Mayors show guarded optimism for 2022

By Mark Ribble

REGIONAL — The annual Leamington District Chamber of Commerce (LDCC) Mayors’ Breakfast was held virtually once again, as community leaders and business people gathered on Zoom to hear local mayors Nelson Santos and Hilda Mac- Donald give their overviews of 2021.

The two mayors also gave some optimistic news and updates on what to expect from each municipality in 2022.

Chamber Manager Wendy Parsons started off the proceedings, talking about how they had to pivot to bring the gathering into Zoom rather than the preferred in-person meeting.

“We were planning on having a wonderful breakfast at the Portuguese Club where there is lots of space, but as we’ve had to do over the last year and a half, we had to pivot once again,” she said.

She did announce that the Chamber had distributed 59,900 rapid antigen tests last fall to 327 businesses, a program that has been paused due to supply issues. She is optimistic that the Chamber can get back up and running with their program for local businesses soon.

Chad Robinson, current VP of the LDCC, was also optimistic that 2022 can be a better year.

“It seems that January 31 will be a step towards our goal and for that, I’m grateful,” he said, referring to next week’s easing of current restrictions.

Essex County Warden Gary McNamara gave an opening address to all those in attendance virtually, assuring them that MacDonald and Santos have their backs.

“During these difficult times, you have strong and determined leaders in your communities,” he said.

Leamington Mayor MacDonald took the virtual podium and outlined some of the challenges that Leamington experienced in 2021, touching on the use of the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Complex as a testing and vaccination centre.

She said that the complex began the year as a possible field hospital, then shifted to a testing centre and finally a vaccination centre that delivered about 45,000 shots into the arms of Essex County residents.

She was particularly grateful for the Essex-Windsor EMS and Erie Shores HealthCare.

“COVID has been relentless on our front-line and first responders,” she said. “Many are still going strong, while some are teetering.”

She credited the leadership of Bruce Krauter with the EMS and Kristin Kennedy with Erie Shores HealthCare for keeping things going strong.

She also touched on the OPP contract expiration, the greenhouse light abatement by-law and the boarding house bylaw, before sharing that the former Leamington District Secondary School building on Talbot Street is on the agenda for the next council meeting.

“We are planning the return of Mill Street Markets, Music on the 42 and other community events,” she said.

Kingsville’s Mayor Nelson Santos agreed with MacDonald on the leadership provided by Krauter and Kennedy, saying the pair has been instrumental in fighting the pandemic locally.

He also urged everyone to work together to bring the region out of the effects of COVID.

“If ever there was a time we need to work together, this is the time,” he said. “I see a community that is the best of the best.”

Santos outlined the events and happenings that shaped Kingsville in 2021 and showed a nicely produced video to drive his point home.

“It’s not I, it’s not you, it’s us,” he said, reiterating the view that we all have to work together.