July 8 council meeting, township councillors and the mayor had the opportunity to weigh in on the wider implications of these powers. “I’d like to go on the record that I just have serious concerns about this and it being extended,” Coun. Jaime Martin said during the council discussion. “First off, let me say I trust our mayor, but we’re making a decision for future (councils and mayors). I understand we have (these powers) already and it’s not a matter of anyone asking us if we wanted them or not, but I would like to
As wildfires continue to force the evacuation of residents of northern, eastern and western Manitoba to southern cities like Brandon and Winnipeg, one St. Marys resident was on the ground in Brandon assisting evacuees as part of the Red Cross response. At the end of June, St. Marys’ Gillian Martinez returned home after nearly a month’s stay in Brandon, where she was part of the frontline effort to keep track of and rehouse those displaced by the fires. Though she’s volunteered with the Canadian Red Cross locally for the past 15 years, the trip out west was Martinez’s first out-of-province mission with the charity. “I left May 29 and returned home June 21,” Martinez said. “My main role was as what’s called an emergency response team responder/ supervisor. I was sent to Brandon, Man., and we were responsible for what’s called a reception centre with the group of volunteers there. So basically, you receive people who are coming in either by coach or plane or those who have driven down by themselves. They register with you so you know where they are. They could be staying with family or friends or you could then pass them on to the next stage, which is giving them accommodation. That’s one of the other big jobs of that team; to find hotels in the
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