BY CRAIG GILBERT
Greater Sudbury Mayor Dave Courtemanche continued his fight Thursday against this cityÂ?s Â?defining issueÂ? as he sees it - youth out-migration.
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Courtemanche made his first State of the City Address as mayor Thursday at a luncheon meeting sponsored by the Greater Sudbury Chamber of Commerce.
Courtemanche, who easily won last NovemberÂ?s municipal election, began by introducing a table full of notable young Sudburians who have come or returned to the city in the past year.
They include Tracey and Michael Forbes, who returned to start up the design and marketing business Revolve; Chris Perry, who has opened his own architecture practice; Dalron Construction boss John Arnold; and Leanne Benner, an animator, who works on the popular CBC childrenÂ?s cartoon show Chilly Beach.
Courtemanche, in a sometimes rushed speech, called on all Sudburians to use whatever means are at their disposal to entice former residents to return and encourage newcomers to try the city out.
Â?ThatÂ?s why today, I am announcing an unprecedented community Homecoming Celebration in 2005,Â? he said. Â?Today I am issuing a challenge to all the citizens and organizations of Greater Sudbury to plan the events and experiences that will make our homecoming unforgettable.Â?
The week-long party wonÂ?t just be an initiative of city hall, the mayor said.
Â?Organize a family reunion, a special event, a community festival. Brag about what your organization or business has achieved,Â? said Courtemanche.
In advance of the party, the city will launch a postcard campaign.
The Wish You Were Here campaign will start at the end of this year. Again, residents are encouraged to get involved and send postcards, which will
feature scenic pictures from around the city to remind people from out of town about the homecoming festival.
Courtemanche described his speech afterward as a pep talk and a Â?reflection of where we are as a city right now.Â?
Community spirit needs to be built up in all corners of the city to levels that used to be there before amalgamation.
Â?NowÂ?s the time to stand tall and be proud,Â? he said. Â?IÂ?m proud to be from the West End and IÂ?m proud of Greater Sudbury.Â?
Courtemanche spent most of his speech going over the positive things that have happened in the city recently.
They included the opening and solid response to Dynamic Earth, the expansion of Neureka!, the provinceÂ?s commitment to completing the Sudbury Regional Hospital, projected economic growth of 2.8 per cent and increased assessment value on property within the city.
With all the good things going on, the important thing, Chamber chair Jim Thompson agreed, is to get the communities in the city involved.
Â?The major thing is to get people to buy into community responsibility,Â? Thompson said, after taking part in a standing ovation for the mayor. Â?ItÂ?s
not just up to city council or the chamber. We will be there, and we hope youÂ?ll be there, too.Â?
