The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury set up an information booth at Carrot Fest - where visitors and residents could stop by and ask questions about the schedule of events, or location of activities at Carrot Fest, and pick up information on town programs..
The newly-formed BWG Healthy Communities Advisory Committee was also there, asking residents to fill out a questionnaire, for a chance to win prizes.
“We wanted to have a presence at Carrot Fest, just to try and let people know what we are doing as a committee,” said Deputy Mayor James Leduc, manning the booth on Saturday.
The committee was identified as a Strategic Priority of Council, earlier in the year, to help address public health issues at the grassroots level.
“The survey was to see what or if residents had any concerns,” said Leduc, to determine which facilities were being used as part of an active lifestyle, and whether there was support for the five priority issues identified by committee members, that will form the basis of their focus over the next three years.
Those priorities were mental health; food security; climate change and energy conservation; clean water; and an active lifestyle.
“The first question was to get a feel from the community, to see if they agreed with our five priorities,” the Deputy Mayor said.
Based on the response at Carrot Fest, “the majority of people truly agreed with us,” he said. Additional recommendations for action included a variety of mental health issues, and abuse against women.
Residents were also asked to pick their top priority.
Although the surveys are still being reviewed, the priority that stood out for over 90 percent of respondents was clear, Leduc said: “Overwhelmingly, mental health.”
The committee was hoping to have at least 1000 questionnaires completed at Carrot Fest. On completing the survey, respondents received a ballot for a draw to win prizes donated by MiTek Canada and other sponsors, including two gift bags provided by the Town. Winners will be drawn on Wednesday evening of this week.
