The North Bay Taxpayers' Association has a new president.
It's present board member and vice-president Miles Peters and he replaces Mark King who will remain with the group as Past President.
King is also a sitting city councillor.
Peters has founded, developed and managed a number of industrial enterprises and manufacturing firms serving a variety of resource based industries, railways, defence enterprises, telecommunications, hospitality and retail.
He says the highest priority will be to set the conditions in the city to the point where it will be attractive and appealing for entrepreneurial business development and hopefully some industry and manufacturing that's going to create some sustaining jobs for the community.
"There's not going to be a major industry plopped into our lap. We'd love to see it happen but we certainly can't plan around that, so what we'd like to do is get the conditions set based on where we are logistically and with our populations structure to have things appealing. We have to have conditions like the tax levels and cost of operating the city to a point where we are competitive with other areas and appeal to the fact that people can make a living here and our children can stay here."
Peters is also hopeful that the recently-announced City Operational Review will produce recommendations for cost savings and efficiencies that the volunteer group has been urging council to identify since it was formed three years ago.
“If city councilors can help staff understand how urgent the need is for the municipality to start living within its means, this process could represent a positive turning point in our city's history,” says Miles Peters, incoming association president. “We congratulate Mayor and council for recognizing that they have an obligation to eliminate all but essential spending on behalf of the people being asked to pick up the tab – the taxpayers.”
Peters said the association also welcomes the analysis being conducted by the Baylor Group, and sees the retirement of the city's Chief Administrative Officer as an opportunity to incubate fresh ideas among city staff.
“We want to extend our most sincere wishes to Jerry Knox for a healthy and well-deserved retirement.”
In addition to nominating Peters as its new president, the association acclaimed the following executive members at its annual meeting:
- Gary Gardiner, vice president;
- Don Rennick, treasurer;
- Elizabeth Fournier, secretary;
- Catharine Hunter, membership secretary;
- Maurice Switzer, media relations and
- Mark King, past president.
- James Brien and Cheryl Whitesell are executive members at large.
Former North Bay citizen and Domestic Executive Banker, Lorne Smallwood, has agreed to serve another term as an ex-officio board member focusing on research and financial logistics.
Bill Tufts, Founder of Fair Pensions For All, will remain as an ex-officio member providing professional insight and critical advice on pensions and pension reform.
