Goderich Chooses New Councillor

by Bob Montgomery

Vanessa Kelly is the new Goderich councillor.

Eleven Goderich residents applied to fill the council seat vacated when Leah Noel moved up to Deputy Mayor Travor Bazinet moved up to the Mayor's position after the passing of Mayor Myles Murdock.

Kelly says she's motivated by the people in her community. She says Goderich residents show up and they're passionate about where they live and about creating solutions for the different issues facing the community and she wanted to be part of that process. She says she's pleased to be part of a council that is focused on good governance, environmental stewardship, the local economy and just creating a community that makes everyone feel welcome.

She adds, housing is a huge issue in Goderich and just about every other community in the province and there isn't any one solution. She says it's not something that Goderich can solve on its own. She says Goderich has to be creative in working with other levels of government and working with service groups within the community. Kelly says they also have to recognize that homelessness in a community is a symptom of a much larger social problem and they have to find ways that the community and council can address some of those problems.

Kelly says she's very excited about being part of the Goderich council team. She will be officially sworn in as a councillor at their next regular council meeting.

Goderich Councillor Vanessa Kelly