Tri-council meeting universally positive in nature, say attendees

By Mike Williscraft NewsNow

Harry Potter had its tri-wizard tournament, now Niagara West has had its tricouncil meeting.

The session, held last Wednesday, Aug. 9, was in response to information given by MPP Sam Oosterhoff during discussions with local mayors regarding the provincial government’s desire for streamlined municipal processes.

While the exact content of the meeting is confidential due to its in camera setting under Municipal Act guidelines, all those who attended - and responded to email inquiries by press time

- said the session was very positive.

Following is a an overview of comments received:

Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton, “The meeting was helpful as we examined some of the provincial government actions on amalgamation to date. We talked about some guiding principles which could provide future foundational direction. Maybe the best action is to decide what is best for our municipalities. Take our own actions - be our own community leaders.”

Grimsby Mayor Jeff Jordan, “The meeting was a great learn- ing experience. Really interesting that all three municipalities have so much in common. Everyone came to the table with an open mind looking for service and operational efficiencies that would benefit everyone. This inaugural joint meeting is only a start of unprecedented cooperation between the three municipalities.”

Mayor Cheryl Ganann, “As it was a first attempt to bring together three locally elected councils, with many of those councillors never having even met each other prior to the Aug. 9 meeting, I was very pleased with the overall positive vibe of this undertaking.”

Adam Russell, “I think the meeting was very positive. This gave us a chance to meet and chat with our counterparts in the other municipalities, and share ideas and challenges we all face. I look forward to building on those relationships.

Dianne Rintjema, “Absolutely I would say positive and I’m proud of the commitment demonstrated by everyone in attendance to move forward in a proactive positive manner to do the best thing for the taxpayers of Niagara.”

Greg Reimer, “For myself, I would say surprisingly positive, and I hope we have another meeting in the near future.”

JD Pachereva, “As you know the meeting was in camera so all I can really say is that it was extremely positive.”

Anna Murre, “I would say that the tricouncil meeting last week was positive. I was impressed with the openness of the discussion and the respect shown around the table.”

Tony Brunet, “For the most part I thought the joint meeting last week was positive. No one really seems to know what’s going to happen, but, I think demonstrating to the province a desire to work together is prudent at this point in time.”

Delight Davoli, “I will say that I quite enjoyed meeting my fellow councillors from our neighbouring communities and speaking with them.”

Lianne Vardy, “I think the meeting was very positive and it was clear that all Councils from all municipalities had the best interests of residents in these changing times.”

Veronica Charrois, “My feeling of the tri council meeting was positive.”

Jennifer Korstanje, “I found it to be a positive experience. If I were to add something I’d say that the level of leadership in our communities is impressive, something as residents we can all be proud of.” Reg Freake, “It was cautiously positive.”

Jacob Baradziej, “The meeting was positive. It felt like everyone wanted to work together. It is better to write the rules of your own engagement, than to have them struck down upon you from above.”

Shelley Bradaric, “It was positive and a wonderful opportunity to network with other communities.”

Joann Chechalk, “The meeting was positive. Very positive. If for no other reason we got to meet all the politicians from the other two municipalities and got to share our issues and where we would find opportunities to work together. A good opportunity.”