Mayor John Rowswell

Sault Ste. Marie Mayor John Rowswell was the posthumous winner of the 2010 Paul Dalseg Award, sponsored by the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce.

The Paul Dalseg Award recognizes a businessperson in Sault Ste. Marie who has demonstrated exemplary interest in the community, and in so doing, has made a major, outstanding and unique achievement or contribution to the life of the community.

It is intended to recognize the leadership and community-mindedness of businessmen and women.

To read profiles of other 2010 winners, please click here.

Here's what they said about John Rowswell at yesterday's award presentation:

************************ We are pleased to recognize John Rowswell for his outstanding efforts, contributions, service and commitment to our community. An engineer by trade, John Rowswell, was fist elected mayor of Sault Ste. Marie in 2000. He served in this capacity until his passing in August of 2010.

His focus during his time in office would be on the diversification of the local economy and quality of life for the residents of the community.

He came to office with strong vision of raising the Sault’s profile from a small Northern Ontario city to an international gateway.

He would build international ties for the community and oversee a variety of transportation improvements in and around our city.

He was a strong supporter and advocate of green initiatives and welcomed business that focused on new and innovative green processes.

He recognized that the Sault, with its strategic location and access to linkages, a significant nearby commercial market, a wealth of natural resources and pristine natural environment, the had potential to be more than we ever imagined. He was also a strong advocate of the Hub Trail.

Those that knew Mayor John, as he liked to be called, also knew that there was an indomitable spirit within.

This was evidenced as earlier this year he completed swimming 5,000 laps at the YMCA pool, raising over $20,000 for the Strong Kids campaign, a challenge that he had been pursuing since 2007.

It was with this same spirit that he met the challenge of cancer for several years.

For offering direction, for leading and for inspiring our community, the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce is pleased to recognize Mayor John for his contributions and commitment to Sault Ste. Marie.

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