Gananoque council holds meeting at local school

On Tuesday, Gananoque council held its first-ever meeting at Gananoque Intermediate Secondary School, as part of Local Government Week.

The purpose was to engage with the students, the future of the community.

“Our thanks to the Upper Canada District School Board and principal Christena Harrow for this opportunity to bring our council to the students of GISS,” said Mayor John Beddows, after the meeting.

“We are their municipal government, and I hope that the students who attended the meeting are now a little more aware that we work for all residents of Gananoque, of all ages, and that they are entitled to be heard and shape town policy by engaging with us directly.”

A meeting like this, in front of the youth of Gananoque, is something Beddows has been pushing for, for some time.

All of it felt like a regular council meeting, because it was. Only the setting was different, and it was attended by students.

Town clerk, Penny Kelly, and deputy clerk Lynsey Zufelt were in attendance, helping co-ordinate the meeting, while councillors, along with chief administrative officer Melanie Kirkby, director of parks and recreation Jeff Johnston, head of planning Brenda Guy, Fire Chief Gord Howard, and Det.-Cst Mike Boyles of the Gananoque Police Service, all provided briefings on their roles, responsibilities and the ways in which they serve the residents.

“Local government is your government,” said Beddows.

“I am personally grateful to have had this chance to take our government out of the council chamber and bring it to a place that helps shape the future of our town.”