Rita Ossington
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Profile Rita Ossington (Hayes) is in her second term as Ward 1 Councillor. A lifelong resident of the Town of Tecumseh, she is the middle of nine children of Henry and Geraldine Hayes. Rita is married to Bryn and is the mother of three grown children:
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| Ward 1 Councillor -Rita Ossington |
Education:
- St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Technology - Communication Arts - Tourism & Travel, Hotel Motel Management, Advertising
- St. Anne High School - Honours Secondary School Diploma
- St. Pius X Elementary School
Certification and Continuing Studies:
- Festival and Event Management Certification
- Super Host
- Smart Serve
- Business Management Certification
- Human Resources
- Heritage Planning
Community Awards:
Volunteer Ontario, Ontario Municipal Recreation Association, Celebration 88, Appreciation Award St. Clair College, Leadership Awards
Employment History:
- Canada South Festival Network - Executive Director
A regional organization advocating on behalf of and supporting festivals; promoting the region as a festival tourist destination; part of local grant review team (2000 - Present) - Allison’s Travel Agency - Windsor - Travel Councillor
Presently as outside sales to service my clientele (1992 – Present) - Tecumseh BIA - Co-ordinator
Promoting and supporting our local businesses while acting as liaison with Council (1998 - 2000) - Family Tradition Foods - (now Bonduelle) Tecumseh - Employment Supervisor & First Aid Officer (1995-98)
- Worked in different capacities and areas of the travel industry - tour director, wholesale/retail sales, supervisory, management and training (1970 to 1992)
Community Involvement
- Tourism Windsor Essex - Provisional Board, Transition Board and Convention and Visitors Bureau of Windsor, Essex County and Pelee Island (Vice Chair) - representing the County at Large and the Festival Network (7 years)
- Essex Community Futures Development Board of Directors - representing the Town of Tecumseh, the Tourism sector & serving as member of the Loans Committee (6 years)
- Tecumseh Seniors’ Transit Board of Directors - presently Secretary Treasurer – TST provides door to door service to those over 55 years of age and persons with disabilities (5 years)
- Parish of the Good Shepherd (St. Gregory Site) - Co-ordinator of the weekly Children’s Liturgy (15 years)
- Tecumseh Corn Festival Committee - 23 years as Executive Member & presently as a volunteer for Seniors Day
Committee Work
I have chaired the Heritage, Arts & Culture, Corn Festival, Parks and Recreation and Planning Committees and maintain an active part in all Standing Committees of Council.
Important Issues for 2010
It is important that we continue to make sure we have projects shelf ready in order to take advantage of all government programs and initiatives. Moving forward we need to adopt policies that promote environmental priorities and sustainable development and growth.
We must continue moving forward with our Master Parks and Recreation Plan and Transportation studies and they should include an implementation or roll out plan.
As a person of service to the residents it is important to me to continue to link our citizens with the appropriate departments to ensure resolution of issues in a timely manner.
In these strained economic times we need to strive to create a balanced infrastructure that recognizes the importance of good roads, open space, parks, our arts and culture and our heritage infrastructure while protecting our services and maintaining our low tax advantage.
