ABERFOYLE – In addition to family, friends and supporters at the inaugural meeting of Puslinch council, a special notation was made to students from Aberfoyle Public School.
CAO Karen Landry called to order the Dec. 5 inaugual meeting for the upcoming term.
Members of the new council include: Mayor James Seeley and councillors Matthew Bulmer, Jessica Goyda, Ken Roth and John Sepulis.
In his inaugural remarks Seeley thanked those for attending the gathering.
“It’s great to see some familiar faces in the crowd from Aberfoyle Public School,” Seeley said.
“Going forward I see that this council will have some significant decisions to make that will affect this community, but I am confident in the wonderful mix of individuals here to make the best decisions for our community.”
He said he is looking forward to working with the new council.
“There have obviously been some changes and we are going to bring some new ideas and personalities to the table,” he said.
Looking to the future, Seeley said, “We really need to focus on this Highway 6 bypass for our community (Morriston).”
He explained that with the change of provincial government, “It seems we are still not sure if it is a go.”
Seeley intends to speak to the new minister of transportation to explain the importance of the work moving forward.
“Water taking permits continue to be an issue,” he said, adding the township wants to address these on a scientific basis.
“As I’ve said, we have some very significant decisions to make in the very near future and we want them to be informed decisions.”
He said he appreciated seeing youth in the audience and encouraged the students to give back to, and take part in, the community.
“I hope that some day you aspire to be in the position I am today,” Seeley said. “I plan to have an open door. I always want to be talking to people in the community. It is very important.”
Bulmer said the new term will be his fifth on council.
“When I look back over all my time, probably one of the most difficult decisions … was whether to run again or not,” he said “When you know what you are getting into and what is required of you, you don’t want to do it unless you are sure you are making a difference and giving the community value.”
He noted the support of his family and the most recent election, which required candidates to gather signatures from the community for his their nomination papers.
“It meant that other people had to find value in what I was doing,” he said.“I must say when you are sitting at the (council) table, you are not always certain you are making the right decisions, but having to go and get those signatures you discover whether other people feel you are making a difference.”
On a lighter note, Bulmer wanted to celebrate the end of a Puslinch tradition.
He noted that in December 2000, at his first inaugural meeting after being elected to Puslinch council, he was 36-years-old, then the youngest member of council.
“Unfortunately, remaining the youngest member of council … became a tradition.”
He laughed “… and I don’t think someone with a salt-and-pepper mustache should be the youngest member of council.”
He was pleased that tradition came to an end.
He also hoped a new tradition has started with the invitation of Aberfoyle Public School to the inaugural meeting.
Councillor Ken Roth agreed the Aberfoyle students are the future.
“If I can be up here (at council) … any one of you can,” he said.
He thanked his wife Cheryl for her support and those who voted for him.
“I look forward working with the new council and moving the township forward in a productive and affordable manner,” he said.
Councillor John Sepulis thanked residents who voted for and believed in him. He also thanked his wife for her support.
“My overarching objective on council is to keep the Township of Puslinch sustainable and livable for all of us,” Sepulis said.
He said this could be accomplished by keeping taxes low, addressing social and recreational issues, and dealing with environmental issues – including built environments.
Sepulis said he will champion alternative sources of revenue for the township and find cost savings to keep taxes low and affordable.
Sepulis wants all residents to have access to reliable internet service and natural gas and to have their road concerns addressed.
“It is really great to see all these students on this special day,” said councillor Jessica Goyda.
“Today, I couldn’t be any more proud to be sworn in as a member of council in a township which I love and where I grew up.”
She expressed her gratitude for all the help and contributions of friends, neighbours, collegues and family members during the campaign period.
She specifically referred to her husband, Steve, “who is always my biggest fan and whose ambition inspired and motivates me to always put my best foot forward.”
She also extended a special thanks to her mom and dad.
“You both gave me the confidence I needed whenever I doubted myself. You saw the best in me,” she said.
She thanked her voters for putting their trust in her.
Goyda hopes to see increased lines of communication with the public, an updated website and development of a social media policy to create an online presence and communication which is relative to all age groups.
