After spending the four days in London, Ontario at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference, I can honestly say that Cornwall is headed in the right direction. Along with fellow Councillors Bernadette Clement, Maurice Dupelle, Syd Gardiner, Glen Grant, Elaine MacDonald and Andre Rivette I was able to connect with several representatives from other municipalities across Ontario.

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Cornwall - Aug. 24, 2011 - After spending the four days in London, Ontario at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference, I can honestly say that Cornwall is headed in the right direction.

Along with fellow Councillors Bernadette Clement, Maurice Dupelle, Syd Gardiner, Glen Grant, Elaine MacDonald and Andre Rivette I was able to connect with several representatives from other municipalities across Ontario. There were several opportunities to discuss shared concerns such as tax levels, arbitration and the ability to pay, roads and sewers, purchasing dos and don’ts to name a few.

The Conference also allowed us to meet several top managers from various companies that work with municipalities including some we’ve already met because they have contracts or have a location in Cornwall (FCM Recycling tops that list).

We were given the opportunity to listen and interact with Premier Dalton McGuinty, Conservative Leader Tim Hudak as well as head of the NDP Andrea Horwath as well as several Ministers of the current government. While we didn’t get a whole lot of answers from the Ministers, questions and answer period was kept to broad topics instead of direct ones, it was interesting to watch a room with hundreds of municipal politicians interact with provincial ones.

After attending a couple of sessions and listening to how other municipalities dealt with problems they had and some that they continue to deal with, I walked away with a sense that Cornwall and it’s top managers are on the right path, specifically with our ability to balance the books and communicate with each other.

Cornwall was even mentioned as a thriving community in outgoing AMO President Peter Hume’s address to the 1500 plus delegates at the wrap up dinner.

Team Cornwall was given props by Councillors and Mayors who were given cards by our group as a unique and innovative way to highlight Cornwall.

If I were to grade my first AMO Annual Conference, I’d be comfortable giving an “A”.

I’m glad the 2012 convention is in Ottawa just so we don’t have to deal with Toronto area traffic.