Presidents Message

June 25, 2008

Welcome to the website of OAPSO, the Ontario Association of Property Standards Officers.  I encourage you to surf our user-friendly site, superbly managed by our website coordinator and Director, Catherine Goddard.

My name is Garry J. “Woody” Anderson, and I was recently elected President of this fine Association at our most recent conference in Niagara-on-the-Lake.  Having been first elected to the Board in 1997 in Sudbury, I most recently served as Vice-President since 2005 under the fine tutelage of our immediate Past President Len Creamer.  I am currently employed by the City of Brantford, as their Manager of Property Standards & Bylaws.  I want to thank the Board for the honor and privilege to serve as President for this coming year and I herein want to thank and commend all Board members for their desire and commitment to work for the betterment of OAPSO and its deserving members. 

Warwick Perrin of the City of Toronto was recently elected Vice-President of the Association.  Warwick has been one of the hardest working Directors for quite some time now, as he also chairs the Education Committee, which is the driving force of our mandate.  Our most recent conference in Niagara, although successful, was not without issue.  Warwick has taken it upon himself to take a hard look at our current curriculum and promises some improvements.  Under Mr. Perrin’s masterful guidance, I look forward to what comes of our certification program.  It is in good hands. 

Director John Lane of the City of Hamilton continues to oversee the financial affairs of the Association with his usual efficiency.  Yvonne VanHoek of the City of Mississauga returns to assist us with administrative duties, much to the gratitude of the Board.  Director Bill Chatwell of the Town of Aurora has agreed to resume his role as Membership Chair, so beware of the flood of outgoing invoices.  Mr. Chatwell and the Board as a whole would appreciate your attention to the payment of any such outstanding dues.  Director Kimberly Bimm of the City of Kitchener has graciously agreed to continue overseeing the preparation and presentation of our Newsletter, which admittedly has never looked better.  We look forward to future issues with much excitement and pride.  Director Noreen Knight of the Town of Caledon has offered her organizational talents in organizing our Fall Regional conference in October in her home municipality.  More news to come from Noreen, on what promises to be an informative and enjoyable day. 

I would like to welcome back Shayne Turner from the City of Kitchener as a Director.  Shayne brings a wealth of experience and energy that OAPSO can only benefit from.  Director Bill Smith of the Niagara Region returns and has again resumed his care of OAPSO’s Business Plan Committee.  The Association’s corporate profile has been dramatically enhanced with Bill’s business acumen and we look forward to continued growth in this area.  The afore-mentioned Catherine Goddard of the City of Brampton enjoyed re-election to the Board and has agreed to remain on as our masterful Website Coordinator.  Catherine has also generously consented to take the lead on our 2009 Annual Conference in King City.  It is comforting to have Catherine’s leadership skills and professionalism involved relative to these tasks.  Again, OAPSO is in good hands. 

I would like to welcome first-time Directors Derrick Andersen of the Town of Uxbridge and Craig Calder of the City of Ottawa.  Derrick has assumed the role of Legislation Chair, while Craig will take over the Certification portfolio, enjoying some assistance from former Chair Lori Reith.  We look forward to many years of service from both Derrick and Craig, and thank them for standing for election to the Board.  Last, but certainly not least, I pay homage to Len Creamer, immediate Past President, of the Municipality of Clarington.  They are certainly large shoes to fill.  Len’s vision and gentle demeanor continue to be an asset to OAPSO, as Len will continue his hard work with the Provincial Government as our Ministry Liaison.   

It is with some regret however that we say goodbye to the afore-mentioned Lori Reith of Ottawa, Jim Harris of the Township of Cramahe, and Doug Cark of the City of Brantford.  All three of these dedicated professionals served OAPSO with pride and humility and their personas will be greatly missed.  The Board will be challenged by their absence. 

My vision for the new Board is to build a harmonious team for the betterment of our members.  The O in OAPSO stands for Ontario and we are well represented within the Board.  My hope is that this will serve us well outside of the Board as well.  My plan is to pursue a more positive working relationship with several similar associations including OBOA and AMCTO, continue Shayne Turner’s fine direction towards the implementation of OAPSO chapters throughout Ontario, and to strive to grow OAPSO as a first-class professional association that our members can be proud of. 

Please join us on this journey and engage your Board members with your enquiries, concerns, issues and support.  We welcome all such input.  Thank you. 

Respectfully

Garry J. “Woody” Anderson

OAPSO President 2008