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STRATFORD VOLUME 4 • ISSUE 25
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JULY 25, 2025
Jennifer Anderson
Jamie Gerber
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The Common Stratford asks for community support AMANDA MODARAGAMAGE Times Reporter
The well-loved restaurant the Common, located at 80 Wellington St., is asking for community support following a fire that caused significant smoke damage throughout the space. Owners Cassandre Frost and Tim Otsuki were on vacation when they received a midnight call in March from their neighbour, Jamie Crosby, owner of Lovage, who reported seeing smoke billowing from outside the restaurant. By the time fire and police arrived, the fire had extinguished itself. But the extensive smoke damage was just the beginning of a string of unexpected challenges the restaurant would face. While insurance is covering most of the damage, Frost and Otsuki say the incident revealed costly code compliance issues that weren’t previously known. The kitchen exhaust system, for example, was found to be non-compliant with current standards and now requires a $150,000 upgrade, including a new permanent and accessible ladder for safe cleaning. Frost added that beyond the damage and mounting repair costs, they’ve also experienced the loss of some unique and sentimental items – including a crystal chandelier that recently went missing and hasn’t been recovered. CONTINUED TO PAGE 3
Lincoln Ikeicher, 11, and Weston Smith, 12, enjoy a sunny afternoon at the Stratford skate park while Jett Smith (not pictured), watched from the sidelines.
(AMANDA MODARAGAMAGE PHOTO)
Former treasurer André Morin named City of Stratford’s new CAO CONNOR LUCZKA Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Despite receiving applications from coast to coast to fill the vacant top staffer position, the City of Stratford’s next chief administrative officer (CAO) won’t have to be flown in from far away. On July 21, during a special city council meeting, council unanimously voted to appoint Stratford resident André Morin as its next CAO. Morin, who is currently the director of corporate services and treasurer with the Town of St. Marys, has an extensive history working in municipal government. He got
his start in his hometown of Atikokan before moving his family down to southwestern Ontario and working as the director of corporate services and treasurer for Stratford from 2012-17. He was interim CAO in Stratford in 2016. Additionally, he was the regional manager of municipal and stakeholder relations at the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. Speaking with the Times the morning after the news broke, Morin said that he was balancing his emotions. It is a wonderful accomplishment after a long and thorough process, and he was overall excited to share the news. “Today’s been a very up and down day,” Morin said. CONTINUED TO PAGE 2