Monday night marked the final council meeting with the current term of council which has served Smiths Falls since 2018. Mayor Shawn Pankow and councilors Wendy Alford, Lorraine Allen, Jay Brennan, Niki Dwyer, Chris McGuire, and Peter McKenna steered the town through construction, renovations, an unexpectedly fiery response to the removal of angled parking, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Attending council and committee meetings virtually, the council kept things humming with a rigorous commitment to moving forward. 

CAO Malcolm Morris thanked the council for their leadership and service. “This council has been very strategic in your approach. You’ve been decisive, which was appreciated by [town] staff. You kept us focused through the pandemic.” 

Morris commented that the council has tackled each of the ambitious goals they set at the beginning of the term. While noting that not all projects have been completed, every single one of the strategic plans has seen forward movement.

Mayor Pankow also thanked the outgoing councilors for their commitment and service. 

Councilor Lorraine Allen assured council that while she would no longer be sitting around the horseshoe at council meetings, her interest in Smiths Falls’ politics would continue. “I want to thank all of you for your support. I’m not going anywhere: I’m going to be in the audience. I wish you all the very best.”

Councilor Wendy Alford, too, thanked the other council members for their support, strength, and “core values,” even when they disagreed. “I have learned something from each and every one of you.”

Outgoing councilors Wendy Alford, Lorraine Allen, and Niki Dwyer will be replaced by councilors-elect Jennifer Miller, Dawn Quinn, and Stephen Robinson.

Article by Janelle Labelle