The airport commission actively supports economic development within Brockton, Hanover and West Grey, and often recommends visiting pilots and their families shop in local stores.
The airport may have started out as a grass runway for recreational pilots nearly 70 years ago, however, through decades of volunteer support and 30 years of municipal and provincial government support, the airport continues to transform into a regional economic hub.
“The airport recently welcomed the addition of 400 new employees to TELESAT,” said airport manager Filomena McDonald.
Collectively, local pilots employ hundreds of people, so it goes without saying the airport buys from local businesses and supports local business whenever possible.
From MedEvac, to students, to high tech service providers, everyone is welcomed at the airport. As legislation has changed over the years, so have the policies and procedures at the airport. This will continue with the adoption of a procedural bylaw. The airport does have code of conduct and workplace harassment policies. These are in place to ensure the airport is a welcoming place for visitors, staff, and contractors.
In addition to his role as chair of the commission, Deputy Mayor Gieruszak is also chair of Brockton’s economic development committee, past president and board member Walkerton and District Community Living, treasurer of Grey Bruce Management and Admin Services Inc., past chair of Saugeen Conservation Authority and executive board member, president of LEAD Canada, trustee of LEAD International, and a Bruce Grey Community Safety and Well Being Planning Committee member.
The chair’s previous community service positions include founding board member Brockton and Area Family Health Team, chair of South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Region 5 executive Ontario Health Association, board member Hanover and District Hospital, founding member South Western Ontario Economic Alliance, Conservation Ontario board member, and president of the Bluewater Astronomical Society. He has often taken shifts for the Salvation Army during Christmas time.
Having commission members with this diverse expertise helps to ensure commission decisions take into account, economic development, employment opportunities, health and safety, and environmental protection in all the decisions they make.
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Editor’s note: This is the first of a series of columns leading up to Saugeen Municipal Airport’s 70th anniversary celebration in 2022.
