There were plenty of stories shared Sunday in honour of two men who collectively devoted nearly 60 years serving the Municipality of East Ferris as members of council.
Former Mayor Bill Vrebosch was thanked for his commitment, dedication, and leadership during his 40 years working for the community.
And former councillor Richard Champagne was praised for his 16 years of dedicated work helping the community grow.
Their accomplishments were recognized at a special luncheon attended by family and friends, at the East Ferris Community Centre Sunday afternoon.
Fellow politicians, some from neighbouring communities, as well as representatives from some of the boards on which they sat, took some good-natured jabs at the pair. But each speaker also spoke highly about the two, pointing out their commitment to their community, and their hard work over the years.
In return, Vrebosch, who now sits as a member of North Bay City Council, alongside his daughter deputy mayor Tanya, spoke very highly of the men and women he has worked with over the years, and the successes they had along the way.
He continues to sit on provincial communities fighting not just for East Ferris but other northern municipalities.
Vrebosch has built a reputation for going toe-to-toe and not backing down from any minister when he is fighting for something he believes will benefit his community.
Something he has stood by for four decades.
“In 1976 I was on the planning board. In 1977 I put my name up for election and in ’78 I had my first council meeting.”
Asked to share what he is most proud of as a 40-year politician, Vrbebosch was quick to say that it is the people.
“I’d like to say a building, or a road or something, but I guess it is the community and the way it has grown. I watched the community come from about 12 or 15-hundred people to over 5,000. I’ve watched the community build from a rural area to a semi-urban,” said the former mayor.
“I’ve come from a place now where you’re proud to live in East Ferris, proud to work here, and I look forward to doing the same thing in North Bay.”
Richard Champagne has devoted 16 years to municipal politics, which also included sitting on a number of provincial boards and associations.
“I’ve sat on the Health Unit for almost 16 years, the Ontario Good Roads Association I believe it is now 11 years. I used to sit on the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Association board for I believe eight years, minor hockey for around seven years as president, that’s going back 30 years ago, but I enjoyed every moment of it.”
The highlight of his political career is his work with the North Bay-Parry Sound District Health Unit.
“I got there and I didn’t really know what was going to happen or what it was all about. You’re actually representing municipalities, making them aware about what’s out there. I got involved in the needle exchange program and I really had no clue what it was. I thought we were talking about four or five needles. When I got there 16 years ago, we’re talking 50,000 needles. And you think, wow, awareness has got to be number one.”
Champagne says he is a firm believer that “you have to walk the walk before you can talk the talk.”
Like Vrebosch, the former municipal councillor gives credit to the town’s growing success to the countless volunteers.
“You can be chair of whatever committee you want, but if you haven’t got the people to work with you, you’re nobody. I keep stressing that. When you come to the meetings always listen to everybody. Everybody has a comment or their own direction, but you have to listen to them. They may be right. I stand very firmly that volunteers make your base. It doesn’t matter who you talk to.”
East Ferris Mayor Pauline Rochefort pointed out the two men have had a hand in some of the communities bigger projects including the expansion of the community centre, the library, and the community health centre..
“They have been committed to East Ferris and transforming East Ferris over the years from what some people might describe as a rural township, into now a municipality that with roughly 5,000 citizens. So, a wonderful contribution by both Bill and Richard.”
Rochefort credits the men with leaving a lasting legacy on many levels.
“Our community is very decentralized, and so we have a lot of various activities and facilities and programs and services. And these men are behind so many of these initiatives that are present in our community. So yes, definitely a lasting legacy.”
