in Chatsworth, Grey Highlands, Southgate, West Grey
January 13, 2025
From left to right: Grey Highlands Deputy Mayor Dane Nielsen, Mayor Paul McQueen, Markdale Jubilee Task Force member Elaine Smyth, Councillor Tom Allwood, Markdale Jubilee Task Force members Jeff Wilson, Robert Reid.
BY SOUTHGREY.CA STAFF — Grey Highlands Mayor Paul McQueen ushered in the new year on Saturday, January 11 with plenty of treats, cake and coffee at Walter Harris Memorial Library in Markdale. The annual Mayor's New Year's Levee was postponed from its originally-scheduled date a week earlier, due to the massive snow storm that hit the area on January 4. But the weather on this day, cooperated for an event that showcased many achievements of 2024 and brought an optimistic message for the coming year ahead.
The mayor pointed to the completion of road reconstruction in Flesherton as a major leap forward for the municipality's roadways, as well as improvements to the crossroad at Alice and Elizabeth Streets. New Devonleigh Homes development in Markdale, completed construction at Kimberley Hall, a new Bulk Water and Sewage Dumping Station and the launch of the Grey Highlands Hazardous Waste Program. Many events also made McQueen's list of great things in 2024. The annual RAM Rodeo and South Grey Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Gala were two very exciting and successful happenings among many others.
Colleen Boer was named Citizen of the Year and presented with a plaque and flowers. From left to right: Grey Highlands Councillor Paul Allen, Deputy Mayor Dane Nielsen, Colleen Boer, Mayor Paul McQueen, Councillors Nadia Dubyk, Tom Allwood.
A presentation was also made by Councillor Paul Allen, who spoke on behalf of the Markdale Jubilee Committee, about the Time Capsule Project and noted that ideas for the contents of the capsule need to be submitted by the end of March. Local business owner and Jubilee Committee member, Robert Reid revealed the Reconstruction of the Centennial Gates Project and a competition to create a new design for the gates as well as secondary signage and rebranding for the town of Markdale. Details of the contest are to be announced at a later date.
According to McQueen, development of the new Beavercrest School should begin sometime around March Break but could not give a specific date. The mayor also hinted at another milestone celebration to come in 2026 when the amalgamated municipality of Grey Highlands reaches the 25th anniversary mark.
Deputy Mayor Dane Nielsen gave a few details of his involvement with the Rural Ontario Municipalities Association (ROMA) at the provincial level of government and Councillor Nadia Dubyk spoke about her involvement with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) at the federal level.
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