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Burrows says goodbye

A number of events, “both good and bad,” occurred during Jack Burrows’ tenure heading North Bay council, and the outgoing mayor highlighted them Monday night in his last meeting before political retirement.





















A number of events, “both good and bad,” occurred during Jack Burrows’ tenure heading North Bay council, and the outgoing mayor highlighted them Monday night in his last meeting before political retirement.

Wearing his chain of office, which he had “repaired and cleaned so that I can hand it over to the new mayor looking new,” Burrows said there were events “that either impacted or threatened our city,” which stood out in his memory.

The first was the “near migration” of 22 Wing CFB North Bay to another city.

North Bay, Burrows said, had experienced the closing of 414 Squadron and the Canadian defence department was moving to consolidate branches of the armed forces to fewer and larger centres.

Sod already turned
The underground Sector Air Operations Centre, in North Bay, Burrows said, had been on the verge of moving to Winnipeg.

But through the efforts of Nipissing MP Bob Wood, city and DND staff, Burrows said, former Defence Minister Art Eggleton decided to retain SAOC in North Bay for 20 years.

And, Burrows said, Prime Minister Jean Chretien has already turned the sod for construction of the new above ground SAOC facility.

“The economic impact of losing that facility has been estimated at $15 million annually to our city, not to mention the many fine men and women and their families who would have moved away,” Burrows said.

Fear of bad water
The second threat to the city, Burrows said, was the water scare of 2001, which came about following “the unfortunate events” in Walkerton.

“We were centre stage in Ontario because of the spreading fear of bad water in public systems and the fact that the premier of the province lived here and brought the focus of the media to our city,” Burrows said.

As well one Toronto newspaper in particular, Burrows said, “concentrated their efforts on linking the premier’s home town with the ongoing witch hunt throughout the province for any hint of inappropriate public water system deficiencies.”

The city was able to “stay the course,” Burrows said, although the hard part was convincing people outside of North Bay “that there was no water crisis and it was safe to maintain their plans for business and holiday travel.”

Another difficult event council had to deal with, Burrows said, was the incorporation of North Bay Hydro and the resulting changes in staff and management direction.

“This was a difficult time for long time employees of the hydro and members of council who found ourselves in the middle of a long, drawn-out dispute,” Burrows said.

One of the best things
On the positive side 18 call centres have opened in North Bay employing 2000 people, Burrows said

New construction projects took place, including a new fire hall, an addition to police headquarters, a new air terminal and the aquatic centre.

As well, Burrows said, work has begun on the largest construction project in North Bay’s history, the new North Bay Regional Health Centre.

The purchase of the rail lands, Burrows said was “in my estimation, one of the best things we have done because it will create a new heart for our city and support the future of our downtown.”

Top quality of life
In terms of quality of life, Burrows said, North Bay has fared well in national comparisons.
One showed the city “in the top quartile of best cost and efficient city administration.

Other categories showed our city to be in the top quality of life category comparisons.”

Moody’s bond rating service also increased North Bay’s ratings by two points, Burrows said, “allowing borrowing to be done at a cheaper rate.”

Burrows then thanked city staff “for their commitment and dedication,” singling out his secretary Nancy Avery, “who has kept track of me and events, and between she and Elaine, I have been kept out of trouble.”

He also thanked the outgoing council, who gave him standing ovation along with the visitor’s gallery.

Burrows then returned to his seat and conducted the rest of the meeting, adjourning it 90 minutes later for the final time.