by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION — Whitewater Region Mayor Mike Moore believes if rural Ontario’s municipalities work together, rural Ontario can survive.
“The challenges that lie ahead for this region and rural Ontario are incredible,” he said in his inauguration speech at Monday night’s swearing-in ceremony of the new council. “The most significant driver of those challenges is the global trend of urbanization. Eighty percent of Canada is urbanized and will continue to become more so. Urbanization is the result of numerous political, social, economic and technological changes.”
He continued, “This will continue to put pressure on rural Ontario and Renfrew County to adapt and find new ways to stem the flow of residents into our major cities.”
Prior to taking his seat as the top official in the township and addressing those in the crowded chambers, the inauguration took place.
Khloe Bertrand of Haley Station sang O’Canada while Rev. Kevin Moratz gave a blessing.
This was followed by each of the seven council members taking the oath of office.
Returning as councillors are Charlene Jackson, Daryl McLaughlin, Dave Mackay and Chris Olmstead. Newly elected as a councillor is Neil Nicholson.
Cathy Regier, who was a councillor for the past eight years, was elected as reeve and Mayor Moore was elected to the top position.
Chief Administrative Officer Robert Tremblay, who chaired the start of the meeting and overlooked the swearing-in, said it was great to see so many family and friends attend the event, honouring those who will be the council for the next four years in Whitewater Region.
Taking his seat with the Chain of Office draped over him, Mayor Moore was ready to address the crowd, those in council chambers and those watching it live via the Internet.
“I would like to thank Whitewater Region residents, again, for the trust and faith they have placed in me to lead Whitewater into the future,” Mayor Moore said.
He thanked Khloe and Rev. Moratz for taking part in the inauguration ceremony.
“Every one of us elected to council worked hard to reach this room tonight,” Mayor Moore said. “That work, as you know all too well, didn’t end on Oct. 23 – it is only just beginning.”
He reminded council that it is part of a larger network of municipalities that have the same struggle – urbanization and keeping residents in the municipality.
“If Whitewater is to remain a viable place to live and to invest in, we must make economic development our top priority,” Mayor Moore said. “We need to empower our very own experts in the business community by giving them a platform and help to develop the Whitewater Business Council.”
The business council can become a powerful voice and be the liaison and connection to the larger business councils – Upper Ottawa Valley Chamber of Commerce, Renfrew and Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ontario East Economic Development Commission.
The township must continue to offer all the comforts and expectation that Whitewater Region can afford, he said. This includes improving cell and internet services east of Muskrat Lake.
It’s also important to adapt to change and keep up with emerging trends, he said.
“One of the changes I am looking to bring about is finding new ways to engage the public,” Mayor Moore said.
He recalled that he ran a “very public campaign on social media” and he wants that to continue, not only to engage the public but to ensure there is transparency.
Mayor Moore said he pledges to ensure the trust and faith the voters placed in him by electing him to the office will never be misplaced.
“I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and I urge all of council to get a good rest, because come January we are going to hit the ground running.”
