Chatham-Kent Mayor Randy Hope described Thursday’s visit by Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne as “very positive” for the municipality.
“I was extremely impressed with the Premier,” Hope said in a press release.
“She took time to meet with people outside the museum who were protesting a variety of issues and genuinely wanted to hear what they had to say.”
Premier Wynne’s visit included a tour of the Chatham-Kent Museum and the Thames Art Gallery where she viewed “Michael Chambers, Shadows to Silver” featuring photographic works from the artist, a documentary screening about Chamber’s practice by filmmaker Anton Wagner, and photographic portraits in the Mezzanine in partnership with the Buxton Museum and CK Black Historical Society.
She then had a private meeting with the mayor and later met with greenhouse owners and operators to discuss that burgeoning portion of Ontario’s agriculture sector.
Mayor Hope said he had a wide-ranging discussion with Premier Wynne, touching on ways the province and municipality can work more closely together on a variety of agricultural, economic and community issues.
“I gained insights from Premier Wynne about the province’s view on a number of issues and from our perspective it was good for her to hear first-hand about what’s important to our community,” Hope said. “That kind of grass-roots information really connects the premier to our community. She spent more time here than originally planned and I believe she enjoyed herself.”
During her visit she received gifts of work from local artists consisting of a painting “Up” by Danielle Dupuis, pottery by Janet Johnston and original hand-painted card by Darla Fisher-Odjig.
– Submitted photo
