Mayor Bondy provides a special thanks to Darren Gravalese from St. Thomas of Villanova High School for organizing a clean-up of the wooded area between Mayfair Avenue and Matchette Road recently. He, along with three other staff, and about 40 students, removed a lot of garbage, wood and other debris from the area. Mayor Bondy recognizes that volunteers make such a difference in our community.
Mayor Bondy states that two other residents also helped clean up LaSalle last week. Debi Steffens and her husband, our former Mayor, Ken Antaya, cleaned up garbage along Trinity and Ellis streets. They collected 5 bags of trash. Mayor Bondy recognizes the individuals that are always giving back to our community.
Mayor Bondy announces that there is another change in the LaSalle Police Service with the retirement of Deputy Police Chief, Kevin Beaudoin effective March 26. Mayor Bondy thanks Deputy Chief Beaudoin for his 35 years of policing service, and wishes him well in his retirement.
Mayor Bondy recognizes another retirement in the coming weeks, Fire Chief Dave Sutton who retires on April 1 with more than 35 years of dedication to the fire service.
Mayor Bondy recognizes that Chief Sutton started his career in 1986 as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Sandwich West Fire Department. Later that same year, Chief Sutton took a full-time position with LaSalle Dispatch. Chief Sutton then became a Career Firefighter in 1989, and was the Training Instructor from 1998 to 2008. Chief Sutton climbed the ranks with LaSalle Fire Service becoming the Deputy Fire Chief in 2008, Acting Fire Chief in 2011 and was appointed LaSalle Fire Chief in 2012. Chief Sutton has led the municipality as our Community Emergency Management Coordinator, and has been very busy recently between COVID and flooding. Chief Sutton has been instrumental in LaSalle's Emergency Operations Centre and in leading the team with integrity and respect. Mayor Bondy expresses his thanks to Chief Sutton for his leadership.
Mayor Bondy announces that on tonight's agenda, we officially appoint Ed Thiessen as Fire Chief effective April 1, and welcomes Deputy Fire Chief Rick Malott to LaSalle. Mayor Bondy states that we look forward to continued success with LaSalle Fire Service.
Joe Milicia, Chief Administrative Officer states that it is difficult after 35 years to summarize all of the triumphs and challenges that a career brings, but certainly there are too many to mention. Mr. Milicia highlights a few to express our thanks to Chief Sutton.
Mr. Milicia expresses his thanks to Chief Sutton for his attendance to the countless calls during the days, nights, weekends, weekdays, holidays, as well as all the training sessions that he presided over. In addition, he thanks Chief Sutton for his faithful management stewardship to LaSalle Fire Service and for providing exceptional service to residents and businesses alike. Mr. Milicia thanks Chief Sutton for his contribution in various roles including the role as a volunteer firefighter, as a full-time suppression of firefighters, as a full-time training officer, as well as the Deputy Chief, and what Mr. Milicia can only imagine was the most difficult task Chief Sutton might've had, was presiding over the line of duty death of former Chief Ken Day, God rest his soul. Chief Sutton then elevated right to the Fire Chief roll.
Mr. Milicia expresses his thanks to Chief Sutton for the focus on emergency management which recently have come to cherish, particularly in the recent days with the threat of flooding and the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Milicia thanks Chief Sutton for his vision and persistence with the two major fire master plans that we've had which has and continues to transform our fire service.
In addition, Mr. Milicia thanks Chief Suttons wife, Jen, family and children and as well as family and friends for sharing him with us, particularly all those missed dinners, holidays, and church family events that he was on duty and was not able to attend with the family. Mr. Milicia thanks Chief Sutton for his leadership and mentorship in the LaSalle Fire Service as well as the entire organization.
Mr. Milicia quotes, as the former chair of the Fire Committee, Councillor Terry Burns was fond of saying “He's my Chief”, Chief Sutton will always be our Chief. Mr. Milicia would like to make sure that Chief Sutton remembers that in his final days here with us. On behalf of the Management Team, Town of LaSalle Staff, former CAO Ken Antaya and Kevin Miller, Mr. Milicia congratulates Chief Sutton on his career and upcoming retirement. Mr. Milicia recognizes that Chief Sutton has left the service and residents in good hands with incoming Chief Ed Thiessen and Deputy Chief Rick Malott. Mr. Milicia wishes Chief Sutton an enjoyable retirement with family and friends and gives his final thanks on behalf of all from the Town of LaSalle.
Chief Sutton provides his thanks to all. Chief Sutton states that the way Mr. Milicia described it made it sound like a long haul and it has been a long time. Chief Sutton has had an opportunity to reflect the last number of days and states that it has been a great ride but it's been an absolute honour to serve as the Fire Chief for the Town of LaSalle.
Chief Sutton is grateful to have had the opportunity to work with an amazing municipal staff and several Councils, this one in particular and over the 10 years as Chief with the previous Councils as well. Chief Sutton has always been able to enjoy the constant support and assistance from the senior staff and Council. He quotes that it has been a real privilege to serve “our community, my community” for over 35 years now, and most importantly, to be able to have the opportunity to lead this incredible team at LaSalle Fire.
Chief Sutton states that his career has been successful mainly because of the support, mentorship and friendship from a lot of great people, friends and of course as Mr. Milicia mentioned, the unfailing support at home from Chief Sutton’s wife and family. Chief Sutton provides his thanks for the kind words and recognition, and wishes everyone well in the continued success of the Town.
Councillor Renaud states that it has been a very short time that he has been with the Fire Committee in relation to 35 year career, but he remembers meeting Chief Sutton about eight or nine years ago where Chief Sutton assisted the scout troops with an outdoor fire. Councillor Renaud stated that Chief Sutton helped and blessed us and he will appreciate the brotherhood in scouting for a long time. Councillor provides his thanks to Chief Sutton for his professionalism in regards to the Fire board and Fire committee. He states that Chief Sutton was always very clear, very provisional and very well thought out. Councillor Renaud expresses his thanks to Chief Sutton for helping him and for making his job on the Fire committee that much easier.