At times we have the good fortune to step back from strife and conflict to celebrate the good in our community.
Such an event played out at last week’s City of Powell River council meeting. In his opening remarks, Mayor Dave Formosa announced the meeting was packed with good news and he was right.
First up was recognition of Dan Ouellette, Powell River’s fire chief who was recently presented with the Fire Chiefs’ Association of British Columbia Meritorious Achievement Award. Professional and auxiliary firefighters lined the walls in council chambers to participate in congratulating Ouellette on receiving this prestigious award, the highest honour that an active chief can receive.
Next, Formosa paid tribute to Captain Rick Robins, who has served as the fire department’s chaplain for just over two years. He and his wife, Captain Jennifer Robins, have been the Salvation Army pastors in Powell River since 2006. They have been transferred and will soon be leaving the community with their three children. The couple has been instrumental in many successful community projects and initiatives during their time in Powell River and as Formosa pointed out, they will be missed, by many.
All the seats in council chambers were full that night. Many people came because of the next big announcement. Greg Hemphill, president of the Powell River Community Forest Ltd. board of directors, presented council with the 2012 dividends, a cheque for $539,950. Community organizations apply for these funds throughout the year and the board makes annual recommendations to council. This year the board chose, as Hemphill said, an eclectic list of projects to fund. Representatives of the organizations that received the funds attended the meeting and expressed their gratitude to council and the community forest representatives.
Most of that money, which came from a local organization managed by volunteers, will find its way to local businesses, which will be contracted to work on the projects. It’s a fine example of the power of local and the benefits that accrue from many people working together for the benefit of the community.
Over the weekend, the community celebrated the graduating class of 2013. This event, always exciting and moving, marks the passage from youth to young adulthood. The graduates are a product of their homes, their schools, their jobs, their involvement in the community up to this milestone in their young lives. They are ready to walk on the world’s stage, but wherever they go, Powell River will remain the place they remember for the rest of their lives.
