Twolan recognized for hard work as chairman of Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Cities Initiative

Huron-Kinloss mayor Mitch Twolan was honoured Monday night (July 4) by township council and staff for his hard work and dedication as chairman of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Cities Initiative for 2015-16.

Deputy mayor Wilfred Gamble (above right, with Twolan) presented a plaque to Twolan, noting that the mayors of this organization are a prominent voice in efforts to protect and restore the vitality of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, and improve the quality of life for the residents of the region.

"Our lakeshore is a valuable asset to the community of Huron-Kinloss," said Gamble, "and we appreciate your efforts over the past year representing Huron-Kinloss and the County of Bruce on this committee."

As an aside, Gamble said there are two people who will appreciate that his term as chairman is over: Gamble as deputy mayor, and Twolan's wife, Brittny.

"And my kids," said Twolan.

Gamble pointed out some highlights of the past year with Twolan as chairman of the organization:
 

• Oct. 6, he led a group of 20 mayors and local officials in the inaugural Queen's Park Legislative Day
• In December, he attended the Climate Summit for Local Leaders in Paris, France
• In February, he represented Huron-Kinloss in Washington at the White House during the Washington Great Lakes Days
• He has been instrumental in accelerating the work and forging partnerships with the agricultural sector, to develop a water-management strategy to reduce the transportation of phosphorus off agricultural lands into the watercourse
• Ongoing work on solutions surrounding the Asian Carp, clean and safe drinking water, best management practices for Phragmites, and phasing out the use of micro-beads
• Council appreciates his added time and commitment and spreading the word of the good water-stewardship practices, and lakeshore protection efforts, that have been instituted throughout Huron-Kinloss

Gamble presented the plaque to Twolan and said council would like to place it in the council chamber to recognize Twolan's contributions.

Councillor Jim Hanna then read a tribute from Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb, thanking Twolan for all his hard work on the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, as chairman for the past year, and wishing him all the best.

Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson (at right, with Twolan) dropped in to also congratulate Twolan on his contribution. "What you've done is put Huron-Kinloss, Huron-Bruce and Ontario on the Great Lakes map, and that is so important."

She said there's no doubt that Huron-Kinloss is glad to have Twolan back, but she wished the chairman's job had been a two-year term.

"I remember I accidentally ended up going to a Great Lakes Conference in Buffalo," she said, noting that, thanks to Twolan, she got the information she needed to understand the issues surrounding the protection of the Great Lakes Basin.

"As rural municipalities, it's important to make our voice heard," said Thompson. "Just recently, the decision was made to allow Wisconsin to take 31-million litres of water from the Great Lakes, but nobody from Ontario had a voice on that decision. We need to keep up the pressure. Thanks, Mitch, for your hard work."

Twolan said he was honoured to serve as the chairman for a year. "Thanks to council for this plaque and the recognition. I appreciate the time you allow me to do these things. Huron-Kinloss is definitely on the map."