Grimsby, Ontario

Grimsby
—  Town  —
Coat of arms
Location of Grimsby within the Regional Municipality of Niagara
Grimsby Location of Grimsby within the Regional Municipality of Niagara
Coordinates: 43°12′N 79°33′W / 43.2°N 79.55°W / 43.2; -79.55Coordinates: 43°12′N 79°33′W / 43.2°N 79.55°W / 43.2; -79.55
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
Regional Municipality	Niagara
Established
Government
– Type	Town
– Mayor	Bob Bentley
– Governing Body	Town of Grimsby Council
– MP	Dean Allison (CPC)
– MPP	Tim Hudak (OPC)
Area[1]
– Land	68.94 km2 (26.6 sq mi)
Population (2006)[1]
– Total	23,937
– Density	347.2/km2 (899.2/sq mi)
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
– Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
Postal code span	L3M
Area code(s)	905/289/365
Website	www.town.grimsby.on.ca

Grimsby is a town on Lake Ontario in the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada. Grimsby is a part of the Hamilton Census Metropolitan Area. The majority of residents reside in the area bounded by Lake Ontario and the Niagara escarpment. The escarpment (colloquially known as 'the mountain') is home to a section of the Bruce Trail.

Grimsby has experienced significant growth over the past decade as the midpoint between Hamilton and St. Catharines. In early 2011, Grimsby is expected to be the home of the West Niagara YMCA. Growth is limited by the natural boundaries of Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment and has almost come to a stop as a result of the Greenbelt Plan [2] which has permanently frozen Grimsby's urban boundary. Some residents feel that development is detrimental to the town as orchards close to the town centre are used for residential development; however, most of the orchards in Grimsby were replaced by houses between the 1950s and 1980s and very few orchards remain.^{[citation needed]}

Some notable attractions in Grimsby are the local skatepark, the Grimsby Museum, the Grimsby Public Library, the Grimsby Public Art Gallery, the Danish Church and the hockey arena (Peach King Centre), home of the Grimsby Peach Kings.

History

The town of Grimsby was founded in 1790 (originally named Township Number 6 and then 'The Forty'), after a group of United Empire Loyalists settled at the mouth of 40 Mile Creek in 1787. Robert Nelles, a politician and later lieutenant-colonel in the War of 1812, was one of the main founders of the town. His home, located on Main Street West, was used for many planning sessions during the war. In 1816 the village became known as Grimsby, the name of the surrounding township. Canada's first Chautauqua was established in 1859 in Grimsby Park and Beach but by 1900 interest had declined and by 1909 it had ceased. The Village of Grimsby was officially incorporated in 1876 and became a town in 1922. The town has gone through numerous changes, being first a small rural village; then a centre for the manufacture of farm machinery, hospital furniture, furnaces and other metal products; and later the hub of the Niagara Peninsula's fruit-growing industry. For many years, Grimsby also had a successful fishing industry which lasted until the 1960s. The Town of Grimsby and the Township of North Grimsby were amalgamated in 1970 with the formation of the Regional Municipality of Niagara. With a number of wineries and distilleries, Grimsby now serves as the starting point for touring the Niagara wine region.

Grimsby is also the birthplace of a now forgotten Hollywood director, Del Lord. He rose to acclaim as the director of most of the Three Stooges short vaudeville comedies. Later, under Columbia Pictures, he also directed nearly 200 feature films.

Grimsby Beach was once a major holiday resort. Grimsby Park started in 1846 as a park for the Hamilton district of the Methodist Church. In 1910, the park's new owner, Harry Wylie, modernized the park with carousels, a motion picture theater, and a "Figure 8" roller coaster. Canada Steamship Lines bought out the park in 1916, but the park declined through the 1920s, mainly due to multiple fires that consumed many of the wooden buildings. Operations continued until 1949, with attractions gradually closing and developers buying land to build houses.

Local government

Aerial view of Grimsby

The Council is composed of a Mayor and eight Aldermen who serve for a term of four years. The Mayor is elected at large and the Aldermen are elected by Ward. The Town is divided into four wards with two Aldermen elected in each ward. It is the role of Council to represent the public and to consider the well-being and interests of the municipality; to develop and evaluate policies and programs; to determine which services the municipality provides; to ensure that administrative practices and procedures are in place to implement the decisions of Council; and to maintain the financial integrity of the municipality. The Council generally meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month. All meetings are open to the public and are also televised live on the local Government-access television (GATV) cable TV channel.

The Mayor (currently Bob Bentley) is elected at large and the Aldermen are elected by Ward.

The Town is divided into 4 wards with 2 Aldermen elected in each ward. Follow this link to a map of ward boundaries: [3]

Town Council Members Ward 1

• Alderman Steve Berry
• Alderman Dave Wilson

Town Council Members Ward 2

• Alderman Dave Kadwell
• Alderman Michelle Seaborn

Town Council Members Ward 3

• Alderman David Finch
• Alderman Joanne Johnston

Town Council Members Ward 4

• Alderman Nick DiFlavio
• Alderman Carolyn Mullins

Council meetings

All meetings of Council are open to the public. They are held at the municipal offices, 160 Livingston Avenue, on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month. However, in summer months and due to Holiday Mondays this schedule will change. To view the meeting calendar, which lists all Committee meetings as well, please click here for meeting schedule Any correspondence directed to Council must be in writing, signed by at least one person.

Persons wishing to appear as a delegation at a Council meeting must put their request in writing, providing details, to the Clerk prior to noon on the Friday before the meeting date.

Standing committees

Council has appointed 4 Standing Committees as follows: Administration and Finance Committee (4 Aldermen and Mayor) Main functions are current and capital budget preparation and administration; personnel policies and compensation plans; financial matters; general administrative matters; public relations; fire matters; cemetery administration; school crossing guards; canine control. The Administration, Treasury and Fire Departments report to Council through this Committee, as well as the Library, Art Gallery and Museum for budget purposes. Planning and Development Committee (4 Aldermen, 3 citizen appointees and Mayor) Main functions are land use planning, economic development and promotion and building inspection. The Planning and Building Departments report to Council through this Committee. Public Works Committee (4 Aldermen and Mayor) Main functions are storm drainage, sidewalks, roads, street lighting, water distribution, sanitary sewers, solid waste management, cemetery maintenance, parking and traffic control. The Public Works Department reports to Council through this Committee. Recreation Services Committee (4 Aldermen, 3 citizen appointees and Mayor) Main functions are parks, community and recreation services and programming. The Recreation, Facilities & Culture Department reports to Council through this Committee, as well as the Art Gallery, Library & Museum.

Town of Grimsby councils (1968 - 2014)

1968

• Mayor: H. Merritt
• Reeve: J. Morrison
• Deputy Reeve: D. Denick
• Councillors: S. Girling, R. Jones, K. Schier, G. Willson

1969

• Mayor: H. Merritt
• Reeve: G. Willson
• Deputy Reeve: D. Denick
• Councillors: J. Aikens, H. Clausen, F. Godak, R. Jones

1970 - 1972

• Mayor: G. Willson
• Aldermen: R. Arkell, H. Clausen, D. Denick, F. Godak, R. Jones, P. Preston, B. Wood (Resigned July, 1971), H. Merritt (Appointed July, 1971), J. Aikens (Resigned September, 1971), J. Morrison (Appointed September, 1971)

1973 - 1974

• Mayor: H. Costello
• Aldermen: N. Andreychuk, R. Arkell, R. Book, D. Denick, F. Godak, M. Marlow, H. Merritt, P. Preston

1975 - 1976

• Mayor: H. Costello
• Aldermen: J. Aikens, N. Andreychuk, R. Book, F. Godak, M. Marlow, W. Muise, C. Nixon, H. Merritt (Resigned September, 1975), H. Clausen (Appointed October, 1975)

1977 - 1978

• Mayor: R. Arkell
• Aldermen: R. Book, H. Clausen, D. Denick, M. Marlow, W. Muise, C. Nixon, H. Steeves, W. Thompson

1979 - 1980

• Mayor: R. Arkell
• Aldermen: N. Andreychuk, D. Denick, D. Gibbons, J. Griffith, A. Hoogerbrugge, W. Muise, D. Zimmerman, J. Hendricks (Resigned August 1, 1979), G. Dennis (Appointed August 20, 1979)

1981 - 1982

• Mayor: R. Arkell
• Aldermen: N. Andreychuk, D. Denick, G. Dennis, D. Gibbons, J. Griffith, A. Hoogerbrugge, W. Muise, D. Zimmerman

1983 - 1985

• Mayor: R. Hall
• Aldermen: N. Andreychuk, G. Dennis, D. Hails, A. Hoogerbrugge, T. Joosse, W. Muise, D. Zimmerman, D. Denick (Deceased January 16, 1985), J. Griffith (Appointed February 4, 1985)

1985 - 1988

• Mayor: R. Hall
• Aldermen: N. Andreychuk, D. Denick Jr. (Resigned April 19, 1988), G. Dennis, D. Hails, A. Hoogerbrugge, T. Joosse, R. Preece (Appointed May 18, 1988), W. Muise (Deceased October 21, 1988), D. Zimmerman

1988 - 1991

• Mayor: R. Book (Resigned September 30, 1990), N. Andreychuk (Appointed Mayor October 1, 1990)
• Aldermen: N. Andreychuk (Appointed Mayor October 1, 1990), P. Cronin, D. Hails, J. Heywood, G. Molinaro (Resigned October 28, 1991), J. Morrison, T. Palmer, R. Preece (Appointed October 2, 1990), S. Vandermolen (Appointed December 5, 1989), D. Zimmerman (Resigned October 30, 1989)

Dec. 5/88 - Ron Book presented Ross Hall with an inscribed gavel in appreciation for his years of service as mayor.

1991 - 1994

• Mayor: N. Andreychuk
• Aldermen: J. Heywood, D. Howe, T. Joosse, S. Lee, J. Morrison, T. Palmer (Resigned July 29, 1994), M. Poos, R. Preece (Appointed August 3, 1994), W. Watt

1994 - 1997

• Mayor: N. Andreychuk
• Aldermen: R. Bentley, J. Heywood, D. Howe, T. Joosse, S. Lee, M. Poos, G. Roddy, W. Watt

1997 - 2000

• Mayor: N. Andreychuk
• Aldermen: R. Bentley (Appointed Reg. Counc. December 11, 1997), W. Fertich (Won By-Election, Took Office February 2, 1998), J. Heywood, D. Howe, J. Jordan, J. Mullins, M. Poos, G. Roddy, W. Watt

2000 - 2003

• Mayor: N. Andreychuk
• Aldermen: R. Bentley (Appointed Reg. Counc. December 4, 2000), S. Berry, W. Fertich, D. Finch, C. Kovacs (Won By-Election, Took Office February 5, 2001), J. Jordan, J. Mullins, W. Watt, D. Wilson

2003 - 2006

• Mayor: R. Bentley
• Aldermen: N. Andreychuk, S. Berry, N. DiFlavio, W. Fertich, D. Finch, J. Jordan, T. Quirk, D. Wilson

2006 - 2010

• Mayor: R. Bentley
• Aldermen: N. Andreychuk, S. Berry, J. Cruickshank, N. DiFlavio, W. Fertich, J. Johnston, D. Kadwell, D. Wilson

2010 - 2014

• Mayor: R. Bentley
• Aldermen: S. Berry, N. DiFlavio, D. Finch, J. Johnston, D. Kadwell, C. Mullins, M. Seaborn, D. Wilson

Schools

Secondary Schools

• Grimsby Secondary School (operated by DSBN)
• Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary School (operated by NCDSB)

Primary Schools

• Central Public School
• Grand Ave. Public School
• Lakeview Public School
• Nelles Public School
• Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School
• Park Public School
• Smith Public School
• St. Joseph Catholic School

Churches

• Centennial Park Baptist Church^[2]
• Christ Our Saviour Lutheran
• Church of Christ
• Covenant Canadian Reformed Church
• The Danish Lutheran Church^[3]
• Forestview Community Church
• Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall
• Lakemount Worship Centre^[4]
• Lincoln Pioneer Seventh-day Adventist Church
• Mountainview Christian Reformed Church^[5]
• New Apostolic Church
• New Life Community Church
• Park Rd. United Church
• Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Grimsby
• St. Andrew's Anglican (1825), the third church on this site, features a churchyard containing graves of many early settlers (c. 1785-) at The Forty, as Grimsby was originally called. ^[6]
• St. George's Ukrainian Orthodox
• St. John's Presbyterian
• St. Joseph's Roman Catholic
• St. Mary's Ukrainian Catholic
• St. Philip By-The-Lake Anglican
• Trinity United Church

Demographics

Census	Population
1871	800
1901	1,001
1911	1,669
1921	2,004
1931	2,198
1941	2,331
1951	2,773
1961	5,148
1971	15,770
1981	15,797
1991	18,520
2001	21,297
2006	23,937

From Statcan ^[7]

Age Characteristics of the Population	Total	Male	Female
Total - All persons	24,240	14,135	10,105
Age 0-4	1,145	595	550
Age 5-14	3,165	1,580	1,580
Age 15-19	1,480	825	655
Age 20-24	1,040	550	485
Age 25-44	5,980	2,895	3,090
Age 45-54	3,245	1,615	1,630
Age 55-64	2,215	1,090	1,125
Age 65-74	1,610	785	825
Age 75-84	1,055	430	620
Age 85 and over	490	370	120

Religion

• 30% Roman Catholic
• 15% Anglican
• 14% United Church
• 19% No religion
• 27% Other^[7]

Notable people

• Kevin Bieksa, NHL defenceman playing for the Vancouver Canucks
• Chris Carter, actor of Chris & John's Road Trip!
• Rick Dykstra, Member of the Canadian House of Commons
• Kevin Hearn, plays keyboards and other instruments for Barenaked Ladies
• Chris Jarvis, rower for the Canadian national team and 2004 Athens Olympian.
• Del Lord, Hollywood actor and director of the Three Stooges films
• Bill Kempling, Canadian politician
• Wanita May, Canadian High Jump Champion
• George Pettit, vocalist for the Canadian Post-Hardcore group Alexisonfire
• Sector Seven, Canadian punk band
• Tonya Verbeek, silver medal winner at the 2004 Summer Olympics
• Dennis Ververgaert, former NHL ice hockey player
• Bob Warner, former NHL ice hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs
• Marvin Wentworth, former NHL ice hockey player

Climate

Grimsby's climate varies throughout the year; 12 °C – 15 °C in the spring, 21 °C – 33 °C in the summer, and 10 °C – 17 °C in the fall. Temperatures in the winter months are around 4 °C to −16 °C, with about 190 cm of snow per year.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Grimsby community profile". 2006 Census data. Statistics Canada. http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=3526065&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=grimsby&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=. Retrieved 2011-02-02. 
2. ^ See http://www.grimsbybaptist.org/
3. ^ See http://www.grimsby.folkekirken.dk
4. ^ See http://www.lakemount.ca/
5. ^ See [1]
6. ^ http://www.heritagefdn.on.ca/userfiles/HTML/nts_1_6364_1.html St. Andrew's Anglican Church
7. ^ ^{a b} 2001 census community profile

External links

• Town of Grimsby