On November 7, from 7:30 to 8:30 AM, the Rotary Club of London Hyde Park, in partnership with the Hyde Park BIA, hosted a breakfast meeting at the West Haven Golf and Country Club. Presided over by John McDonald, president of the Rotary Club of London Hyde Park, the event was introduced by Ken Wall, past president of the club, and concluded with thanks from John McDonald.
The breakfast featured Mayor Josh Morgan and Councillor Steve Lehman, who were presented with certificates of appreciation and donations made in their names to vaccinate 50 children against polio.
In front of an audience of over 40 attendees, Mayor Morgan and Councillor Lehman addressed critical issues facing London, including downtown crises, homelessness, addiction, and mental health. They highlighted the successes of housing initiatives supported by robust community services and the positive impact these have had on reducing the strain on hospital and police services, significantly improving the lives of those affected.
Councillor Steve Lehman specifically addressed policing issues, rising police budgets, and efforts to shorten 911 response times. He discussed initiatives aimed at making streets safer, reducing violent gun crime, and expressed his confidence in the current police chief.
Surprisingly, London is in better shape than many other communities across Canada. This reflects the effectiveness of the local efforts to address these challenges. Mayor Morgan, a friend of Rotary and Hyde Park, expressed appreciation for the turnout, the presentations, and the engaging questions from the audience, which included Rotarians, community members, and business leaders.
Thanks to the efforts of Ellen McGran of the Hyde Park BIA and Rotarian Barb Robins, the event was a great success, showcasing the collaboration between the Rotary Club of London Hyde Park, the BIA, and the excellent facilities at West Haven Golf and Country Club.