I arrived in what is now Whitewater Region almost 40 years ago. As I get older, I become more impatient and I am very frustrated by the slow growth of development and opportunity here. My children and their friends are in their mid twenties and I want a Region where they can work, play and raise families. Right now, that is difficult, not only here but in all of rural Ontario. For that reason, I filed nomination papers for council a few hours before the deadline. I did not want to do it. My plate is full with Wilderness Tours, our jet boating companies in Niagara and Montreal, Whitewater Village, Horse Country Campground, the Barn at Buseater and our new Ottawa City Adventures. And we are hosting the 2015 World Freestyle Kayak Championships and I am now a publisher.
It’s obvious the last thing I need is to sit on council. But then I started thinking If not me, who? If not now, when?
Here is an email that I received this morning which succinctly sums up my sentiments.
Joe, a quick note of congratulations and appreciation to see your name on ‘the list’, now we may be able to expect a little life in Whitewater and the possibility of taking the region out of reverse in time! We are going backwards fast!!! Never have I heard such angst and negativity toward a group that seem to be so oblivious to the needs and expectations of the community!! We need a shakeup for something/anything to happen! It should be interesting! Good man!!!
I say to all our readers make this the election to kick start our region. More later…
Joe
