Special presentation, 2012 partnerships highlight Brockville New Year's Levee

Posted Jan 12, 2012 By Doreen Barnes

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EMC News - The start to 2012 launched officially in Brockville the morning of Jan. 1 with the annual New Year's Levee.

"Let's start off with a very special presentation, a five-year medal being presented to Stewart Fisher, of the Brockville Infantry Company (1862)," said Brockville Mayor David Henderson in kicking off the event, held in the foyer of City of Brockville Victoria Hall. "This is a special year for the Brockville Infantry Company, it's their 150th year."

Following the award, Henderson asked United Counties Leeds and Grenville Warden and Augusta Township Reeve Mel Campbell to say a few words.

Campbell brought greetings and noted there's a mutual interest with considerable energy this year being directed to such subjects as collaboration of ongoing economic development, opportunity for social housing regeneration, and embarking on an integrated sustainability plan.

"I predict further additional benefits for the entire region as we work together to bring success," said Campbell.

As for Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark, he made reference to the previous year's elections and said he felt the public is looking at 2012 as the year to get things done.

Clark spoke about the Latin carving in the Chamber woodwork at Queen's Park which reads, 'audi alteram parterm' and means 'hear the other side'.

"I think as we move forward in 2012, no matter whether it's from the municipal government standpoint, certainly it should be for the minority provincial parliament and federal parliament," said Clark. "Hearing the other side would be a great resolution for all of us to have for 2012."

When Leeds-Grenville MP Gord Brown took to the lectern, he gave a bit of history relative to levees and where the tradition came from which, he said, was from the influence of the British and French heritage.

Brown went on to say that the public has a lot to look forward to in 2012.

"Here in our region, there's the commemoration of the War of 1812 along with a lot of skirmishes," told Brown. "As well, we have the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II and a royal visit by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall."

As Brown continued, he said that Canada has weathered the economic downturn rather well and asked for the public's input for the 2012-2013 budget.

Before Henderson wrapped up the event, Lt. Col. Jeff Shaver said a few words about the Brockville Rifles.

"We have had an exciting year," said Shaver. "Our year consisted of all our soldiers returning home from the Afghanistan theatre and a week-long training exercise in the far north with Canadian Rangers."

Shaver also spoke about other exercises along with the regiment celebrating its 145th anniversary last October.

"This year we have a busy training calendar with flying 30 of our soldiers to Fort Knox, Kentucky for specialized training," indicated Shaver.

He went on to indicate that the Brockville Rifles is honoured to accept the offer of perpetuation for the Battle Honour of Niagara which will be awarded later in the year.

Lastly Shaver expressed vacancies in the regiment for anyone wanting to join the Brockville Rifles.

At that point Henderson acknowledged the flag which hangs in the City of Brockville Victoria Hall foyer. It was taken to Afghanistan by soldiers to be signed by all the Brockville Rifles who served there.

Henderson noted the need for partnerships and cooperation of municipalities in this region working together as a whole.

"It's that level of community connectedness across the area, partnerships you will see that going forward," said Henderson. "What people are really starting to realize is that we are a lot of small communities in this area and if we don't all pull together in the same direction, then we are not going to have a competitive advantage, we are not going to be on top of the game."




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