COBDEN — Art Cobb was presented with a Senior of the Year Award by Jim Labow, Mayor of Whitewater Region Township.
For many years, Mr. Cobb has been the volunteer co-ordinator of the Cobden Tourist Booth as well as having a political career spanning 25 years, he said prior to Wednesday’s council meeting.
Through secret shoppers, the tourist booth has received high marks for its operation, Mayor Labow said. Mr. Cobb has been the full time co-ordinator of the tourist booth on Hwy. 17 for many years. He has been successful in staffing it with friendly and very knowledgeable people, Mayor Labow added.
“I want to thank Art for his work in organizing the volunteers who man this booth and for greeting visitors from all over the world as they pass through, and stay awhile, in Whitewater Region,” Mayor Labow stated.
Following the presentation of the certificate, Mr. Cobb said there are about 50 volunteers who are very conscientious of their work, which covers just under 150 shifts.
He thanked the office staff for their help over the years, especially Hope Dillabough.
“Hope is my right hand,” he said. “She does the figuring out of my scratching (writing). She does a good job. But, it is team work,” he added.
Mr. Cobb said it is disappointing that in the past few years, he knows of only one councillor who has been to the tourist booth.
“I would appreciate council coming and see what we do. We do a lot of work with a great force of volunteers,” Mr. Cobb stated.
Following accolades from Reeve Don Rathwell on behalf of Renfrew County, Mr. Cobb pointed out Cobden’s tourist booth is the only visitor centre in the county that is operated by volunteers.
