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Municipal Affairs
May 20, 2009

The following statement was issued by the Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Municipal Affairs. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Province Recognizes Importance of Local Governance through Municipal Awareness Day

Today is Municipal Awareness Day throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. This annual initiative is supported by our government in close cooperation with Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador.

All too often, the work done by Mayors, Councilors and Municipal Administrators and staff in this province goes unnoticed by the general public. These individuals often get things done quietly and efficiently.

It�s not always easy for residents to see all the hard work that leads to efficient and quality services within our cities and towns. Municipal Awareness Day is all about changing that. It is about giving recognition and promoting the accomplishments and importance of local governance. As September approaches, we know that the face of local governance may change with the impending election. It is more important now than ever for us to acknowledge what municipal awareness day is all about.

This one day throughout the year is supported to educate the public on the role of Municipal Government and the services they deliver. It is a day to encourage residents to become involved to increase community pride and understanding. We collectively aim to recognize the many volunteers in our communities that help them grow. And during an election year for the over 280 municipalities throughout our province, we hope to capture the public�s interest in running for their local council.

To better deliver these objectives, we encouraged municipalities to plan activities that involve their entire community. Some communities will host history days, municipal displays, open houses, school activities, essay, story, trivia and poster contests, community development projects and simulated councils so persons within the community can appreciate how their city or town actually operates.

The Department of Municipal Affairs is proud to support Municipal Awareness Day through an investment of $15,000 which contributed to a province-wide advertising campaign, brochures, posters and mail-outs.

I encourage Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to get involved in Municipal Awareness Day as it heightens awareness of local governance. I also encourage all interested men, women and youth to consider running or nominating someone in the September municipal elections. The more people who answer the call the more likely we are to sustain our cities and towns for generations to come.

2009 05 20                                                     2:20 p.m.
 


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