Elected by their peers at a meeting this Wednesday were chair Serge Carpino of Canal City Realty, vice-chair Nick Dell’Omo of Biscotti Café and Riganelli’s Bakery, and secretary/treasurer Marsha Coppola of Da Bomb Bath Co. and Papa Vince Pizza.
Others who have signed on to head up sub-committees include: Diana D’Intino, marketing committee chair; Santino Perri, beautification committee chair, and Tony Vandermaas, who was appointed as the BIA member at-large. Erica Lanigan will continue in her role as BIA coordinator.
Councillors Anthony Longo and Ken Sentance will act as city hall liaisons, providing municipal guidance as Thorold business owners brace themselves for a continuously surging population. One major expected challenge for merchants will be finding a way to maintain their businesses during the extensive downtown streetscaping and renovations scheduled to happen within the next couple years.
City clerk Donna Delvecchio explained that due to a change in the Municipal Act, BIA committees “now must have an integrity commissioner, so if there are any questions about conflict of interest” or other matters requiring the commissioner’s services, the city will call in Aird & Berlis, a Toronto law firm, at a rate of $393 per hour, to settle any issues that may arise.
The clerk also handed out guides from the Ombudsman’s office and explained that all BIA meetings now must be open to the public. The board agreed they will be held the second Wednesday of every month at 8:30 a.m. at the Thorold Community Credit Union at 63 Front Street South.
Carpino, who headed up the BIA for years, told his fellow business owners, “I am here for the betterment of the downtown. I have the experience and the time. Hopefully, with all the committees, we can make improvements.”
He remarked how merchants were advised by Thorold’s former community policing committee to remove any graffiti immediately before it spread, referring to the recent wave of graffiti that has plagued downtown.
“In the summer, we are really proactive,” stated Coppola, “but this year because it happened in the winter, it can’t be painted over yet.”
Coppola also advised she would like to bring back Thorold’s outdoor market in the newly paved Towpath Street area, in conjunction with the summer market started last year by Carrie Cottage-Bailey on Ormond Street.
Other topics included improving street cleaning, and expanding services to Towpath, Regent and Ormond Streets as well as Front Street; and informing tenants about garbage pickup schedules, so it’s not left out on the downtown sidewalks at length.
“Landlords should be accountable for educating their tenants, that they can’t put their garbage out at improper times,” said Carpino. “If garbage is strewn everywhere, all the beautification and other committees won’t help.”
Delvecchio suggested approaching the Region’s Waste Management department, and Longo added that Regional councillor Tim Whalen may be able to offer assistance as well in that regard.
