About 150 people filled Quinte West city hall to welcome 2017 with Mayor and council today(Sunday).
In his address, Mayor of the City of Quinte West Jim Harrison got the crowd laughing right off the top.
As part of the naming of a long list of special guests, the Mayor offered a special welcome to CFB Trenton Base Commander Colonel Colin Keiver and his wife Jennifer.
“Thank you for your continued support and superior leadership. What a fantastic International Air Show!!! It’s the best traffic jam in Quinte West!!”
Mayor Harrison went on to thank the many volunteers that make the city tick. He listed volunteers’ contributions to such events as Santa Claus parades, and the Christmas light displays in Trenton and Frankford.
Moving to other city business, Mayor Harrison said that healthcare will continue to be a priority in 2017 and that the city will continue to attract new doctors and will work to support a “walk-in clinic”. He also paid special tribute to the citizens’ advocacy group OurTMH for their hard work protecting and expanding services at Trenton Memorial Hospital.
The Mayor pointed to the completion of the beautiful Trent Port Marina at the mouth of the Trent River and stressed that with the federal government waiving all lockage fees and entrance fees to federal parks in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, 2017 could only be a great year for anyone in the boating business.
The Quinte West Chamber of Commerce was praised by Mayor Harrison for its work in helping over 40 new or existing businesses open and/or expand in 2016.
Coming up in Quinte West this year (2017) will be the completion of the Consolidated Public Works Operations Centre, design work for a new OPP headquarters.
A new fire hall in Trenton will be built in 2017.
Meanwhile, last year saw many capital projects completed, including a new ball diamond and soccer pitch in Centennial Park.
2016 was a boom construction year in Quinte West with permits issued for 323 new residential units. Total construction value for all projects in the city last year totalled 142.3 million dollars.
Before raising a glass to toast the new year, Mayor Harrison thanked the city’s many first responders who worked to keep city and residents safe 24 hours a day.