Outgoing Grimsby Mayor Bob Bentley joined CKTB's Roundtable Roadtrip this morning at Teddy's and had some strong thoughts on the outgoing regional council.
Bentley spent four terms as Mayor, two as Regional Councillor, and one as Alderman. That is 24 years of service for the town.
Today he reflected on the last few years at regional council saying, "We got sidetracked and some people had a different agenda and that was awful. It became a painful experience, kinda like putting bamboo shoots under your fingernails." He adds, "They've got some new people coming in that I don't doubt are very talented but I have heard about some of the others and change for the sake of change is not good. When you are dealing with a billion dollar budget that's pretty important, you touch people everyday."
The first order of business for council is to elect a new chair. That decision is critical in Bentley's eyes, "I think the key will be whoever is elected Regional Chair to start driving the bus because you only get one vote but you set the tone."
The new council holds their first meeting on December 6th.