WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — On July 17, the Township of Whitewater Region passed a by-law which appointed members to the Seniors and Older Adults Task Force. A call for volunteers for the task force was done in June. Applications were reviewed and qualified applicants were recommended to Council. Documentation provided by the Township lists members and their qualifications.
Sheila Broome is retired and has lived in Whitewater Region her whole life, between Beachburg and Forester Falls. She retired after 40 years as a Registered Practical Nurse. Sheila has volunteered in many capacities as part of the Women’s Institute, Writer’s Club, Boy Scouts as well as other community organizations.
Bev Buchanan was born here in WWR and has resided here her whole life. She has been very involved in local business, having operated a grocery store in Beachburg as well as Buchanan’s Sand and Gravel. Although she no longer has the grocery store, she continues remains very busy with Buchanan’s Sand and Gravel. Over the past number of years Bev has also been an active volunteer with the Whitewater Bromley Community Health Clinic Board as well as the Lanark Renfrew Health and Community Services Board.
Bonny Johnson was born and raised in Whitewater Region. Formal education began at SS #9 Ross in Grade 1 and continued to McMaster University graduating as a Nurse Practitioner in 1982. She began her career at Bonnechere Manor as a summer student in 1972 and worked in both frontline and leadership roles in hospital, primary care, and teaching, in both Canada and the United Kingdom. In 2016 she was awarded the Joe Leonard Award from the Transformational Change Award Association of Ontario Health Centres, for her advocacy work and leadership to establish the Whitewater Bromley Community Health Centre.
Gary Juby is retired and has lived in Haley Station for the past 29 years. He has 40 years experience with Fraser’s Clothes Shop and another 18 years selling cedar strip canoes as well as kayaks from his home in Haley’s. He is an active member in the Haley’s United Church and is currently Chairmen of the Board of Stewards.
Connie McLaughlin is a semi-retired cow/calf farmer from Haley’s for the past 50 years. She has a number of years of also working off-farm in the local area. In the past she was an active 4H member and leader, as well as serving as the Renfrew County 4H Coordinator. Connie has also served as President of the OFA for Renfrew County. Connie remains an active member in the Haley’s United Church.
Sheila O’Brien has lived in Beachburg for 15 years. She retired from a career in public relations, export contracting, planning & analysis and public policy development in the federal government. She has volunteered as a member of the Whitewater Region Library Board for seven years, is an active member of the Riverview Seniors Social Club, and has past volunteer experience with the Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation for seven years and the Britina Woods Food Bank for four years.
Will Patterson has 17 years management experience in health care and has lived in Whitewater Region for over 10 years. He moved from New Brunswick to be closer to his grandkids and currently resides in Cobden.
By-law 19-05-1170 adopted terms of reference for the task force, which serves in an information gathering and advocacy role. It provides recommendations and advice to Council regarding the development and provision of services by the Township or partner organizations to those over 55 years of age.
Councillor Neil Nicholson was appointed as a council representative with by-law 18-12-1123 and Chief Administrative Officer Robert Tremblay will serve as the staff liaison.
The motion on Thursday, July 17 was moved by Councillor Nicholson and seconded by Councillor Charlene Jackson.
