The year is coming to an end and what a year it has been.
The first year for a new council is always a big learning year. Learning the mayor’s role was no exception. Being available and participating in as many events as possible was very important to me and the warm welcome I received from everyone was much appreciated. Representing Cochrane in and out of town has been a real honour and I thank you for that.
I wanted as well to thank another group of individuals that, over the last year, have either been learning new roles, as newly elected officials, or better expanding their understanding as returning councillors.
Jeff Toews, Morgan Nagel, Gaynor Levisky, Tara McFadden, Mary Lou Davis and Ross Watson have all done a very good job as your elected councillors.
We all have different opinions and ideas and, as we have worked through challenging issues over the year, each councillor has done a great job expressing themselves and sharing what they believe are the interests in the community.
Respecting each other and our differences, in my opinion, is the most important value to be learned through those challenges.
This council has done a very good job of that and I thank them very much.
It was a very productive year as a result and we have accomplished many good things, the decision to move forward with the new aquatic and curling centre likely being the greatest accomplishment.
There is a lot of work to be done still and I have utmost confidence in this council.
From my family to yours, have a great New Year and all the best in 2015.
