A City of Belleville councillor is crediting another councillor’s passionate defence of the new Economic and Destination Development Committee.
During a discussion on approving the committee’s first strategic plan, at city council Monday night, councillor Bill Sandison thought the committee was simply redoing a lot of work already being done by other organizations, like the Chamber of Commerce, Quinte Economic Development Commission, and Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board.
However, councillor Sean Kelly, a committee member, said he was disappointed with Sandison’s position describing the committee as an “all-star team in the local economic and business scene” and that it hadn’t had enough time to get down to business, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“Give us some time. Maybe in two or three years it would be reasonable to look back and see if we’ve been able to produce good results or not.”
Kelly went on to say the city had been featured in publications praising it as a great place to retire, live, and visit and the committee was poised to make it and the area even more prosperous.
Councillor Sandison admitted he might be on the wrong track, apologized, and voted to support the strategic plan.
Belleville city councillor Bill Sandison. (Photo: Quinte News)
