Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 Good evening…and thank you for being here to share this important night as we transition towards the future. I have to say that since October 27th…the feeling that has been my constant companion is a feeling of profound ‘Thankfulness”… Thank you to the people of Caledon who cast their votes…my family for their unconditional support…my campaign team who worked tirelessly… AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 1 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 Thank you to all who put their name forth to serve Caledon in this past election. And thankfulness for the mentorship…challenges…and experiences over my lifetime…that have brought me to this place today…having the privilege…to serve as the 7th Mayor of the Town of Caledon…in this our 40th year! AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 2 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 A deep well of thankfulness for Mayor Marolyn Morrison and the other outgoing members of council for their exemplary service to Caledon…people I am privileged to call both colleagues and friends…Richard Paterak, Richard Whitehead and Patti Foley. Together the outgoing council represents 111 years of service to Caledon…That is awe-­‐inspiring. Without their diligent stewardship…of which I am PROUD to have played a part over the past 11 years along with my fellow returning members of AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 3 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 council…I am confident that today standing here before you…WE would not still have the opportunity to create the Caledon of our dreams…. I’m humbled…and excited at the same time. I believe Caledon’s future is bright and our time is now! Speaking of NOW…there is a crisis of confidence in Customer Service at the Town, which severely limits Caledon. Do you remember the television AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 4 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 drama “ER” that ran from 1994 to 2009? That show launched the careers of heart throb George Clooney and Julianna Margulies, who today stars in “The Good Wife.” It was good drama and good television. Tonight I want to reframe ER…when you think ER I want you to think with measured urgency in terms of a Capital E and a Capital R for two ideas…EMPOWERMENT and RESPECT. AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 5 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 I believe that these are more than words…they represent two elements central to our successful path forward. Empowerment and Respect between council and the people that we represent today…and the people we will represent in the future. Empowerment and respect between council and staff…between elected representatives and the media…between staff and the people they serve, AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 6 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 Empowerment and respect between each other. ER will advance the goal of “rolling up the red tape and rolling out the red carpet.” American clergyman, author and inspirational speaker John C. Maxwell said: “tend to the people, and they will tend to the business.” That’s what we’ve got to do… AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 7 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 TOGETHER…create a culture that is: • open • informed • innovative • solution oriented • and customer centric…that demonstrates a passionate Caledon first mentality…and meets the needs of all stakeholders. We need to bring back the ‘CAN DO’ attitude from our pioneering spirit of the past… AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 8 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 I ask you to look to the person on your right……..and the person on your left……..glance at all the people gathered here tonight. Moving Caledon forward in a Caledon planned…Caledon designed way is the RESPONSIBILITY of all of us. More importantly…it’s an OPPORTUNITY for all of us! I’m asking you to embrace…participate…and share the idea…expect it of yourself and others so that AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 9 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 Empowerment and Respect becomes a benchmark across the Town. Reintroducing Committees of Councils to our municipal government will provide opportunities for increased public involvement and the means to allow us to increase our capacity…by bringing local knowledge…expertise…and experience to specific challenges that impact where we live…and the quality of life issues that affect us all. AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 10 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 Know this Caledon…I intend to hold myself…our council team…and our staff accountable to this path and look forward to sharing with you the benefits that we all stand to derive. Using the best available of new technologies to develop and communicate vision and progress…will be part of Caledon’s future. Today…high-­‐speed internet is where electricity and telephone were 100 years ago. It is an essential service…and to ensure our options for AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 11 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 growth can be designed as we want…we NEED to provide High Speed internet seamlessly across the Town. This will allow us to attract a myriad of high quality businesses and support the work, live, play aspect important in Caledon to balance our tax base…and make Caledon living affordable for ALL life stages. The solution by necessity will have to be innovative…and ingenious…and MUST get done. AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 12 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 Caledon residents have time and time again demonstrated their resilience and commitment to a unique Caledon. By virtue of our size…over 700 square kilometers of area and a relatively small population of only approximately 68,000 people…we stand out. You’ve often heard me say that 81 per cent of Caledon land is protected…which means the special care and creativity must be exercised in the planning of the remaining 19 per cent to safeguard the unique community of communities AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 13 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 lifestyle…our rich agricultural and equestrian lands…the environment…recreation…tourism opportunities…and natural wonders. It’s critical that we get it right. To those who confuse the Municipal Act’s call to represent everyone by placing the emphasis on the ‘ONE…know that the emphasis is truly centered on the ‘EVERY. AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 14 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 When you act from an uninformed place…become divisive…serve self-­‐interest or third party interest…YOU are hurting Caledon. United we are stronger. A strong Bolton is made stronger by a strong Inglewood…Belfountain is made stronger by a strong Mayfield West. AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 15 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 My point is that ‘TOGETHER…on the same page…supporting each other…and working together…Caledon as a whole is stronger. This does not mean that we will always get our individual WANTS met…but it offers the best opportunity to get what Caledon NEEDS. Divided we will falter…and the sacrifice will be our ability to maintain control of our own destiny. AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 16 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 In the age-­‐old adage-­‐-­‐if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem…you drain energies…introduce negativity…and derail a thriving future for all of us. The solution is not to quash these voices…it is to spotlight them with the light of day…and verify the motives…incorporating legitimate concerns into the discussion and discarding all others. We are ALL on the same side here. AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 17 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 I can’t make this point strongly enough. Your council being sworn in this evening represents 52 years of service to the community and many of your elected councillors are lifelong residents. Each one of us…like you…have chosen to make Caledon our home…raise our families…and we are EACH committed to you and the community. Significant pressures are on our doorstep. AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 18 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 Growth is prescribed to municipalities by our provincial government and our population numbers are under review. 2015 will see reviews of the Niagara Escarpment Plan…The Greenbelt Review…and The Oak Ridges Moraine. The Provincially driven GTA west corridor will significantly impact Caledon. AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 19 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 There are calls by some residents to review our Official Plan Amendment 161 on aggregates. This would be disastrous for Caledon…Caledon is the ONLY municipality that has SUCCESSFULLY negotiated the protections afforded under our Official Plan.…However…bringing stakeholders to the table to look at amendments may work to our advantage by raising the bar and including best management practices with the aggregate industry through a community aggregate working group. AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 20 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 Later this week five of your Caledon representatives will also be sworn in at the Region of Peel…. With the retirement of Emil Kolb…a former Caledon mayor and our Peel Regional Chair for the last 23 years…we are going to have a new Regional Chair this term of council. There are calls by some people to reduce the number of Caledon seats at the region. AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 21 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 As part of my campaign…one of my four pillars was the commitment that ANY move to limit Caledon’s representation would be adamantly opposed… And I remain firmly committed to that. Joining me at the Regional table…acting always on YOUR behalf…will be four regional councilors who were not sitting at the table when council broke before the election. This means the very first vote for some of our brand new representatives may in fact be one of AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 22 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 the MOST important votes of not only THEIR career…but in the history of the Caledon and Region of Peel relationship. As your five Caledon councilors take their seats later this week…our responsibility to YOU…our Caledon residents…is to ensure that WE elect the BEST candidate who will ensure that Caledon’s representation remains strong. You can…and should…expect nothing less. AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 23 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 In the face of these pressures…our way forward lies within the pioneer spirit and engagement of the people. I have been clear all throughout my eleven years of service…that I BELIEVE Caledon’s strength is ITS people. As I’ve said…I’m excited about forging a clear vision with YOU to guide Caledon’s future. AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 24 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 Like an ECG that takes the pulse and tracks right to the heart of the matter…let’s let Engagement…and Communications…be our Guide. Tonight’s oath taken by Councillors Doug Beffort…Nick deBoer…Johanna Downey…Annette Groves…Jennifer Innis…Gord McClure…Rob Mezzapelli…Barb Shaughnessy…and myself…is a solemn promise to EACH of YOU: • to exercise our office impartially… • to refuse corrupt influence… • to disclose conflicts of interest… AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 25 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 and to “bear true allegiance” to the Queen. It’s been referred to as ‘moral suasion’…and is our call to act ethically…and above reproach. To at all times do the right thing…as well as maintaining the appearance of doing the right thing. It is a reminder that we are in a position of utmost trust. AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 26 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 At the end of the day it isn’t about what I believe…or what I do…it is about what ALL of us in Caledon believe…and what WE do. Caledon…our future is bright… From a point of view of EMPOWERMENT and RESPECT for each other…and the strength and determination from our rich pioneer heritage…to govern for today and for tomorrow…so that our children’s children can thrive in Caledon…with the AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 27 Allan Thompson -­‐ Inaugural Speech -­‐ 2 December 2014 assurance…that we safeguarded it for future generations to come. TOGETHER………….WE CAN. AT_Inaugural Speech 2 Dec 2014 Page 28