The Corporate Services Committee recently took the opportunity to meet and discuss the annual Christmas reception that the Village has hosted at the Legion the first Saturday in December for the past three years. This reception was intended as an opportunity for the Village to honour and show our gratitude to the many volunteers that serve our community. Each committee member is sent a personal invitation by Staff and each Committee chair has been encouraged to personally invite the members of their committee to the reception. To ensure no one has been missed, the Village has placed this invitation in the Review Mirror. Unfortunately, the response to these invitations has only encouraged about a 15% turnout, which has driven home the realization that perhaps this has not been the most opportune venue to honour our volunteers.

On the other hand, the Corporate Services Committee has taken note that the New Year’s Levee is a very popular event enjoyed by a great many in the community. Therefore, the Committee has recommended that this year the Village shall expand and extend the period for the New Year’s Levee to include a variety of hot and cold foods as well as entertainment. The reception at the Legion will be cancelled and replaced by this enhanced opportunity to celebrate our community and its very special volunteers.

In 2019, the Chairs of the Village Committees of Council will consult with their team members to ascertain whether there are other suggestions of something festive that would appeal to most people.

All members of Council and residents and business owners have deep gratitude and respect for the volunteers that serve the Village however, we recognize that the reception was not a popular event and enhancing the New Year’s Levee this year will provide additional resources to a setting that most of you attend and enjoy.

Thank you for your commitment to the Village of Westport and for the important work that you have been doing. I know that you do not seek recognition and I appreciate your patience as we work to devise creative options for getting together at future Christmas gatherings.