BradfordToday's 2020 Year in Review (27 photos)

It’s been a long year. 

And while COVID dominated most of our headlines, there were other stories that captured our attention too. Here are some of the highlights:

Winter

In early January, BWG Council responded to the community over their concerns with the 2020 tax rate. 

A group of disgruntled residents formed a Taxpayers of Bradford group and challenged councillors over their decisions regarding the 2020 budget and tax rates, calling the proposed 3.55 percent tax hike ‘absurd.’ 

With the help of the late Councillor Gary Baynes, council reconsidered. Coun. Baynes suggested dropping the Special Capital Levy from 1 percent to 0.5 percent, which would bring the town's tax rate down to under three percent. 

Some councillors opposed the move, claiming it would hurt Bradford down the road by dipping into the levy, but in the end voted to remove $319,346 for the special capital levy, bringing the tax rate for 2020 to 2.95 percent.

Also in January,  a devastating snowplow tractor accident in Barrie took the life of a Bradford woman and left her spouse severely injured. The snowplow tractor had been driving along Veterans Drive when it struck the couple as the two women were crossing the street. They had been working as cleaners at a nearby car dealership. The couple had just moved to Bradford from Mexico two months prior, in hopes of making a better life for themselves. 

In February, South Simcoe Police held a Women in Policing session in partnership with the Bradford Women’s+ Group at the BWG Library. Inspirational stories were shared by female officers, with the 70 women who pre-registered for the event. The goal was to encourage more females to apply for positions with the service, and offered tips and pointers for resumes, cover letters and community service engagement. 

In March, just before COVID hit and the world flipped upside down, the ladies of Bradford celebrated International Women’s Day at two events, the 15th annual Women's Event at the Portuguese Cultural Centre and the second annual International Women's Day Gala at the Bradford Community Centre . It was the last time members of the community gathered for a party in 2020. 

Spring

In mid-March, Bradford mother Julie Anne Lingan was admitted to the hospital due to complications with COVID-19. Her courageous battle captured the attention of the entire community and beyond. Lingan was one of the first COVID patients in Bradford and clung to life as she recovered day by day in the hospital, and the community prayed for her recovery.  It was a joyous day for Lingan when she was finally released from Southlake Regional Health Centre on April 16. 

Throughout the spring there were many stories about the community coming together to provide support during the lockdown. 

Almost immediately, town council met virtually to figure out a way to support local businesses and came up with a three-part plan that would help them get through the emergency closures. Most notably was the BWG Emergency Business Sustainability Fund in partnership with Nottawasaga Futures, that provided businesses with $5,000 and $2,500 grants. 

The town rallied together, with the help of The Bradford food bank, The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, Bradford Lions Club member Gavin Maclean, A Hand Up Clothing Room and CrossTrainers Canada, launching everything from food delivery services for those in need to a lunch program for the homeless, as well as opening up the showers at the Bradford Community Centre. 

The pandemic wreaked havoc on small businesses across the world, causing some to close permanently. Parents and children in the Bradford community were devastated when the owner of Kidergy Indoor Playground Linda Cordell announced she was closing the play centre for good. 

In April, Bradford Valley Care Community long term care facility experienced a nasty COVID-19 outbreak that resulted in 12 resident deaths. Once again, the Bradford community stepped up to help in any way they could, providing personal protective equipment, purchasing meals for staff, and sending caring cards and letters to residents. 

At the end of May, the community, country and entire world responded to the death of George Floyd, a Black man from Minnesota. He died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes, unable to breathe.  The death sparked protests and outcry and an anti-racist movement. Locally, there were Black Lives Matter peaceful protests held all across the region, including a Black Lives Matter rally held at the Bradford Leisure Centre and a Walk 4 Unity peaceful protest along Holland Street, with hundreds in attendance. 

In response to the protests, the town developed an anti-racism resolution and a BWG Diversity and Inclusiveness Action Plan, which was recently endorsed at the last meeting of council. 

Summer

Summer wasn't nearly as exciting as years past. With Carrotfest and Canada Day events cancelled and limited activities, many turned to the outdoors for physical and mental health. 

The summer saw its first-ever patio program, allowing restaurants in town to expand their serving area to allow for proper social distancing outdoors. Many restaurants took advantage of the opportunity and saw great success throughout the season. 

Sadly, at the end of July, the town lost one of its greatest advocates  - Ward 2 Councillor Gary Baynes, due to a lengthy illness. The town was devastated and met for a flag-lowering ceremony the day after his death, to reminisce and reflect on all the councillor had done for the town. Baynes lived in Bradford his whole life and was known as 'the numbers guy' on council. The following weekend, the town hosted a farewell procession along Simcoe Road as a tribute to the Bradford leader. 

Fall and Winter

As we headed into fall, virtual learning or in-person schooling was the great debate among parents. While most schools in the province were able to keep the spread of COVID-19 in the classroom at bay, there were outbreaks here and there, including a few at Bradford District High School. 

A by-election to replace Ward 2 Coun. Gary Baynes was held at the end of November, with seven candidates in the running. It was an intense few months of campaigning during a pandemic, with all candidates using the power of social media to get their platforms across to residents. In the end, it was Jonathan Scott who was declared the new Ward 2 councillor on Dec. 7. 

At the end of October, the story of 15-year-old Siem Zerezghi, who left his Bradford home early on a Saturday morning and never returned, caught the attention of the community and Greater Toronto Area. The week-long search came to a tragic end, when Siem's body was discovered in a pond near 8th Line and Professor Day Drive. The Bradford community joined the family in mourning the loss of the teen, holding two vigils at the Bradford Library in early November. 

Bradford sisters Emily and Sarah Dahlgren of A Bradford Christmas stepped up their fundraising for the Helping Hand Food Bank. Together along with members of the community, they were able to reach their goal of $50,000 through local business donations, fundraising events and a silent auction. 

With fewer vehicles on the road, there were fewer collisions to report - but still a few. One head-scratcher occurred in December on Longview Drive, where an intoxicated driver went airborne in his vehicle and landed on two others in a driveway. It was a miracle no one was injured. 

Looking Ahead...

Well, we can all agree 2020 wasn't a great year, but with vaccines slowly being rolled out across the country, here is hoping for a better 2021 and a return to normal.