The former deputy mayor of the Town of Blue Mountains is taking on a new role in local government.
Gail Ardiel was sworn in as the provincial appointee of the Blue Mountains Police Services Board on Feb. 12 at the police board’s regular meeting held at the Town of Blue Mountains' Town Hall.
The Blue Mountains Police Service Board oversees how policing is provided in the local community and consists of an equal number of members appointed from both the regional or municipal council and the province, as well as one community member chosen by the council.
“I am very happy to be chosen as provincial appointee and to be given the opportunity to serve the community again. It is a great honour,” Ardiel says.
Ardiel began her career as a civil servant in 1997 as a town councillor.
“When I first started back in 1997, I think I was on about 14 different committees. So, I am fairly knowledgeable about the community as I have been involved with the town council in one form or another for the past 17 years,” she says.
In her previous roles, she notes time spent working with the Ontario Urban Municipalities board and the Association of Municipalities. She held the position of chair of the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority in 2018, after four years as vice-chair. She has also held several positions within the Town of Blue Mountains council, including chair of planning and chair of tourism. Ardiel was deputy mayor on the last council (2014 to 2018) and ran against former mayor Ellen Anderson in 2010.
Ardiel was nominated and screened for the position at the provincial level. She describes the process as extensive, even requiring approval from the Liberal, Conservative and NDP caucuses.
In the new position, Ardiel says she hopes to work cohesively with the OPP and the detachment commander, Insp. Mary Shannon.
“We have a number of budget items we need to look at. There are also a few courses coming up in Orillia that the OPP will be facilitating. A few individuals will be attending those sessions to see what training options the town can be looking at going forward,” she says.
She adds that the Town of The Blue Mountains is a unique area as the annual influx of nearly two million visitors creates a number of challenges.
“People come from all over to enjoy this area and there are a lot of challenges to that. Blue Mountain does a great job with their security team but they are only security. They are not sworn in OPP officers. These services are essential at the mountain and here in Thornbury,” Ardiel says.
The Blue Mountains Police Services Board's next meeting will take place on April 8 and is open to the public. Additional information can be found on the town website.
