Smith Named OPAL President

Tuesday, 19 August 2014 15:19

Bryan Smith acclaimed after Steve McSwiggan steps down

SWEABURG - After two and a half years in the position, Steve McSwiggan is stepping down as President of Oxford People Against the Landfill.

In the interim, Bryan Smith, who is also involved with Oxford Coalition for Social Justice, was acclaimed to take over.

Smith says the new title was a result of two things, his long term commitment to fighting the landfill as well as the decision by McSwiggan to step down into a Director role as he pursues a position on Ingersoll Town Council.

"I said that for the interim period, because it is actually only a short interim period until March of April, I would take the Presidential role and continue the work of OPAL and making sure that by bringing new people aboard as well we could heighten our energies at this very critical period in our work against the dump."

Smith says he will be working to maintain a distinction between his work with OPAL and the Oxford Coalition for Social Justice.

"Those two groups are in utter agreement that the dump has to stop but the Oxford Coalition For Social Justice, as you're aware, is interested in other issues. I'm going to manage the two of those and that's manageable because both of those have boards of directors that are very active, very involved, very intelligent and very committed."

Smith says he gave it some thought before tossing his name in for the position.

"I wondered about how far one can stretch ones self and that's always something that people think about during various stages of their lives, when they have kids and jobs and are running to sports and all that sort of stuff or like me when they are retired. That was sort of one of the factors that said 'yep, I think I've got time for it.'"

As noted, Bryan Smith was acclaimed as the new President, OPAL, with Reagan Franklin acclaimed as Treasurer. Acclaimed General Members are: Howard DeJong, Sheila Fleming, Tim Lobzun, Natalie Minato, Steve McSwiggan and Paul Weeks. Monte Shillington and Sarah Crellin have subsequently announced their intent to continue to serve.