On the morning of May 27th, members, guests, and community leaders gathered at the Ramada Hotel on Bay Bridge Road to hear directly from His Worship, Mayor Neil Ellis, as he delivered his State of the City Address.
Thank you to everyone who showed up bright and early. We are grateful to have had a full room of over 140 people at 7 a.m.
It was a milestone morning on multiple fronts. Sandi Ramsay stepped up as the 162nd President of the Belleville Chamber Board of Directors, marking her first breakfast in the role. By day the CEO of the Centre for Workforce Development, Sandi hit the ground running after a busy first month that included the AGM, the President’s Dinner, and now the Mayor’s Breakfast event. We’re thrilled to have her at the helm.
This morning would not have been possible without the generous support of Enbridge Gas Inc., represented by Tim Butters and Liz Disepolo, accompanied by Brandi Hodge of United Way HPE. Enbridge’s investment in the BCC breakfast series is one we deeply appreciate, and it helps us do the work that matters for our members.
Tim took a few minutes at the podium, and his remarks set the tone beautifully. As provincial Manager of Municipal and Stakeholder Engagement with Enbridge Gas Ontario, Tim reflected on what makes this community distinct: its Loyalist roots, strong industrial base, and the businesses and people in that room who are shaping Belleville’s future every day. He spoke to Enbridge’s role in supporting that growth: serving nearly 38,000 customers in the region, keeping homes warm, businesses operating, and essential services running. With Belleville continuing to grow, Tim noted that meeting future energy demand will require all forms of energy working together, with natural gas continuing to play a key role in keeping things reliable and affordable for everyone.
It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces from the City joining us for the morning. We were pleased to welcome Councillors Kathryn Brown, Paul Carr, Lisa Anne Chatten, Barb Enright-Miller, Kelly Henderson, Margaret Seu, and Garnet Thompson, as well as a number of City Staff.
We also welcomed back MPP Chris Malette, along with Chief Dan Smith and team from Belleville Fire Services, and Chief Murray Rodd and members of the Belleville Police Service. Thank you for everything you do for this community.
We always love centering out members joining us for their very first Chamber event. A warm first-event welcome to:
We also welcomed recent new member Adam Scriver of IG Wealth Management, and a special shout out to Natalie O’Toole, who joined Three Oaks Foundation as Community Relations Manager at the end of April and hasn’t missed an event yet. That kind of energy is what this community is made of.
Born and raised in Belleville, Mayor Ellis needs little introduction to this crowd, but his story is worth telling. From nearly 30 years owning and operating Doug’s Bicycle, to two terms as Mayor from 2006 to 2014, to serving as the Bay of Quinte’s first Member of Parliament beginning in 2015, Neil has dedicated decades of his life to this city and region. He’s back in the Mayor’s chair because, as he’s said himself, decisions made at the municipal level most directly affect the daily lives of citizens and that’s where his heart is.
His State of the City Address gave members a real look at where Belleville stands today and where it’s headed: the kind of grounded perspective you can only get from someone who has served this community at multiple levels of government.
To Occasions by the Bay and the team at the Ramada Hotel for a wonderful breakfast and a beautiful space to gather.
To Enbridge Gas: Tim, Liz, and the whole team for your ongoing commitment to the Belleville Chamber of Commerce and to the greater Belleville committee.
Thanks to Ann Werkhoven from YourTV for recording the morning’s event, and to John Spitters from Quinte News for attending and covering the event; we appreciate the support our local media gives the Chamber, always.
And to Mayor Neil Ellis, for giving us your time, your perspective, and your continued dedication to this city we’re all proud to call home.
See you at the next one!
