I hope you and your family are all healthy and well.
My family and I are all well and feeling very grateful for living where we do. We are grateful for our yard to hang out in and the quiet country roads to walk. We are also grateful to be able to work from home and shop locally with ease. There are many shops who have transitioned to online and phone orders and curbside pick-ups. It is more important than ever that we support our local businesses. When you can, please support them in any way including by ordering take-out, purchasing gift cards for future use or leaving positive reviews. These are our neighbours who donate to our local charities, pay municipal taxes and strengthen our community.
Never has it been more obvious that being digitally connected is imperative! From grocery shopping, to paying bills, to working and learning from home, our world requires us to have good, reliable and affordable broadband. I have spoken to Terry Dowdall, our local M.P., regarding this issue and he has assured me that he will hand-deliver councils requests for New Tecumseth to be added to the list of under-serviced area to the Minister responsible. While council has passed many resolutions calling on the Federal government to assist us, we have NEVER heard back. This began over 6 years ago and was with both the Conservative and Liberal governments. Once the pandemic passes, I believe that the need to have all Canadians connected will be something that the government will need to support.
New Tec Connects Program
Council is continuing to work and meet.Two weeks ago we had our first council meeting via telephone and on Monday April 20th we will have our first Zoom council meeting. The town is sending updates which are available by subscribing at https://www.newtecumseth.ca/COVID19
The Town of is adapting to the changing times and needs of our community as a direct result of the COVID-19. They have launched New Tec Connects Program to support the evolving needs of our residents and our community as we work through this difficult time.
Several initiatives are being developed including virtual fitness and activities, partnerships for grocery delivery and the coordination of additional food drives.
In an effort to support our residents who cannot or should not be out making trips within the community to pick up essential needs, we have partnered with the Foodland stores in both Beeton and Tottenham to help deliver supplies to those in need.
To order weekly supplies from the Foodland stores and delivered by the Town of New Tecumseth, please email them with a list of required items, acceptable substitutions and credit card information. Customers must settle the payment with the stores prior to pick up. Delivery will be targeted for the next day. Email at the following addresses:
Tottenham Foodland covering Tottenham: Fld6767tottenham@sobeys.com
Beeton Foodland covering Beeton area and some of Alliston: beetonfoodlanddelivery@gmail.com
For more information on the program, please call the Town of New Tecumseth Customer Service team at 705-435-3900 or 905-729-0057 ext. 1500.
The New Tec Connects Program will also feature virtual fitness and activity videos that will be uploaded to the Town’s corporate social media channels – via facebook and twitter – for all residents to view and participate in.NTo help you keep your mind and body active during this time, they will be sharing 15-30-minute fitness classes, weekly crafts and challenges and more.
There are also supports available to seniors from CHATS including grocery shopping, meals on wheels and caregiver supports. The link to their site is below.
https://www.chats.on.ca
If you are in a position to help, please consider donating to the Tottenham Foodbank. Non-perishable donations can be dropped Tottenham and Beeton Foodland or you can send cheques to:
Our Town Foodbank
P.O. Box 167
Tottenham, ON L0G 1W0
Please keep well and stay safe. Contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Together we will get through this.
Shira Harrison McIntyre
Councillor, Ward 7 New Tecumseth