Inaugural Speech 2011

For those of you who missed the inaugural meeting

Thank you everyone for coming out this evening.  It is wonderful to have you here for the inaugural meeting of the 2011-2014 Council.

Thank you to Judge Brian Daley – As with everything that you do, you have made this evening more special.

Thank you to Inspector Pat Egan and Corporal Shelkie.  Your presence here and witness to our oaths reminds us of the dedication and commitment that we make. 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Our path to success rests upon a  clear understanding of what we want to accomplish and a clear plan to get us to that destination

We either take the reins to create our future or someone else, something else will do it for us. 

Today we will say good – bye to two of our colleagues. 

Today we will say hello to a bold, determined and re-energized future because our community deserves nothing less.

In these days of unprecedented global economic upheaval, we must at a local government level be nothing less than diligent in our practices of sustainability.

Through collaboration with our academic institutes, industries, businesses and service providers, I propose to initiate a workforce strategy. 

That proposal will come to council early in the new year for consideration and participation from council

While quality of life and community attractiveness is a complex notion it has great influence in attracting skilled workers and families to our community so it cannot and will not be overlooked in this strategy. 

This workforce strategy will plug directly in the creation of a proactive plan for our local economy. 

A vital aspect of this economic plan is transportation. 

We must ensure our transportation infrastructure is used to its highest use. 

Air Service providers must understand that lack of Alberta destinations and the high cost of flights is impacting our cost of doing business in Fort St John and our ability to recruit the skilled workers needed for our community.

At the next meeting of Council, I will be bringing forward a request to council to consider one of our seats on the Airport Society be filled by a local resident with knowledge in that industry.

To ensure sustainable growth, Fort St John must maintain a strong financial position. 

We will build a culture within the council of financial responsibility and I will set that tone from the top.

Therefore any council investments made in our community must be done with due diligence, good debate, consistent focus and good governance. 

Council will be creating and sending out monthly enewsletters to connect with you. 

You are welcome to join this newsletter list to stay up to date on the issues and projects in the City.   

Conversations will soon focus on the 2012 budget; Affordable housing; Downtown renewal; fire hall updates and other opportunities to connect with Mayor and Council.

We have a future that as many of you know is very well worth participating in. 

I am looking forward to this term because the future is here

Fort St John is the second largest community north of Kamloops, we need to take our place.

We are the host to Canada’s most northern Agriculture area, a robust forestry industry and the Energy industry in BC.

We are one of three cities in Canada north of the 56^th parallel. 

We will showcase and we will celebrate our successes as a northern city. 

We will celebrate the successes of our youth, our residents, entrepreneurs, artists and industries in the fields of sports, culture, music, education, arts, innovation and more.

Fort St John is the Energy Capital of BC – and our residents make it the Energetic City.

I will end with a quote from George Bernard Shaw:

“The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want and if they can't find them, make them.”

Thank you.

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