Thorold city council has approved the municipality's 2026 operating and capital budgets, according to the City of Thorold's City Hall News newsletter.
The budget approvals came at a special council meeting on February 10. Council also passed a motion supporting a provincial declaration of emergency on homelessness, mental health and addiction in the Region of Niagara.
A second motion dealt with intimate partner violence and expanding recognition of licensed private investigators and security professionals.
Council also heard a presentation from Start Me Up Niagara about the Coldest Night of the Year event, and approved a zoning by-law amendment for 2751 Thorold Townline Road.
Polka King recognized
On February 24, council presented a Civic Recognition Award to Walter Ostanek, a former Thorold resident widely known as "The Polka King."
The newsletter says Ostanek rose to prominence in the late 1950s and went on to record more than 50 polka albums. Since 1986, he has earned 21 Grammy Award nominations and won three between 1992 and 1994.
He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 1999, inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame in 2001, and received the Queen's Award in 2012 and the King's Award in 2024.
Age-friendly committee honoured
Council also handed Civic Recognition Awards to members of the Age-Friendly Committee after the group received an Ontario Age-Friendly Community Award in January. Honoured members include Councillor Tim O'Hare, chair Jean D'Amelio Swyer, Muhammad Anees, Mary Anne Bessey, Barb Daly and Leslie Daniels.
A separate award recognized D'Amelio Swyer in her capacity as committee chair. Council also received a presentation from Tami Lyons, president of the Thorold Garden Club.
Taxes, cheques and community notes
The City reminded residents that property taxes were due Friday, February 27 at 4:30 p.m., with notices mailed February 5. Penalty and interest charges apply to late payments.
On February 4, Mayor Ugulini attended a cheque presentation at the Early Childhood Community Development Centre recognizing the St. Catharines, Stamford and Welland Kiwanis Clubs. The donation funds fully subsidized storytelling literacy kits and professional learning opportunities for licensed child care programs in Niagara.
Councillor Nella Dekker visited the YMCA EarlyON Centre at the Pope Francis Centre on January 29 for Family Literacy Day, where families joined circle time and received free books.
Thorold Fire and Emergency Services career and volunteer firefighters spent part of February on the ice practising rescue techniques with the service's Technical Rescue Team. The City also lowered its flags to half-mast in tribute to those affected by a tragic event in Tumbler Ridge, B.C.
Parks, programs and the months ahead
The City is planning a public information centre in the City Hall lobby at 3540 Schmon Parkway to share the preliminary splashpad concept, including its proposed layout, features and amenities, and gather resident feedback.
Thorold's Earth Day event is moving from the Thorold Community Arena to Canada Games Park at 2021 Canada Games Way, under the theme "Our Power, Our Planet." The City is seeking vendors and speakers for the event.
Ontario Power Generation, which partnered with Thorold Fire and Emergency Services on a February 16 ice-safety event, sponsored all three Family Day weekend skates. First Ontario Credit Union is sponsoring a free March Break skate on Monday, March 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Thorold Community Arena.
Thorold Minor Baseball, which runs seven house league teams through Niagara Interlock Baseball and four Thorold A's rep teams, has opened registration for the season. The organization's Play Ball Fund offers financial help to families that need it.
The Thorold Garden Club's judging event, hosted with Niagara College, was scheduled for Saturday, October 10 at the Niagara College Greenhouses, with prizes awarded in each category and free family activities.
