Newly elected members of the Morinville and District Chamber of Commerce Board pose outside the cultural centre after their Annual General Meeting June 4. From left: David Marshall, Kym Moore, Phil Hughes, Simon Boersma, Barret Dupuis, and Steve Hammond. Not shown: Sheldon Fingler, Brad Boddez, David Pashley and Charlene Whitfield. – Stephen Dafoe Photo
by Stephen Dafoe
Morinville – A mixture of new and old faces are once again at the helm of the Morinville and District Chamber of Commerce. The business advocacy group held its Annual General Meeting at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre June 4 and elected its Executive and six Directors at Large by acclamation. The 10-member board is two members less than the board elected to the task in 2013.
Assuming the role of Chamber President once again is Pleasant Homes co-owner Simon Boersma, a businessman who served as vice president in 2012 and who was elected president by acclamation in 2013. Second in command is Infinite Event Services owner Sheldon Fingler, a man who has served varyingly as president and vice president in the past. David Marshall of Champion Petfoods is the new treasurer and Kym Moore of Servus Credit Union is the organization’s new secretary.
Joining the Chamber Executive as Directors at Large are Brad Boddez, owner of the Body Shop Fitness Centre; Barret Dupuis of P&B Petroleums Ltd.; David Pashley of Champion Petfoods; Phil Hughes of Premium Food Services; Charlene Whitfield, owner of Morinville Blind Designs; and Steve Hammond of Morinville Auto Body.
]Successful year
In his president’s address Boersma said he felt the year was a successful one and that he was proud of the Chamber’s board and staff who engaged as a Chamber weekly on a local and regional basis throughout the past year.
“This past year has been a year of tremendous growth in Morinville, and our board has been busy working with our community on various objectives and needs in the community,” Boersma said in his address, noting among the organization’s accomplishments its advocacy and awareness programs, its efforts with the Visitor Information Centre, and its ongoing discussions about the lack of doctors in the community. Boersma went on to include the Chamber’s involvement in the annual St. Jean Baptiste Festival and the their attendance at the annual Canadian Chamber of Commerce sessions in British Columbia as high points in the Chamber’s past year.
Boersma also prided the Chamber on having attended 90 per cent of Morinville Council meetings over the past year where the Chamber’s goal has been to better understand the processes and work being done in the community. Boersma said the Chamber has also been active in speaking for businesses in the industrial park with respect to the lights being installed at Cardiff Road and Highway 2.
Moving forward
The business organization is looking forward to continuing the work the Chamber has done over the past year. “We’ve set the pillars for change,” Boersma said after the meeting, adding the Chamber has worked well with its members and other organizations in addressing the issues and concerns of the local business community. Now the Chamber wants to broaden its outlook. “I think that is my objective this year – to work closely with the County and the local communities,” Boersma said, adding the Chamber will work locally to strengthen its position in Town, particularly through the Chamber having a seat on the Economic Development Working Group. “I’m really looking forward to … being part of that.”
