Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-07-22, Page 14Page A14 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, July 22, 2009 Goderich's Clerk -Administrator role complex and rewarding studio . J l , Studio C Is excited to welcome Kristen Nairn, specializing In ... • • deep tissue/aocupressune massage swedlsh massage • reflexology • hot stone massage • relkl • Indian head massage • Ion -cleansing 25% off your first visit with Kristen until the end of summer loci( your Dsst...who said love is bind• Lucknovw 519-528-5068 • "TO BE OR NOT TO BE" We can't answer that question but, is it time to refinance your mortgage or buy a new home? For the answer, call or stop in today and speak face to face with Mike or Ciwisty. Or, we will work around our schedule and come' to our home. Mike Hodges Christy Alcock Mo tg • e Agent Mortga ! e Agent [30() f#.. M0 001240 chri .a�lc ock©mi. rou ..ca GODERICH Canada's prettiest town The Town of Goderich would like to thank the following for their support of the American Wind Symphony Orchestra: • 104.9 The Beach, Goderich Hydro, Donnelly & Murphy, Epcor Ontario The Park House, Sifto Canada, Goderich Signal Star, Seaforth Insurance Broker Ltd., Lyons & Mulhern Insurance, Sholdice Insurance Ltd., Kleinknecht Insurance Broker, Elliott Nixon Insurance Brokers, Bruinsma Excavating Ltd., Gardiner's of Goderich, Expedia CruiseShipCenters, Scott & Company Trucking, Richard Peever, Bank of Montreal, Blue Horizon Pools & Spas, MicroAge Basics, The Village Bookshop, Margaret Keith & Family, Delbert Shewfelt, Paul and Marilyn Elgie, Pupil's Purchase, Rotary Club of Grand Bend and Gary & Barb Sholdice. Special thanks to all Committee Members, Service Clubs, Host Families and Volunteers who helped with the event. The following taro supporters were omitted, in error, from the Corporate Sponsor List. Plane accept our apologies for the error. THE PAIK HOUSE SIF1'O CANADA I was interested in doing a profile on Lany McCabe for two reasons. I wanted to know more about the person behind the job of our Clerk-Adminis- trator I also was curious about a fellow who elicits polar opinions from a variety of • individuals. There are those who .are quick to identify Mr. McCabe as being effi- cient, prepared, high-energy, knowl- edgeable, and very well-connected There are also those who define him as intense, territorial and inflexible. A life long resident of Goderich, a husband and father, Larry McCabe has been employed with the Town of Goderich for thirty-three years, only the twelfth clerk since 1850. He began in 1976 as Deputy Clerk - Treasurer and three mayors later he continues as out town's Clerk -Ad- ministrator. Larry describes himself as a juggler of many responsibilities, the goal of which is to protect the interests of our town on many fronts. His statutory and advisory duties in clude but are not limited to: developing policy/proce- dures, by-law resolutions, formulate recommendations to council, coordinate town council, secretarial func- tions, manage town staff, conduct municipal elections, manage records and compile information as needed. He's on call 24/7 and is usually available to answer the calls and questions from the community, which, he reminds me are in no short supply. "I like that in my job no day is the same. From a call about a wild animal running up a street to a staff issues to overseeing meetings, the variety of what I do appeals to me most," said, Mr. McCabe. He sees his involvement in various Association of Municipalities of On- tario taskforces and committees as a benefit to our town because he is in a great position to plug our town into provincial initiatives, grant applica- tions and programs that arise. It concerns him that those who might be critical don't understand the magnitude and complexity of what it Photo by Gerard Creces Defibrillator for the GFD Lions Club president Bill Vanstone presents Goderich fire chief Steve Gardiner with a cheque for $2.095 to purchase a defibulator for the fire department's rescue truck. Great Cars. Great Rates. Ask about our great daily, weekly and monthly rates! Cali or visit us today! Highway 21 south of Goderich at Hyundai of Goderich. 519-524-1795 ThillartierAnral A Licensee or Dollar Thrifty Aucomollw Group, Inc. or ifs Mists. takes to juggle several duties, service the public and deal with as many as a half-dozen issues at once. The pace of managing a munici- pality was once tedious and wrought with binding rules and regulations giving the impression of inflexibility and always having to do things by the book. • "While the checks and balances are still there, but have streamlined a bit, what's changed over time is that mu- nicipalities need a good team working together to turn challenges into oppor- tunity," reminded McCabe. 'The difference these days is that being able to recognize the opportuni- ties and turning things around needs to happen much quicker than in the past," he adds. I asked Larry McCabe about the impression some may have that there is little opportunity. for the public to input into the future vision of Goder- ich, that the decision has been made by a select few and for the public to offer up ideas is a waste of time. He reminded me that the elected council has the last word on every- thing. Larry was adamant that the public are always welcome to input on any number of issues that affect our citi- zens. In fact, on most issues it is man- dated that the town offer up forums and opportunity where the public can openly have input into the process. He looks ahead to the development of a more user-friendly town website as yet another way that the public can stay in touch and communicate with town hall. McCabe expects that the new site will be up and running by the fall. He sees opportunity for public input developing in the near future as we move to develop the waterfront and as we continue to maintain services that contribute to the well-being to those who call Goderich home. Over the past few years he has toured many representatives from other municipalities through our rec- reation centre, library, and medical centre. They leave here wanting to know how they can get what we al- ready have. "Our quality of life is envied by many," said, McCabe. On a personal note, Lany has no plans to retire any time soon even though he's not without opportuni- ties. When he gets some down time Larry enjoys spending time with his family. He can also be found on the golf course, in his garden or immersed in historical books. Personally, and professionally it's safe to say that Goderich's Clerk -Ad- ministrator is in a very good place. He feels that the town is in good hands and expects that we'll weather the economic challenge if we work as a team and all pull in the same direc- tion. I think so too.