Presidents Message

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

JUNE 2010

On behalf of the Board of Directors of OAPSO, please accept my greetings as President, and my personal best wishes for a safe, yet fun summer season.

I write to you hot on the heels of our most successful Annual Conference and Training Session, held May 30^th – June 4^th, 2010 at St. Clair College, Windsor, Ontario.  We were thrilled to welcome 187 delegates to this session, our highest enrolment to date.  Special thanks are extended to all Board members for assisting with this rather daunting undertaking.  A welcoming BBQ started off the week in fine form.  Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens again proved to be excellent hosts for our Monday evening entertainment.  After several days of intense classroom sessions, both Tony Krolo and Ian Sirota provided some much-needed humour on behalf of Yuk Yuk’s On Tour at our Presidents Dinner.

Windsor again proved to be an excellent site for our annual conference.  I would like to offer special thanks to the staff of St. Clair College and the Residence Centre.  I would also like to offer my personal thanks to both Mr. Al Peach and Mr. Pier DeSimone of the City of Windsor for their on-site assistance.  The Board also acknowledges the kind assistance of Mr. Brian Green of Owen Sound for attending to instruct the Level 2 Construction sessions on his personal time.  Brian’s skills and support of OAPSO are most appreciated and much is learned from his teaching expertise.

The Education Committee has met to finalize exam details and to strive to improve our sessions based on your input.  All suggestions are welcomed and will be reviewed.

I would also like to welcome Mrs. Shelly Kunkel of the City of Brantford to the Board as its most newly elected Director.  Shelly’s passion for property standards enforcement will be most welcomed by the Board and I look forward to working with Shelly in the future.  It is with mixed emotions that I do welcome Shelly, as past Director and past President Mr. Shayne Turner decided to step down from the OAPSO Board.  Shayne has proven over the years to be a driving force for OAPSO, by overseeing the development of OAPSO chapters, spearheading strategic planning sessions, and through his work on various joint initiatives such as the AMCTO Project Team and the Provincial Advisory Group.  While Shayne has agreed to remain on our Education Team, his work ethic and wit will be missed around the OAPSO Board table.

OAPSO continues to meet with MMAH staff regarding their dedicated 1-day Property Standards Training Program.  We have updated the material and are working on the fine details of the contract for delivery of training of this program.  The Ministry has asked OAPSO to be the lead trainer for this program and we are honoured and keen to fulfill this role.  The OAPSO Board feels strongly that this type of program and training should rest with OAPSO as per our mandate to be the leaders in property standards enforcement training.

OAPSO Registrar Mr. Bill Chatwell confirms that all OAPSO Annual Dues have been invoiced.  Please confirm that your municipality has secured these dues to ensure that both your membership and certification are maintained.

Please mark Friday, October 29^th, 2010 on your calendar for our next Regional Conference, being held in the Municipality of Clarington.  Coordinator Len Creamer has organized an interesting agenda that you are sure to want to attend.

I would also encourage you to contact Mrs. Noreen Knight of our Executive regarding the Property Standards Professional Designation offered through the Ontario Municipal Management Institute (OMMI).  Congratulations to newly recognized members Deb McCulloch (Twp. Of East Gwillimbury), Robert Scruton (Town of Innisfil), Aaron Sloan (City of Kawartha Lakes), and Edward VanderWindt (Haldimand County).

I would further like to recognize and encourage the continued development of the OAPSO Chapters in Waterloo Region and area, York Region, Eastern Ontario and Northwestern Ontario.  I have since received interest from both the Niagara Region and the Muskoka area for the creation of such Chapters.  Please feel free to contact either myself, or Directors Shelly Kunkel or Derrick Andersen for further assistance with OAPSO Chapters.

In closing, we welcome your input and support to continue the fine work that OAPSO provides to its members and municipalities.  Please enjoy your summer, play safe and take in all that Ontario has to offer.

Sincerely,

Garry J. Anderson

Garry J. Anderson CPSO,CMM III

Property Standards Professional

OAPSO President