2009 - 12 - 03 - Column
2009 - 12 - 03 - Column
On the first Monday in December in 1969, I was elected as councillor in the Township of March. Kanata was then a small part of the Township. Campeau Corporation was about to take control of developing Kanata from Bill Teron, the Queensway was yet to be built to Kanata, and the Kanata Standard was a monthly community newssheet. As mother of three young children (five, two and three months) and a community representative on the Kanata Beaverbrook Community Association (KBCA), my life was busy. I had been going to council meetings on behalf of the KBCA and contributing to the Kanata Standard, but wasnt planning to run for office until I asked Ray Simser if he planned to run and he responded no, how about you? I thought about it meetings were at night when the children were in bed, I had been involved in the community, and knew the issues and I had a supportive husband. So I put my name forward and became the first women to run for office in the Township and to be elected. Now, in my 20th year in office, serving my community has become a key part of my life. Next Monday, friends have put together a Celebration to mark the occasion and to help me raise funds for youth facilities in the soon-to-be-built Kanata North Recreation Complex. Much has happened over those 40 years and much is still to come. Im honoured to be able to continue to be a part of the community and to ensure that Bill Terons vision of a Garden City is achieved.
Brunet, the 19-year-old student who received the 2009 Civic Appreciation Award for Youth, will carry the torch to City Hall, arriving there at 2:16 p.m. on Dec. 12. Later that day, the NCC will have an event on Parliament Hill with entertainment, fireworks and the lighting of 300,000 Christmas lights. Watch for details of the route and come out to cheer the torch on towards the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Coming events
Dec. 6 5 p.m. Ceremony on ending violence against women, Mlacak Centre Hall D Dec. 7 Dinner to mark 40th anniversary of my first election, Brookstreet Hotel Dec. 9 6-8 p.m., Visioning Session for new Kanata District Library, Mlacak Centre Dec. 12th, 2:16 p.m., arrival of Olympic Torch at City Hall Dec. 16 6 9 p.m., Public Meeting on Kanata North Recreation Centre, Earl of March High School Cafeteria