ADULT LEARNING IN ST. MARYS PAGE
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PAGE DCVI WINS WOSSAAThursday, GOLDNovember 20, 2025
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 #1289
Thursday, November 20, 2025
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Won’t You Be My Neighbour: Giving Tuesday Flag raised at the St. Marys town hall
KIM ATLIN ART SHOW
November 22 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
GALEN SIMMONS
BLACK FRIDAY SALE NOV. 28TH
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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STONETOWN PREPARES TO GIVE BACK
(WENDY LAMOND PHOTO)
Mayor Al Strathdee, Giving Tuesday committee members Julie Shackleton, Julie Docker-Johnson and Jackie Cousins, student Brynn Feeney and deputy mayor Brogan Aylward were on hand to raise the Giving Tuesday flag Monday.
WENDY LAMOND
THORNDALE
Stratford Police Service presents police budget estimates for St. Marys in 2026 2026 policing budget estimated at nearly $1.6 million for St. Marys
Displaying beautiful art pieces just in time for Christmas!
ST. MARYS
CHRISTMAS MARKETS BALTIC CRUISE ON DANUBE AUGUST 11-22, 2026 NOV. 26 – DEC. 5, 2026
Independent Reporter
Town council has declared Tuesday, Dec. 2, as Giving Tuesday, a day that encourages people to do a good deed and to help others. Many businesses, service clubs and individuals have joined in the initiative of giving back. Why? Because it makes us smile and feel good to share with those less fortunate or just to show our generosity. Everyone is welcome to participate simply by giving their time, helping a neighbour or making
a donation. Taking one small step starts a ripple effect leading to the world becoming a better place. Committee member Julie Docker-Johnson says this is the ninth year St. Marys has participated. The Giving Tuesday flag was raised on Monday at St. Marys town hall. Watching was Nancy Wojcik’s grade 3/4 class from Holy Name of Mary School. Docker-Johnson spoke to the kids and explained the importance of such an important day and the meaning of Giving Tuesday.
The Town of St. Marys could pay nearly $1.6 million for police services next year according to early 2026 budget estimates presented to the St. Marys community policing advisory committee by the Stratford Police Service (SPS) last week. Stratford police Chief Greg Skinner presented 2026 cost estimates and a proposed 10-year capital plan, both of which have been endorsed by the Stratford Police Services Board but not approved by Stratford council, to the advisory committee at its Nov. 12 meeting. The estimated budget for St. Marys’ portion of police services next year shows an increase from nearly $1.52 million this year to just over $1.55 million in 2026 – the highest police services budget for the town since 2017, when St. Marys paid just over $1.55 million for police services from the OPP before switching to SPS. “(This budget) is a higher increase than we’ve experienced in the past in relation to policing, and I think the primary driver comes down to policing wages when you look at it line by line,” town CAO Brent Kittmer said, introducing the estimated budget to the committee. “In addition, our capital plan is now actually extended out to 10 years, which is very helpful CONTINUED TO PAGE 6
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