Heritage Festival SWOT team chosen

Five men and one woman have been chosen to sit on the Heritage Festival SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) Team.

North Bay city council approved the selection Monday night of physiotherapist Dale Blenkhorn, Cogeco North Bay News anchor/reporter Dennis Chippa, insurance company owner Bruce Knox, 100 Georges owner Daniel Lindsey, U-Need-a-Cab general manager John Strang and entrepreneur Clinton Vuorimaki to the team.

They have been charged with providing guidance on the direction of the festival’s future and programming; direction on what contributed to this year’s problems; balancing input on what is needed to satisfy and/or attract local, area and out of town attendees; and providing any other insights or opinions on the festival deemed relevant.

Coun. Mike Anthony, who made the motion calling for the SWOT team to be formed, said he was "extremely pleased" with its make-up.

"There are people with entertainment contacts, people with organizing experience, festival experience, and those who just want to help," Anthony said.

"It was a great list of candidates, and now we await the input from this dynamic group of volunteers."

Seventeen people applied to become part of the SWOT team, said North Bay Mayor Vic Fedeli.

“What we now have is a good cross section of people," Fedeli said, "and John Strang is a seasoned member of the Heritage Festival inner core, and he will add a good perspective."

Fedeli says he chaired selection meeting "but I didn't have a vote."

The team will have 30 days to hold public meetings, collect
feedback and suggestions, before producing its final recommendations to council.

Lindsey, who put his application in "at the last minute" said he was "very happy" to have been selected.

"This is something I really want to do, to help chart a new course for the festival," Lindsey said.