2012 Mayor's Levee serves as a reflection of past year

Woodstock Mayor Art Slipp highlighted many positive things for the town of Woodstock at the 2012 Mayor's Levee, held today at Connell House.

The new year was welcomed in style and in a historic setting.

The 2012 Mayor's Levee was held on January 1st, 2012, at the Connell House in Woodstock. The ceremony on New Year's Day has become an annual fixture over a period of nearly five years. The first levee was held under former Mayor Jeff Wright.

Woodstock Mayor Art Slipp called the ceremony to order. Slipp acknowledged Woodstock CAO Ken Harding, who usually acts as the event's master of ceremonies. Harding was ill and could not be in attendance, leaving Mayor Slipp to act as MC in Harding's absence. Slipp also praised the presence of Miss Woodstock 2011 Ashley Black.

From left: Woodstock Mayor Art Slipp and Miss Woodstock 2011 Ashley Black

Slipp's introduction was followed by a prayer by Pastor Dale MacDonald of the Woodstock Wesleyan Church. MacDonald also closed the ceremony with a blessing of the snacks and light refreshments which were served following the ceremony.

The crowd burst into laughter when Slipp thanked the local public works staff for their work in making town streets safer.

"I know the weather is not the best, which brings me to thank the town public works crews [for their hard work]," Slipp said with a smile. "The fact that we were able to make it up this driveway is the work of public [works] staff and private enterprise."

"Great partnership there."

Emily Clark, who sits on the Carleton County Historical Society board, spoke on behalf of the historical society. She also extended well wishes for the new year.

"I would like to wish everyone a very happy new year. We are all very proud of Connell House, and we would like to thank the whole community for their support throughout the year," Clark said.

Emily Clark

Mayor Slipp reiterated Clark's message by welcoming attendees to Connell House, and encouraging first-time visitors to tour the house and take in the various exhibits. Slipp also reviewed many highlights from the past year, along with his hopes for 2012.

"The Town of Woodstock's number one priority remains the modernization of the artistic, cultural and recreational infrastructure of the greater Woodstock region," Slipp told the crowd.

"During 2011, continued progress was made on our application for funding to undertake an addition to the L.P. Fisher Library, a renovation of the Woodstock High School Theatre and a major expansion of the Carleton Civic Centre."

"While it has been a long process, an architectural firm will soon be chosen to begin design work for each component of the project."

Slipp added that the town will consult with the Local Service Districts (LSDs) every step of the way.

"Later this year, we will meet with representatives of our surrounding Local Service Districts to update each LSD on the current status of the project, [and] to discuss design options and to outline the additional funding required to assist with the increased operational costs of improved recreational facilities at the Carleton Civic Centre."

"This is a tremendous opportunity for the citizens of the area to work together on a regional basis to provide our children and grandchildren with much improved cultural and recreational experiences."

The mayor pointed out the ongoing street improvements in the town.

"The New Brunswick Department of Transportation and the town will continue to work on [improving] the designated highways. More work is planned for Connell Road and Lower Main next summer," Slipp noted. "The traffic light installed this summer on Connell Park Road near Woodstock High is working well. More importantly, it addressed a major safety issue. Students now have light-controlled crosswalks on Connell."

Slipp also made note of the upgrades carried out on the vacant lot at the corner of Main and Queen Streets, and announced council's plans for the former Carleton Memorial Hospital site.

"After a street through the former hospital property to access the new Centennial Elementary School has been determined, the town will begin to consider a development for the rest of the site," Slipp said.

The mayor acknowledged the installation of panels on the front lawn of the L.P. Fisher Library in commemoration of two former New Brunswick premiers, James Kidd and Hugh John Flemming. The panels were installed as part of the Promenade of Premiers Initiative's efforts to salute all of New Brunswick's premiers since Confederation in their respective hometowns. Slipp said that the panels "have become an important tourist attraction and they complement the town's historic walking tour."

Slipp announced that the Business Improvement Area Committee will consult with council to fund a project in the downtown area in the summer of 2012. He pointed out that the project's scale has yet to be determined, but it will serve to improve the central business district. Mayor Slipp went on to mention that the town will fund sidewalk repairs beginning in 2012, and that undertaking will be an ongoing one.

The town of Woodstock's total budget for the year 2012 is $7.56 million. Basic tax rates will remain at $1.42 for the sixth consecutive year, and water and sewer rates will go unchanged. Assessments across the town increased by 3.4 percent. There was a two percent decrease in the unconditional grant, and approximately $1 million in capital expenditures.Slipp said that cuts had to be made in the second half of 2011 to offset cost overruns in snow removal and major repairs at the town's wastewater treatment plant. He saluted CAO Ken Harding, finance committee chair Peter Kennedy, and all other department heads for their help in making the cuts.

"Overall, in my humble opinion, the town has never looked better."
-The words of Woodstock Mayor Art Slipp upon concluding his speech



Mayor Art Slipp and Miss Woodstock 2011 Ashley Black