George Burton will no longer serve as president of the board of directors for the Invest North Bay Development Corporation.
It was revealed Candore College President and CEO Burton and three other board members — Jody Joyal, Caleb O’Connor and Vicky Paine-Mantha will take their leave from Invest North Bay after an in-camera session following last evening's North Bay City Council meeting.
INB Executive Director Ian Kilgour confirms the restructuring of the board to BayToday and provides an updated list of members:
- Mayor Al McDonald
- Councillor Dave Mendicino
- Councillor Marcus Tignanelli
- David Euler, CAO
- Steve Deacon
- George Flumerfelt
- Larry Fuld
- Jonathan Muterera
- Rob Suppa
- Tiz Silveri
"The departing board members of Invest North Bay chose not to seek another term," says Kilgour. "Luc Stang was the only resignation, which was earlier in the year. The Chair will be elected at the next meeting scheduled for early October- date still be set."
Invest North Bay touts itself as"an organization dedicated to helping to grow the City of North Bay. Its mandate includes the creation of an environment that supports long-term economic and community growth."
The corporation under Burton's leadership at times expressed frustration with its mandate, admitting the market to bring investors and jobs to North Bay was "highly competitive," but the City of North Bay has stood by the board and Council has frequently met INB's requests for funding.
See related story: Invest North Bay wants additional $10 million over four years from council
As listed on the City of North Bay's website, one of the guiding principles of Invest North Bay is: "While working in a business environment, and at arms-length to the City, the Corporation will articulate transparency, accountability and responsibility."
See also: Invest North Bay annual meeting short on info about attracting new business
Transparency was severely lacking from board members. Invest North Bay is notoriously secretive and did not allow reporters to ask questions after the public portion if its AGM last week, and calls to McDonald and Burton for clarification after the meeting were not returned.
And: Invest North Bay dumps marketing company contract. Why?
There have been successes, including playing a role in the further development and attraction of businesses to the Airport Industrial Park.
See related story: Nine companies interested in coming here says Invest North Bay president
Board member Tignanelli thanks the departing members for their years of community dedication to the board.
"These individuals are outstanding contributors to our City who volunteered countless hours to grow our City in the most competitive government sector," he says. "The majority of Municipalities have development corporations and we are all competing to attract businesses to our City against neighbouring communities. The board compromised of public and private sector citizens of North Bay relies on the expertise of private sector individuals and we cannot thank them enough for dedicating their time."
