Lanark County Council has approved a Social Services policy relating to the implementation of the new youth activity program Active Kids, Bright Futures.

The program aims to support low-income children and youth in Lanark County by increasing access to recreation activities and encouraging... greater community engagement. It is funded through revenue generated from the Warden’s Golf Tournament and a $50,000 allocation in 2026 for its establishment.

Director of Social Services Emily Hollington explained the program will be administered by existing staff with a standardized approach supported by this policy and departmental best practices to ensure families are served fairly, consistently and in accordance with clear eligibility and administration requirements.

Recipients must meet eligibility requirements related to income and assets to receive up to $500 per child to support participation in approved recreational programs. Payments would go directly to service providers. This can cover registration, participation and/or membership fees, required basic equipment (up to $75) and transportation support. Eligible activities include those associated with a recognized organization or provider in a range of sports, arts, clubs, education and camps. Staff plan to launch the program Sept. 1. Interested applicants can call their caseworker or book an appointment by calling the County office and extension 2140.

August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day. For 25 years it has been a day to remember, without stigma, those who have died and to acknowledge the grief of the families and friends left behind. The theme this year is "25 Years On. Still Needed."

Overdose continues to ...affect communities, and it can be prevented.

For local information about substance use and harm reduction, contact:
📞Lanark Leeds and Grenville Addictions and Mental Health: https://www.llgamh.ca/
📞Southeast Public Health: https://southeastph.ca/
📞Change Health Care: https://changehealthcare.ca/
📞211 Ontario: https://211ontario.ca/

If you think someone is experiencing an overdose, call 911.

Learn more about International Overdose Awareness Day at https://www.overdoseday.com/

Lanark County Council has awarded a five-year contract for the supply and delivery of bulk coarse highway salt to Compass Minerals following a tender process that closed Aug. 5. The previous contract with Cargill Salt has ended.

Director of Public Works Sean Derouin said Compass Minerals ...was the sole bid received. The other two major suppliers in Ontario, Cargill Salt and Windsor Salt, were circulated in the tender.

This is a joint tender with all local municipalities except for Perth, which already has a contract with Compass. The participating local municipalities have agreed to purchase at least 80 per cent of their estimated annual tender quantity to support competitive pricing and reduce supplier risk related to supply and storage.

“A five-year contract will secure long-term supply and pricing certainty,” Derouin explained. This option protects the county and participating municipalities from future market volatility and reduces the risk of price escalation resulting from future supply shortages.” Municipalities may increase their annual quantities needed during the contract.

Public Works plans to help mitigate higher prices by increasing use of “winter mix,” which is a blend of sand, salt and stone dust, on lower-volume roads, while continuing to meet required maintenance standards. “Similar measures were successfully implemented during last year’s salt shortage, reserving salt applications for higher-volume roads and freezing rain events.”