On this beautiful sunny spring morning, President Joanne Serkeyn called the meeting to order with 20 Lincoln Rotarians + guest Michael Kirkopolous in attendance. She invited Pod #2 member John Lundrigan to lead the opening exercises.
John began with the LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT followed by his THOUGHT FOR THE DAY where he noted that both big & small changes are helping to reduce our collective impact on the environment. As a small change, he is now driving a hybrid plug in vehicle. He concluded by inviting a TOAST to the King, Rotary International & Lincoln Rotary. As his POINT OF PRIDE, John offered a shameless plug for the club's Environmental Committee & its very successful series of four public sessions (January - April 2025) just concluded and today's organization for the Downtown Tidy Earth Day event as Lincoln Rotary's initiative in support of the Great Lakes Watershed Clean Up happening during April & May across several Rotary Districts surrounding the Great Lakes.
50/50- Phil won the ticket draw but missed pulling the Ace of Spades :(
HAPPY BUCKS
Many members happily reported on their Easter weekend celebrations with family & friends and fine spring weather.
In addition...
John L - recent vacation in Dominican Republic
Mike Kirkopolous - salute to Vernah Fleming & Liz Bennian for their community leadership with the Town of Lincoln tree canopy program
Jennifer T - highest audience attendance ever for her Peninsula Players production just concluded
Alice - heading to Guelph Trillium Rotary with Sue on April 30 to make a presentation on RC Lincoln’s Guatemala Global Grant project
Bill - wearing BDSS shirt from 50 years ago
Vernah - appreciation to Mike & town officials for embedding tree culture in Lincoln through programs like the recent tree giveaway
Joanne - recent holiday in Cancun & upcoming weekend trip to Florida
John M - recent travels in Belgium & Holland
CLUB BUSINESS
Joanne provided the context for a $2000 request to help cover costs for the following event during the 2025 RI Convention…
A Historic Evening Hosted by Rotary Action Group Against Slavery (RAGAS) & RAGAS in Canada
As Rotarians from around the world gather in Calgary this June, RAGAS and RAGAS in Canada will mark a powerful milestone in Rotary history - the unveiling of Calgary’s very first permanent Rotary Peace Pole — a bold symbol of unity, peace, and our global stand against human trafficking.
The evening kicks off with delicious hors d’oeuvres, vibrant entertainment, and inspiring stories from changemakers on the frontlines of freedom. You’ll hear from survivor and advocate Kelly Tallon Franklin, alongside Rotarian leaders who are driving impactful work through RAGAS to eradicate modern slavery worldwide.
Then, under the glow of candlelight in the hotel’s courtyard, the event will culminate in a powerful keynote address from Rotary Peace Fellow and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize Nominee Cheryl Perera, Founder of One Child.
When: June 20, 2025
Where: Hilton Garden Inn Calgary Downtown
Time Reception: 6:30 – 9:30 pm
Peace Pole Candlelight: 9:30-10:30 pm
MOTION:
That RC Lincoln contribute $2000 in support of the RAGAS peace pole installation event in Calgary on June 20, 2025.
Moved by Brenda Kell Kotwa; Seconded by Phil Goodwin
CARRIED unanimously
PROGRAM
Town of Lincoln CAO Michael Kirkopolous
Niagara Regional Councillor Rob Foster
Councillor Foster began by explaining that it was fellow Rotarian Terry Kotwa's idea for an update on the Region of Niagara's responsibilities in relation to those of Local Area Municipalities (LAMs). Because of the interconnectedness of the Town of Lincoln & the Region, he was pleased that Mike Kirkopolous had accepted his invitation to join him for the presentation and discussion.
Rob introduced his presentation with a brief profile of the Region…
Established by Government of Ontario in 1970 - same year as the Town of Lincoln
Serves over 500,000 people to increase to 750,000 by 2030
Covers 1852 square kilometers
Provides essential services that are important in your day-to-day life
In 2025, the Regional capital budget = $376.1 million of which $30-35 million is designated for capital projects in Lincoln. In 2024, Niagara Region afforded $36 million for capital projects in Lincoln,
Operational budget costs include funding for Niagara Regional Police Service (37%); Niagara Transit Commission (7.3%); Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (1.3%) with those for all administrative areas as charted in millions here…
Niagara Region exists to provide efficient and coordinated administration of services across its 12 municipalities and in the best interest of all in Niagara.
While the Municipal Act of Ontario sets out spheres of influence for upper-tier & lower-tier municipal government, there are some governance challenges…e.g. duplication of water & waste water services. Region processes & delivers services to Local Area Municipalities (LAMs) - i.e. water treatment, wastewater treatment, trunk mains; LAMs distributes water to residential, commercial & industrial
The Municipal Act also allows for “broad authority” for both tiers to provide any service or thing that the municipality considers necessary or desirable for the public…e.g. funding support for hospital capital projects. While funding for healthcare facilities is not a municipality’s responsibility, Niagara Region & several lower-tier municipalities in the Region continue to afford financial support for hospital construction projects based on public demand.
Rob concluded by highlighting that Lincoln is growing quickly and requires significant investment in infrastructure. He explained that cooperation between regional & town staff is a great benefit. Mike reiterated that while there are always challenges, the two levels of municipal government in Niagara work well together.
Following, members engaged with Rob & Mike in a lively & wide-ranging discussion on topics including…
Basis for decision-making on hospital & long term care facilities capital funding & physician recruitment by both the Region & LAMs
Ever-changing provincial planning policies + funding & incentive programs for development re: residential & industrial development, affordable housing, etc.
Potential municipal restructuring
Established shared services models - e.g. West Niagara Fire Services; Lincoln Pelham Public Library
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John began with the LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT followed by his THOUGHT FOR THE DAY where he noted that both big & small changes are helping to reduce our collective impact on the environment. As a small change, he is now driving a hybrid plug in vehicle. He concluded by inviting a TOAST to the King, Rotary International & Lincoln Rotary. As his POINT OF PRIDE, John offered a shameless plug for the club's Environmental Committee & its very successful series of four public sessions (January - April 2025) just concluded and today's organization for the Downtown Tidy Earth Day event as Lincoln Rotary's initiative in support of the Great Lakes Watershed Clean Up happening during April & May across several Rotary Districts surrounding the Great Lakes.
