AWARDED.
DUNCHURCH – Mayor Chris Armstrong proudly received a Diamond Jubilee Medal at Monday night’s council meeting, Feb. 4.
The presentation, including pinning the medal to Armstrong’s lapel, was made by CAO Lillian Nolan.
An email sent to Armstrong on Jan. 29 from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) states that Armstrong received the medal “in honour of the contributions you have made to your community and to all of Canada.”
Armstrong, who is serving his second term as mayor, joined council in February 2003. After serving as councillor he became mayor in December 2006.
“I think it’s an honour and an privilege. It’s an honour to receive as recognition of the work I’ve done but it was a shock,” he said.
Armstrong admits to being somewhat of a royal watcher, so to him the recognition is particularly special.
Armstrong says the recognition stems from having a wonderful municipality.
“It’s Whitestone. It’s a perfect place to live, work and play,” he said.
Armstrong says his council has worked diligently to maintain a low tax rate while recognizing the diversity of the population with seasonal and permanent population.
“We try not to take advantage of high assessment increases,” he said. “It’s a team effort. It’s me and council, it’s not myself.”
The council set up a road grant protocol for maintenance on private roads.
“We try to communicate with our ratepayers, we do quarterly newsletters and are very receptive to emails and any correspondence from our ratepayers,” said Armstrong.
Throughout his time on council Armstrong has been involved in Highway 520 improvements, resurfacing of the Bunny Trail, a new municipal office and fire hall complex, new plexi-glass at the pavilion, and new recycling compacters at the landfill site.
The council continues to apply for federal and provincial funding for road maintenance.
Armstrong moved to Whitestone with wife Rhonda in 1989. However his parents had a cottage there all of his life.
“We wanted a place to raise our family when we got married. We moved up and we’ve been here ever since,” he said.
He and Rhonda have three children, Brock, Todd and Emily.
Armstrong is not only mayor of the municipality he is also deputy fire chief, council representative for the Parry Sound District Chamber of Commerce, sits on the cemetery board, is a member of the Magnetawan River Watershed Association, is Community Economic Development Committee council representative and senior management at South River Planing Mills in South River.