From left: Chamber Board members John Bosman, Phil Hughes, David Marshall, President Simon Boersma, Treasurer Charlene Whitfield, Vice President Sheldon Fingler, and Chamber Manager Jaye Arcand. Not shown: Board members Don Summers, Steve Hammond, Linda Getzlaf, Frank Burdzy and Kym Moore. – Stephen Dafoe Photo
By Stephen Dafoe
Morinville – A mixture of new and old faces are now 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 Wednesday afternoon to install its new board.
Assuming the role of Chamber President is Pleasant Homes co-owner Simon Boersma, a businessman who served as vice president last year. Second in command is Infinite Event Services owner and Morinville Town Councillor Sheldon Fingler, a man who has served as both vice president and president in the past. Replacing long-time Chamber Treasurer Paula Hittinger is Charlene Whitfield, owner of Blind Designs. All three of the executive were elected by acclamation.
Joining the Chamber Executive are Directors at Large Frank Burdzy and David Marshall of Champion Petfoods, Servus Credit Union Branch Manager Kym Moore, Morinville Auto Body owner Steve Hammond, Re/Max realtor Linda Getzlaf, Professional Realty realtor Don Summers, Phil Hughes of Premium Food Services, and John Bosman of Westlock’s 97.3 – The Range. All eight directors at large were elected by acclamation. Marshall, Hammond, Summers and Bosman are new faces on the board, the others returning members.
Outgoing President Heather Folkins said she was pleased to have served as Chamber President. “It’s been my pleasure to serve as your Chamber president for the past year,” Folkins said, adding she was proud and thankful for the work her board members put into the organization. “It’s been a very active board.”
New President Simon Boersma is looking forward to taking the helm and continuing the work the Chamber has already been involved in, particularly in the areas of policy development.
“I think we have a lot to offer as a small community,” Boersma said. “There’s a lot of big communities on board at the Alberta level, at the provincial level. I think we need to speak for the smaller communities. With the growth ability in our community and some of the changes in place this last year, it’s been great to sit as the vice [president] and now as president.”
Boersma said he is pleased with the work the Chamber has done with the Town over the past year, particularly on the Highway 642 Functional Planning Study and Coeur de Morinville Area Structure Plan, the former recently approved by Council, the latter set to go to second and third reading June 11.
“We’ve forged great relationships with the Town,” the Chamber president said. “The Town’s keeping us apprised of certain things. As a Chamber we want to make sure the business community stays aware of the rules and bylaws that are applied for within the Town.
Boersma said he feels the Town is on the verge of some strong develop opportunities. He and the board are looking forward to working with the Town to continue the work beign done with respect to 100 Avenue. He is also looking forward to forging a strong relationship with the businesses in Morinville’s downtown core.
