On July 18, two Niverville residents presented a petition requesting an audience with the five-member council to demonstrate what Niverville residents have to say about alternative policing options. Together, Barry Piasta and Lindsay Unrau offered a list of 540 signatures which they had spent the previous three weeks collecting in a door-to-door campaign. 

In the past few years, Niverville’s only licensed daycare provider, Growing Minds Child Care (GMCC), has seen limited growth. This trend is not for lack of foresight or desire, but rather, they say, a reality imposed by lack of adequate funding from the provincial government. 

Niverville’s Communities in Bloom (CIB) committee has set a hectic pace this summer. Working in partnership with the Town of Niverville, local business owners, the Hanover School Division (HSD), Niverville Funeral Aid, and a few local churches, the committee has been actively working toward a more beautiful, visitor-friendly Niverville. Evidence of their hard work is blossoming all around the town.

Gene Whitney of Ste. Agathe began contemplating a run for mayor of Ritchot following the council resignations this spring. As soon as the by-election was called, the former Ritchot councillor sprang into action.

With four candidates running for mayor and another 11 running for council seats, residents face some big choices. To help make the selection process a little easier, The Citizen has reached out to every nominated individuals and asked them about their candidacy.

Chris Ewen, well known as the proprietor of the popular Capo Coffee Lounge locations in Île-des-Chênes and Niverville, recently announced that he will seek the Ritchot mayor’s chair in the July 19 by-election.