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Vol. 11, Issue 15, December 9, 2006
Inaugural address sets tone for next four years
Mayor Freeborn giving his inaugural address after being sworn in. By Jim Prince obs, economic development and hard work were on the minds of the newly elected Mayor and Chapleau Township Council, as they were sworn in during ceremonies last Monday. And if the council members act on the list of priorities laid out by Mayor Earle J. Freeborn they will be a busy and hard working crew. T h e local council made history along with all others in the province as it's the first time in Ontario councils were elected to the four year term, which is favoured by many to facilitate long term planning. The inaugural meeting heard a call
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for 100 new jobs and a renewed vision for community and e c o n o m i c development by Mayor Earle Freeborn, shortly after he was sworn into office. “The election is over and now it is time for the new Council to get down to business and I am looking forward to working with Council to do just that. For the first time we will have a four year window of opportunity to fulfill our mandate and move this community forward." There was strong support for the idea of getting down to business from the four men just as they were sworn in. "I will partici-
pate in this community and do as much as I can," pledged councilor André Byham, who led the polls in voting for the council and is expected to be the new deputy Mayor. "The last 9 years have been rewarding," stated councilor K.J. "Bud" Swanson, and looking ahead to the next fouryear term added, "I'm going to be busy." The two newcomers to the council, Doug Creig and Jacques Tremblay echoed this view. Describing Mayor Freeborn's inaugural address as progressive, councilor Creig said council better get on to working and stop talking. Councilor Tremblay also called for hard work and said he was looking forward to working with Mayor and council for the next four year. "I'm young and dedicated and will work hard," he stated. This led emcee for the ceremonies Remi Bazinet, to exclaim: "We've got a good working crew here." Much of the hard work councilors referred to would be a result of the initiatives contained in Mayor Freeborn's inaugural address.
Prior to laying out a list of nine initiatives the Mayor told council the challenges they face are many and varied. He pledged however, to provide the leadership required to address these ongoing issues throughout the council term. "That being said it is also my intention to seek full council support for a number of initiatives that I believe will set our community on a course of progressive recovery and sustainable growth. The initiatives for which the Mayor will seek consensus from Council are: The creation of 100 new full-time permanent jobs in the next four years, an update of the Community Strategic Plan, a full review by
Council of the status of all current economic development projects, a renewed vision for community and economic development for Chapleau. The Mayor also c a l l e d f o r establishment of a Youth Committee as a committee of Council. He also wants council to play an active role in the ongoing efforts of Doctor recruitment and retention. In the next term of office the municipality would see the incorporation of the Master Heritage Museum Plan. Mayor Freeborn wants a definitive Downtown Beautification Plan and commitment to do it. And he has called for the elimination of downtown parking
meters. Also on the mayor's agenda is the extension of the community communal water line to West End residential taxpayers. "I realize that this is an aggressive agenda and at the same time I welcome projects from individual Councilors as well," stated the Mayor adding: "citizens have the right to have access to their Mayor and Council and I am committed to continuing my past open door policy for any citizens needing assistance during the upcoming term of office. I look forward with great anticipation to a productive four years for the Town of Chapleau and I believe we have the right team in place to accomplish our goals."
The newly sworn in Mayor and Council ready for action. From left to right, Jacques Tremblay, Keith “Bud” Swanson, Mayor Freeborn, André Byham and Doug Creig
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