Council has full slate with back-to-back committee and council session
Mayor Jeff Wright awarded Jacob McDougall with a Mayor’s Commendation Award during the July 14 Woodstock Town Council meeting. Mayor Wright said McDougall had shown bravery and selflessness when he acted to save an unknown young lady, down by the docks, a few days earlier.
“This is a certificate in recognition of exceptional bravery and selfless actions that exemplify the highest ideals of courage and community service,” praised Mayor Wright.
Along with the certificate, McDougall received a bag of swag gifts from both the town and the local radio station, 104.1 The Wave.
“I’m just glad the kid’s alright,” said McDougall. “I appreciate it, I really do. I’ve never had something like this before. Thank you.”
Woodstock Fire Department report
“We still put the wet stuff on the hot stuff,” teased Fire Chief Harold McLellan during his update to council.
He recounted one call the department recently received to rescue a boat and bring it to shore as just an example of the work the department had been doing of late.
CAO Allan Walker explained that overall, the department’s demands had increased. While vehicle accident calls had gone down from 51 in the first half of last year to 29, other callouts had been going up. Due to a particularly hot and dry spring, rubbish and grass fires increased by 78 per cent. False alarm calls, due mostly to aging smoke detectors, had grown by 27 per cent. Overall, emergency calls were up 5.3 per cent over last year.
“When you look at the numbers, they are extremely busy,” Said Walker.
Tourism and events
During Tobi Pirie’s presentation, she discussed an ongoing partnership with the River Valley Arts Alliance that encourages local artisans. As part of that mission, the town is considering opportunities to install more public art around the community. The tourism department is considering murals, sculptures, and other artworks to celebrate Woodstock’s heritage and cultural and agricultural history.
“The initiative aims to enhance public spaces while creating meaningful works of art that reflect the community’s identity and sense of place,” explained Pirie.
She also took a moment to list upcoming events in the community, such as the night market every Tuesday until Sept. 1, Harness Racing at Connell Park on July 30, August 2 and 6, and Old Home Week from August 1 to 8.
Delinquent invoices for junior hockey
The Woodstock Slammers began the 2025-2026 hockey season under the ownership of Chris Reaves. By October, it was becoming obvious that the growing bills for ice time and fitness memberships owed to the AYR Motor Centre were unlikely to be honoured.
The National Collegiate Development Conference (NCDC) removed the franchise’s ownership from Reaves and awarded it to a new owner operating as a numbered company (771490 NB Inc.). The town was assured that, under the new ownership, outstanding bills would be paid, as would anything incurred through the rest of the season. By early January, it had become clear that the new ownership was no more reliable than the last.
“Council made the decision at the time to allow the season to continue for the sake of the student athletes and to continue to rebuild a fan base for this level of junior hockey,” explained CAO Allan Walker.
The combined ice time and fitness membership balance owing by the end of the season was $49,561.37. Since all efforts to receive payment had proven fruitless, the council has opted to write off the total amount and start fresh with the new season.
“I guess I’m regretfully in support of the motion to write it off,” said Councillor Arthur Slipp.
The last owner’s business is mostly in Europe, adding to the complication of collecting. Councillor Laura Gaddas asked if anyone had looked into whether he had any assets in Canada. Walker made a note to look into it.
The Slammers, now newly branded as the Woodstock Warriors, will begin the new season under new ownership. The town is currently working to implement a new plan that will require prepayments from the team to prevent similar issues from recurring.
Mining open house this fall
“Woodstock [Municipality] sits on the largest manganese deposits in North America,” said CAO Allan Walker. “While jurisdiction for mining lies with the Department of Natural Resources, activity does impact and concern residents of Woodstock, and there have been questions asked recently regarding the activities of these two companies.”
During the council meeting, options for hosting a community meeting or open house were discussed, preferably in one of the impacted wards. The town wants to set something up where both Canadian Manganese and Manganese X, as well as the Department of Natural Resources, could all come present on the same night and help clear up some of the questions and concerns within the community.
Council is aiming to have something organized for this fall.
