The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) has elected an incoming board executive, led by a new president.
Long-time president Al Spacek, mayor of Kapuskasing, announced this past spring he would not seek re-election to the role he’s held since 2010. He will step down from the position on Dec. 1.
Elections took place during an August board meeting in Ottawa. The executive includes:
- President: Danny Whalen (councillor, City of Temiskaming Shores);
- Vice-president (first): Mac Bain (councillor, City of North Bay);
- Vice-president (second): Paul Schoppmann (mayor, Municipality of St. Charles).
“The high regard others have for FONOM as an organization is directly related to the commitment and passion Al has for Northern Ontario,” Whalen said in an Aug. 24 news release.
“His energy will be missed, and the entire board is committed to build on the foundation Al has help design.”
A membership-based organization, FONOM advocates for 110 cities, towns and municipalities across Northern Ontario, with the goal of improving the economic and social qualify of life for Northerners.
During the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) annual conference in Ottawa, held Aug. 19-22, the FONOM board met with multiple ministers of the newly elected provincial government, during which time they spoke of issues impacting the North, including municipal infrastructure funding, the impact of Species at Risk legislation, electricity prices, forestry issues, and more.
