Wellington County council opened its Nov. 26 meeting with a moment of silence to reflect on the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris, France.
The reflection came after councillor Pierre Brianceau gave an account of learning of the attacks while attending Wellington County’s first warden’s bonspiel in Harriston.
Brianceau relayed details about his efforts to check on the safety of a relative who was in France at the time. He said the attacks brought home the urgent danger of terrorism as well as its reach.
“Now it’s become clear that everyone is a target,” said Brianceau.
Mayor George Bridge reported the inaugural Warden’s Bonspiel raised nearly $1,200 to assist refugees from war torn Syria.
Bridge said the money would be distributed through two local churches, Mount Forest United and Knox Presbyterian in Elora, which are planning to sponsor refugee families.
“I think both those groups are doing what I think is right and bringing families over,” said Bridge, who said he feels community support is vital to resettlement programs.
“We’re doing things the right way in bringing them over to some kind of structure … to a place to live and maybe a job.”
