6 Friday, November 30, 2018 brooklintowncrier.com North Ward Councillor - By Steve Lee Election night was quite the experience and I walked away with a result that was truly amazing, and more than I could have hoped for. I am thankful so many of you have put your trust and faith in me for this job. I am humbled and grateful for all the kind words so many of you have sent me. I want to fill you in on what's been happening since the election. I am not quite the North Ward councillor just yet as I have yet to be sworn in. There's a bit of a transition period between the election and December 3 at the inauguration and swearing in ceremony. Over the past month, I've been working with the town to get setup. There are a few days of training coming up to meet the town staff and get familiar with their system to better serve the residents. Lots of emails have been going back and forth, both with the town and residents. Addressing issues A few of you have written or called me about issues and I'm doing my best in this transition period to address them. Rhonda Mulcahy has been great as I come in to fill in her shoes. She's still available to residents and she and I will be working together to ensure that Brooklin and Whitby are well represented. There are a few other things that have been happening this past month as well. I've been invited to some town events as councillor-elect, which was really nice and welcoming. I've also had a meeting with the mayor. We're working on council goals for the term and those will be coming shortly. I'll be presenting at a grand opening of a local business in early December. I will also be in the Whitby Santa Claus parade so I encourage all of you to come out with your families. I know it will be a great time for everyone! Being available Once sworn in and officially set up as North Ward Councillor, I want to make sure you are heard and represented. We have a few things to look at right away and I plan to jump straight into the hard work. I want to make sure I am available and working for you. The Town Crier is also generous to provide this column for me so be sure to look out for my messages. I will be using this space to fill you in on things happening in the town, what I've been working on, and a bit of insight into everything and anything to do with the North Ward. Again, my thanks for your support and kind words. I am very much looking forward to working with and for you as your North Ward Councillor. What a month it's been! Durham Region remains the right choice for a bright future. While Amazon announced that the Toronto Global Amazon HQ2 bid was not successful in the competition, The Regional Municipality of Durham is thankful to have had the opportunity to work closely with area municipalities, the regional economic development organization, Toronto Glob- al, and neighbouring communities in the GTA to identify sites and put together a strong bid submission. Population surge Durham Region is a smart choice for investors. Durham Region offers access to more than six million talented people--a diverse, inclusive, educated workforce that is recog- nized for its innovation and creativity. One of the fastest growing communities in North America, Durham Region is on track to reach one million residents by 2031. Durham Region is geographically the largest municipality in the Toronto Region, featuring an impeccable blend of natural spaces, urban amenities and room to grow. Durham's excellent quality of life; commitment to environmental sustainability; affordable real estate; low-cost commercial and industrial land; and competitive development charges make the region an attractive choice for businesses and families. "Durham Region is ready and open for business," said Brian Bridgeman, Commissioner of Planning and Economic Development. "We appreciate the opportunity to show companies from across the globe not only the sites available, but the commitment to collaboration and partnerships, and the benefits of doing business in Durham Region." Opportunities abound The region's post-secondary institutions are internationally recognized for innovative, market-driven programming, generating a steady stream of bright and competent graduates. Local centres of excellence offer opportunities for entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, researchers and students to come together to exchange ideas, help each other succeed, and be part of a collaborative business ecosystem. Christmas in the Village Tree Lighting