Volunteerism works!

There is ample proof that volunteers are making a difference in our community.  A while back, a bunch of committees were set up to spearhead local initiatives.  One such example is the recreation committee.  Proof that this committee has done well and made a difference is easy to find.  One only has to take the outdoor skating rink (times two) as a shining example of the fine work that this group has done.  While we may not have had the perfect winter for outdoor enthusiasts, the ice surface was around for quite some time.  It was always well maintained by a small army of dedicated volunteers.  Even some of the users of the ice surface would take up the job of shovelling the ice after a dumping of snow.  The place was often very busy with some families even driving in from outside of town to make use of the ice.  Whether just skating or actual games of hockey, I think it's safe to say that everyone enjoyed this great outdoor activity.  None of it would have been possible without the hard work of the recreation committee and the support of the Mayor and council.  This is the kind of success that this town can accomplish and needs to build on to see other future endeavours realized.  I am not entirely familiar with all of the volunteer committees hard at work in Chapleau.  I do know that there is also a museum committee that has been formed.  We all know that our local museum desperately needs some TLC.  Let's hope that our Mayor and council can also get behind this important group and their monumental task.  They need all the help they can get.

Stick in the mud

Kudos to our Mayor, André Byham, for giving us an update of what council has been up to for the past year.  What is truly revealing is the amount of projects that have been planned and then scrapped or delayed due to the uncooperative nature of one or more council members.  It has been clear for some time, that certain elected officials in our town are not acting with the best interests of taxpayers in mind.  Our mayor has reinforced this sentiment with his latest article.  Not only are these people ignoring the will of the people who elected them, they are holding our town back.  We must all work together if we want to see our town prosper and grow.  What is on the minds of many townspeople, after having read the newspaper this week-end, is the identity of the council member (or members) in question.  I have my suspicions, as do many of you.  Our mayor was wise not to ruffle too many feathers by outing them publicly.  If anyone wants to discuss the matter further, including the behaviour of some of our elected officials, look no further.  I look forward to any comments you may have, or pointed fingers, for that matter.