Greater Geary Association
The Greater Geary Association Inc. (GGA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for those in the communities of Geary, French Lake, Haneytown and Waterville in Burton Local Service District (LSD), New Brunswick, Canada. The Greater Geary area is home to approximately 3000 residents, which is 55% of the population of Burton LSD, and 12% of the population of Sunbury County. As of February 2012, the GGA has approximately 50 members and five corporate members.
OUR OBJECTIVES
- To provide a non-partisan forum for the citizens of Geary, French Lake, Haneytown and Waterville to bring forth, discuss and address mutual concerns facing the communities
- To seek out new opportunities to enhance the quality of life in Greater Geary
- To speak in support of the citizens of Greater Geary in local matters of provincial and federal jurisdiction
EVENTS -
Annual Report is located under "publications"
Sunbury-Oromocto Campground
Julia's Upholstery
Hanson Art Gallery
Greg Stewart Ltd.
Geary Monuments
GGA NEWS
May 31, 2012 - Election for Burton LSD Advisory Committee, 7 pm, Oromocto Community Centre, Miramichi Rd (See the flyer here)
A meeting will be held for the election of an Advisory Committee for the Burton Local Service District (which includes Geary, French Lake, Haneytown and Waterville, as well as the Burton Area communities) on Thursday, May 31, 7 pm at the Oromocto Community Centre on Miramichi Rd (not the Hazen Centre). Recall that a month or so ago, following several community dialogues over the past couple of years, the GGA and the Burton and Area Citizens Association jointly circulated a sign up sheet to obtain community support from both sides of the LSD to elect an Advisory Committee. We had excellent support for this, so we jointly submitted the sign up sheets and the provincial government has now called the meeting for next week.
It's really important for as many people as possible to attend and show their support for establishing the Committee. With all the changes being discussed about local governance, it is important for our communities to officially be at the table.
The meeting will be hosted by Hugh Doherty from the Dept. of Local Government. Following a succesful motion to continue the meeting, nominations will be accepted from the floor to serve on the committee. A minimum of 3 and maximum of 5 people are needed to form a committee.
If you have additional questions about the process, Hugh's contact information can be found on the flyer here on the website.
May 30, 2012 - Greater Geary Recreation Council Annual Meeting - 7 pm at the Geary Lions Club
Feb 27, 2012. The Greater Geary Association and the Burton and Area Citizens Association soliciting support for organizing an official Local Service District Advisory Council
Over the last while, the Greater Geary Association (GGA) and the Burton and Area Citizens Association (BACA) have been working to help our communities better understand how local governance works. Even though we function as two separate areas, we all live in Burton Local Service District (LSD), one of the largest LSDs in New Brunswick that doesn’t have an official advisory council. Both the BACA and GGA believe now is the time for our communities to elect an official advisory council to speak in support of all residents of Burton LSD, while ensuring both sides of the LSD are properly represented.
Why now? The provincial government is developing regional commissions made up of mayors of cities, towns and villages, as well as official representatives from LSDs to help coordinate planning and local services. Given that Burton LSD does not have any official representatives, we will not have any official say into this process, which will start later this year. The information outlining this process and a map can be found on the Local Government website:
http://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/local_government.html
How do we organize? The provincial government requires that we have at least 25 signatures of residents from Burton LSD, then a community meeting will be called where we, the citizens, can vote on whether we want a committee. If we do, we can then elect the first councillors at that meeting, ensuring representation from both sides of the LSD.
While 25 is the minimum, we want more! Sign-up sheets will be placed in the Burton Ultramar and the Geary Petro-Can. Please stop in and let's get this process started!
We are arranging for notices to be placed in your mailboxes with information about the procedure. This will be followed by a notice of where and when the election will take place.
This is a historic opportunity for our communities to have official local representation, permitting us as the citizens to have direct input into the planning and services that impact us, our families and communities.
Thank you in advance for your support in this endeavour and going forward.
Trevor Hanson, Chair, Greater Geary Association
Mary Mesheau, Chair, Burton and Area Citizens Association
Dec 14, 2011 - Minister Carr Announces Geary Elementary Community School will get a new gym and other upgrades!
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/story/2011/12/14/nb-education-capital-projects-149.html
June 6, 2011. GGA Annual General Meeting at 6:30 pm at Geary Lions Centre
May 15, 2011. GG Recreation Council Looking for members. Download membership form here.
May 3, 2011, 7 pm. Recreation Council Volunteer Drive. Meeting at Geary SCHOOL
November 3, 2010, 7 pm - Seniors Recreation Meeting at the Geary Lions Centre. Meeting to discuss results of survey from August.
September 22, 2010 - Geary Elementary Community School #1 priority in District 17! Read the article in the Daily Gleaner
http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/search/article/1232751
September 17, 2010 - Local governance improvements needed to better engage citizens: GGA - Read the press release here
August 20, 2010 - New Lincoln School gives hope to Greater Geary - Read the press release here.
August 25, 2010 - The Greater Geary Association, in cooperation with the Geary Lions Club, invites all interested seniors to a meeting on Wed, Aug 25, 7pm at the Lions Centre to provide input on what recreation activities they would like to see in their communities. Ultimately, we are developing a Recreation Plan for an age-friendly rural community. If you need transportation, or can provide it, please contact Trevor Hanson. Looking forward to seeing you there!
May 28, 2010 - Geary Lions Club and Greater Geary Recreation Council to hire two summer students courtesy of Federal and Provincial summer job programs.
May 17, 2010 - GGA to host learning sessions and roundtable discussions on how Greater Geary local governance works, 7 pm May 31 (following AGM)
While the four communities of Greater Geary and the communities of Burton appear separate on maps, few people realize that both areas are actually considered the same area by the provincial government, according to Trevor Hanson, chair of the non-profit Greater Geary Association (GGA). Read full press release
