Christmas has arrived, decorations in Snug Cove and lights across the island emphasis our joy in celebrating the season. The Christmas concerts and community events have been great fun and drawn us closer together. But the thing that touches me most is the young people returning to the island. You see them on the ferry, happy and confident adults greeting and hugging life long friends who shared their childhoods and now share an annual pilgrimage to the community that nurtured their growth.
The last year has been a time of growth and learning for your Municipal Council. Six of the seven of us were new to the job this time last year and I’m pleased to say I think we’ve risen to the occasion. But we haven’t done it alone. We really do have a fantastic municipal staff. Their interest in the welfare of the community and passion for their vocations creates a truly happy and positive environment for all of us.
We are also blessed with citizens of extraordinary talents who have joined our committees and task forces to provide expertise combined with local knowledge that we simply couldn’t buy at any price. Council recognizes that a major part of our role is simply to facilitate the good work of our volunteers. So in the coming year I’m asking you to consider putting your name forward when the need arises for a volunteer with your skillset.
Christmas is a time for sharing and Bowen Islanders have once again stepped up to support the Christmas hamper fund and food bank but this year we’ve added the “30k in 30 days” fundraising drive to support a Kurdish Syrian refugee family of five. I know your support will be generous because this is Bowen Island and it is our generosity of spirit that defines us.
Merry Christmas!
