Madawaska Valley welcomes new Recreation Coordinator

At the Nov.2 Council in Committee Meeting of Madawaska Valley, Mayor Kim Love called for Councillor Mark Willmer to make an on-the-spot introduction of new Recreation and Community Development Coordinator, Hannah Gutoskie. Willmer said, “It’s pleasant to be put on the spot because we had a great day of interviews after receiving 17 applications and we were very fortunate to have Hannah Gutoskie apply. Very pleased with her interview, very impressed, and I just know that Hannah will do an excellent job. So happy that she did accept the position after we offered it to her…. We’re very happy [and] … know she’ll do an excellent job and be a great member of the Madawaska Valley team. So thank you Hannah and welcome aboard.” Above from left are meeting participants. Top row: Mayor Kim Love, Operations Supervisor Mike Phillips, Councillor Ernie Peplinski; Middle: CAO/Clerk Suzanne Klatt, Councillor David Shulist, Councillor Carl Bromwich; Bottom: Councillor Mark Willmer, Recreation and Community Development Coordinator Hannah Gutoskie. Photo YouTube.

Mayor Love and Councillor Ernie Peplinski chimed in to welcome Gutoskie. CAO/Clerk Suzanne Klatt confirmed that she would begin work on Thursday, Nov.4 with a tour of sites and municipal facilities.

The meeting agenda included a letter from Gutoskie outlining her education and experience which encompasses the following:

• 2012 graduated from Carleton University with a Master of Arts in Canadian Studies, with a dual specialization in Heritage Conservation and Indigenous Studies and the North
• 2014 awarded Graduate Diploma in Project Management (Honours/Dean’s list)
• Supervisory experience in jobs at Bonnechere Provincial Park and Health Canada
• In addition to strong communication skills, Gutoskie also developed experience in budgetary control, social media management, event planning in her previous jobs which also included local publisher Rapid Media

Gutoskie’s application letter ended, “I love the Madawaska Valley. Born in Barry’s Bay and raised here as well as Combermere, I’ve returned to the area after a few years away to raise my family here. I’m familiar with the area, its residents, the changes to our population lately, and the good as well as challenging aspects of living in a small town. I would love the opportunity to contribute to our community in this role.”