Metchosin council is going to gain at least two new faces when councillors Larry Tremblay and Jo Mitchell step back from the table this November, and the newcomers will have some big shoes to fill.

Tremblay, 74, and Mitchell, 78, have a combined 15 years of service to their community on council, but beyond that, their longtime dedication to volunteering and community involvement in Metchosin is a hard act to follow. Both have been named as Volunteer of the Year over the years and both have been instrumental in developing what are now landmarks in the district.

B次元官网网址淛o and Larry have shown enormous levels of community service that goes above and beyond any council work that theyB次元官网网址檝e had to do,B次元官网网址� says fellow councillor Moralea Milne. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e had the best council for the last two terms. WeB次元官网网址檝e really worked well together as a team and itB次元官网网址檚 always been civil and respectful.B次元官网网址�

Looking back over his two terms, TremblayB次元官网网址檚 accomplishment nearest to his heart is B次元官网网址渂eing involved in creating Old Barn Books.B次元官网网址� The little shop, which started in a modest eight foot-by-eight foot space, is entirely dependent on donated books to stock its shelves, and began as a way to support the Metchosin School Museum and Pioneer Museum.

B次元官网网址淲e needed some way to raise money for renovations,B次元官网网址� he says. Each year, the shop has been able to gather close to $5,000 for various projects in the museums, keeping them up to date. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 a lot of $1 and $2 books.B次元官网网址�

Mitchell was elected to council in 2005, after realizing that some of her volunteering causes needed more attention from local government. B次元官网网址淚 joined council to make sure they were looked at.B次元官网网址�

She started the Metchosin Community Association, reinvigorated the Healthy Communities Committee and led the charge to transform the empty elementary school into the home of the Metchosin Arts and Cultural Centre and the Seniors Resource Centre.

B次元官网网址淚 thought it was very sad to have a dead school,B次元官网网址� she says.

As for what the pair plan to do once their council duties are finished, they have some ideas.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e never seen Tofino,B次元官网网址� says Tremblay, adding that he and his wife, Judy, plan to explore the Island. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檇 love to see the winter storms up there, in a cabin on the beach.B次元官网网址�

Mitchell laughs out loud when asked about her December plans. B次元官网网址淐lean my house!B次元官网网址�

She adds, B次元官网网址淧eople donB次元官网网址檛 realize how much work council is. We all sit on five or six committees. If youB次元官网网址檙e a proper councillor, itB次元官网网址檚 a lot of hard work. IB次元官网网址檓 planning on enjoying more of a social life.B次元官网网址�

She doesnB次元官网网址檛 plan on relinquishing all of her duties, however. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l certainly stay on the seniors committee, and (the cultural centre). I regard those as my babies.B次元官网网址�

For his part, Tremblay will be manning the book sales every Sunday at Old Barn Books and enjoying the chance to putter on his acreage. He has no reservations about his departure from council.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a productive council for the last six to nine years,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淚 feel good about retiring.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址�(Mitchell and Tremblay) were both involved in a big way before they were on council and IB次元官网网址檓 sure they still will be,B次元官网网址� adds Milne. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e really come to appreciate their work ethic and their level of commitment. It will be very, very hard to replace them.B次元官网网址�

acowan@goldstreamgazette.com