The Flamborough Chamber of Commerce (FCC) is honoured – and frankly, delighted beyond words – to announce that Ontario Premier (and Minister of Agriculture) Kathleen Wynne will attend the FCC’s Outstanding Business Achievement (OBA) awards gala on March 2, 2013 at the Flamborough Hills Golf & Country Club.

While details have to be confirmed, it is expected that Premier Wynne will attend all or part of the pre-dinner meet-and-greet reception in the members lounge. After that, attendees will proceed to the banquet hall where – before the meal –  Premier Wynne will present brief comments (10-12 minutes). She then has to leave to attend another function in downtown Hamilton.

Committed to living up to its reputation as ‘the little chamber that could,’ FCC Executive Director Arend Kersten – a self-professed political junkie – emailed Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale MPP (then the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and now the Minister of Community and Social Services) Ted McMeekin within minutes of the final vote confirming Premier Wynne as the next leader of the Ontario Liberal Party asking him to use his considerable influence to persuade the new premier to attend the OBA gala.

Long story short – Premier Wynne agreed to join us.

“We have to give credit where credit is due,” said Kersten. “This would not have happened without Ted’s direct involvement. And we thank him.”

In addition to Premier Wynne and MPP McMeekin, other VIP’s at the OBA gala include MP David Sweet, Hamilton Mayor Bob Bratina and Flamborough Councillors Robert Pasuta (Ward 14 – West Flamborough) and Judi Partridge (Ward 15 – East Flamborough).

The annual OBA gala ‘honours the very best in local corporate excellence and community service.’ In addition to nominees in a number of categories (see below), the FCC will present its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award to James (Jim) Aitkin of Rankin Environmental and Wilf, Tom and Tim Langford of the former Langford Pharmacy.

In its official invitation, the FCC stated that a visit by Premier (and Minister of Agriculture) Wynne “would be especially timely as proposed changes to the province’s ‘slots and trots’ programs could result in a potential ‘double whammy’ for the local (ie; Flamborough) economy.”

While Flamborough Hills can accommodate a large crowd, there is a limit to the number of tickets available. The OBA event is not restricted to FCC members. In other words, members of the community are welcome to attend.

Tickets are $75 each (includes HST) and available from the FCC office at 905-689-7650 or admin@flamboroughchamber.ca. Tickets can also be reserved using the form on the FCC website at www.flamboroughchamber.ca.