The Municipality of Kincardine hopes the new "LOVE IT" campaign will keep the Valentine's spirit alive.
The campaign encourages everyone to share what they love about living, working, and playing throughout the local area. Councillor Beth Blackwell enthusiastically launched the campaign at the Municipality of Kincardine’s council meeting on February 14.
“There’s so many special things about our community,” said Blackwell. “This is a chance for people to share the local places and unique experiences that bring them joy and make them feel grateful to live in our incredible community.”
Lorie Fioze, Manager of Strategic Initiatives, suggested participants should think about what they love about being a part of Kincardine.
"Well we really want to hear from folks, what they love in the community, what they love about living here, what they love about working here, playing in the municipality of Kincardine, and just sort of getting that kind of grateful kind of feeling in this season. We've had a lot of gloom with the weather," explained Fioze. "We really want to hear you know what are the what is your favorite restaurant? What's your favourite store? Is it a public art piece? Is it a trail and really we want to hear about all those hidden gems that get the positivity going."
Fioze explains how people can participate in the program.
"We have an online form that people can submit their submissions either in writing or a photo they can upload a photo there," added Fioze. "They can also pick up submission forms at the Davidson Centre, the municipal administrative centre, as well as the Tiverton Arena, and it can be really we want to hear from all ages. So you know from kids drawing pictures all the way up to 100 -year-olds we want to hear what people really love about the community."
She added that council hopes to spread the love.
"And we're also going share these loves at our council meetings. The council members are going to be sharing what people are saying and of course with permission if they have their name on there, if they'd like to share their name we will share that, if not we'll just share what they love," Fioze continued. "And really kind of communicate this positivity in the community during this during this winter season. "
Fioze revealed that not only will the campaign spread some joy, it will also help the municipality plan for the future
"It's also going to inform the first stage of our strategic planning process, you know, the typical strengths and weaknesses analysis. This is going to be the strength piece," Fioze said. "We really just want to do it in a fun way and really hear what people love about living in this community and what we want to keep."
And participants will also have the chance to win some prizes
"So we have some prizes, we're going to do some random draws. It's not going to be the kind of draw where it's upon the best idea, it's going to be a random draw," added Fioze. "Whoever participates and leaves us with their name and email, we will enter them in a draw to get some prizes. So we got some you know, Kincardine tourism, sweatshirts and some swag and some prizes for people to win."
“There’s no better date to launch a program celebrating our community than on Valentine’s Day! I am looking forward to hearing about what people of all ages love about the Municipality of Kincardine. There’s no place like it on Earth, which is why I ‘Love It!’” smiled Blackwell.
