Let us introduce the creation of

W.A.T.C.H.

(WARDENS ATTENDING TO COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS)

A Volunteer Citizen’s Action Group in Highlands East

W.A.T.C.H. (Wardens Attending To Community Happenings) is a newly formed action group of volunteer custodians in Highlands East.

OUR MISSION:

• provide a way for citizens of Highlands East to express their concerns about local issues of interest
• gather information from Municipal Council and other relevant sources
• help to organize forums or make presentations about community concerns
• help strengthen communities by allowing citizens to play an active role in major issues
• affect decisions impacting the livelihood and enjoyment of everyone

COMMUNITY WARDENS

Community Wardens are approachable volunteers, available to hear about ideas of interest and issues of concern. They gather and share information and help keep people informed. They encourage participation in local issues and help create W.A.T.C.H. groups to pursue issues and interests. Think about becoming a Community Warden.

We invite all citizens of Highlands East to participate in helping to fulfill this mission.

The volunteer base is growing, and so far includes Jim Mackie of Cardiff; Mary Barker, Joan Barton, Dave Burton, Janis Cole, Tom Huffman, Ron Reid and Jan Simon of Wilberforce; Sue Buzza of Tory Hill; Brent Clarkson, Tim Drew and Chuck Viner of Gooderham; Nora Pasley and Sheila Ingarra of Irondale; and Joanne Nicks of Toronto. Anyone else interested in getting involved is encouraged to join at any time.

W.A.T.C.H. GROUPS

Each Community in Highlands East is encouraged to form a W.A.T.C.H. group to address issues in their specific community.

• In Wilberforce a Water W.A.T.C.H. has formed, and Irondale has an Asphalt W.A.T.C.H.
• An MPAC W.A.T.C.H. is coming together to monitor property tax assessments.
• Additional W.A.T.C.H. groups can form as needed, to resolve issues or promote ideas.

Anyone with an interest or expertise in a current issue is encouraged to join any Community W.A.T.C.H., and try to see issues through if they can. A W.A.T.C.H. might form in one community, or several, or Wardens from each community might form a Highlands East W.A.T.C.H. for something affecting the whole Municipality, such as an MPAC W.A.T.C.H.

The formation of W.A.T.C.H. and some initial examples of W.A.T.C.H. groups are meant as a starting point, to spark interest. Additional ideas or issues anyone might like to see addressed could be shared with Community Wardens, or, consider becoming a Warden yourself, or think about joining a W.A.T.C.H. or forming a new one anywhere in Highlands East.

For more information, or to become a Community Warden or join a group, please contact: Nora Pasley in Irondale 447-2572, Chuck Viner in Gooderham 447-2266, Sue Buzza in Tory Hill 447-2181, or Jan Simon in Wilberforce 448-2868.