Why Brad loves the Sault and the Sault loves Ron
Saturday, January 26, 2013 by: Darren Taylor
The Sault College Board of Governors was delighted to hear student Brad Lovell’s story at its’ regular meeting Thursday.
The 26-year-old first-year Forest Conservation Technician student hails from British Columbia and told the Board he is clearly thrilled with the College as an institution and Sault Ste. Marie as a community.
Lovell moved to the Sault only weeks ago with his wife and 10-month-old daughter to begin his studies at the College.
Lovell says he and his wife have always loved the outdoors and said it didn’t take a lot of convincing from College staff, after being provided with information and given a tour of the campus, to pursue forestry studies in this community.
“The College gave me a ton of information about the program, and there is a really nice sense that people are proud to live here.”
Despite the deep freeze we’ve been experiencing lately, Lovell doesn’t seem to mind it, stating he is looking forward to experiencing Bon Soo and enjoying the Hub Trail once spring arrives.
“I’m really sold on the community. You can see hills in the distance, you can’t see that in other communities where the landscape is flat. There are places like Vancouver or Ottawa where people move to for a job, but people move here because they like it here.”
“I’m looking to stay in Sault Ste. Marie when I’m done at Sault College. There are opportunities here. I can’t think of a reason to leave,” Lovell told SooToday.com.
Another person who enjoys Sault Ste. Marie is Sault College President Dr. Ron Common.
As reported earlier, Common is postponing his retirement until summer 2014 in order to keep working on various College projects, including the “E2” project (a planned Institute for Energy and the Environment).
Common delivered a report to the Board Thursday, with Sault Mayor Debbie Amaroso in attendance, outlining the economic impact Sault College has on Sault Ste. Marie.
Common said “an important fact is that over 800 students come from out of town every year to Sault College, we’re bringing these students in and they contribute to the local economy.”
Common estimated the College’s annual economic impact on the community ranges between $115 million and $154 million, depending on various economic measuring methods.
Common added that in recent years the College has added 107 well-paying, full-time jobs internally, pointing out 58 of the 107 hires were from out of town. When adding those staff members’ families, Common said “it is reasonable to assume those 58 have brought in around 200 people, adding to the beneficial economic impact. We’re doing our best to meet the needs of the community.”
Meantime, the Board of Governors approved two new additions for the College’s roster of programs.
Continuing Education Chair Laurie Poirier said a new Occupational Health and Safety Certificate program will be offered in a compressed classroom delivery format beginning in April. The program will also be offered on a part-time basis, with potential for availability online.
Poirier told the Board “we had very favourable feedback from the province to bring this program in…there is potential in our area in terms of the job market.”
Graduates of the 315 hour program would be qualified to work in business, industry and government to help identify and control a myriad of occupational health and safety concerns.
A Business Information Technology Skills Certificate was also approved by the Board Thursday.
That program will offer students the opportunity to brush up on office software knowledge.
It will be offered entirely online and open to all eligible students, but Poirier emphasized the catalyst for taking the program was to offer Sault College staff an opportunity to take the course online at their discretion.
“The certificate program will be offered as a Continuing Education initiative, but keeping in mind the program is primarily developed for staff. It will be open, but the primary audience will be staff of Sault College,” Poirier said.
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fatafr 1/26/2013 10:15:18 AM ReportThis is a good news story on a number of levels. First, it's great to see that Brad and his family have moved here and are very happy with the decision to make Sault Ste. Marie their home.I truly wish Brad good luck with his future aspirations and hope that they can remain here for years to come.
Also, it's very nice that Dr. Common has decided to stay on for a while longer at Sault College. It's very exciting to see the changes that continue to happen at the College and with your continued guidance, I know we can expect more positive developments.
It can't be over-stated how important our two post-secondary institutions are to the growth and success of this fantastic Community.
mallemang 1/26/2013 12:39:08 PM Reportgreat story. I moved here from niagara falls in the 70's after highschool to go to college and adopted the sault as my home. I love it here. Now I teach at sault college and will retire here! I have 4 kids and 3 of them are raising their families here. :-)
Working Man 1/26/2013 12:57:25 PM ReportI still have no idea why people like this city.
Beej 1/26/2013 4:21:15 PM ReportIt is a great place to be if you are the outdoorsy type. Also kinda nice that it's a border city and you can slip across in minutes and fill your tank and not have to leave your first born behind to pay for it, there are also many pretty places to visit in Michigan like Mackinac Island, Traverse City, etc.
sportsfan17 1/26/2013 5:27:50 PM ReportMight as well get out of here then "Working Man", don't need any of your negativity here!
rcssm69 1/26/2013 5:51:18 PM ReportWorking Man is probably uneducated, and was lucky to find a job here. More than likely it's minimum wage and he is stuck in a rut! He has a lot of time to complain because its a part-time job. Complaining brings light to his dismal life! He will always blame the city for his misfortune, since he can't face the truth!!! We are stuck with him!!!
Bad Dawg 1/27/2013 1:10:44 PM ReportI moved here 11 yrs ago, there is plenty to do from walks to Jeeping. One of the best cities to work in, I am in the construction trade and there in no shortage of work. Working man makes excuses not paychecks
Working Man 1/27/2013 7:30:52 PM Reportrcssm69,
Your comment doesn't make any sense at all. Lol. It's amazing how many stupid comments I read on this website. It's not even funny really.
I have an university degree and a full-time job. And I can beat anybody's ass in Calculus!
Blame the city for my misfortune? :S My screen name is 'working man'. If I had a minimum wage job I would describe myself as 'unambitous guy'.
Look, my comment was, 'I don't know why people think this is such a great city' or something like that.
Your comment was ridiculously stupid and didn't make any sense at all in response to what I said. I am here to take care of my elderly parents before they die.
Working Man 1/27/2013 7:32:56 PM ReportBad dawg,
Anybody can be a labourer in construction.
What excuses did I make anyway? And what are your paychecks worth anyway?
Working Man 1/27/2013 7:40:54 PM Reportbeej,
I agree.
Mac Island and Traversity is nice. I would never buy food or gas from the states though. We have better groceries than they do and their gas is watered down. It's good if you're cheap and want to save a buck or two though.
I guess I do understand why some people like this city.
The only problem is nobody likes to do anything fun here. There doesn't seem to be that much for entertainment. I'm not into the studio10. I'd rather get it for free--I have dignity and self-respect.
rcssm69 1/28/2013 9:42:09 AM ReportWorking Man...
You actually wrote "I still have no idea why people like this city."
You mention stupid comments...what do you think that was?!?!? You know that you were out to create negativity and you know it was going to incite negative comments towards you. So don't be surprised! There are some people that love this City and will defend it every chance they get!
Try posting something positive and you will reap the rewards!!!
Working Man 1/28/2013 2:21:19 PM Reportrcssm69,
Ok, ok. Yes, people like this city so they can hunt and fish, go for walks and buy food and gas from the states.
So, yes you're right. I do have a general idea why some people like to live here.
But if you're trying to insult somebody, find out who they are first and make the insult sensible. I can tell you that 'you're on welfare' or 'I make more money than you' or anything for that matter. But if I don't know you, then it wouldn't make any sense.
Note: Comments that appear on the site are not the opinion of SooToday.com. Keep discussions civil and on topic. Refrain from obscenity and don't post anything that your grandmother would be ashamed to read. Those who do not abide by these guidelines will have their membership revoked without notice. If you see an abusive post, please click the link beside the post to report it.
