City of Kawartha Lakes Manager is new AMCTO President

MISSISSAUGA - Christine (Christi) Norris, CMO, Manager, Revenue and Taxation for the City of Kawartha Lakes, was sworn in as President of AMCTO (the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario) at the 71st Annual Meeting of the Association on June 17th in Sault Ste Marie.

Founded in 1938, AMCTO is Ontario's largest municipal professional association, and the leading professional development organization for administrative staff in municipal government.

In her inaugural address Christi Norris acknowledged the many opportunities that AMCTO has provided to her throughout her career, and pledged as AMCTO President to give back to the Association and its members.

Throughout her speech, Ms. Norris wove the theme of 'I CARE' from AMCTO's current Strategic Plan, extolling the virtues of: Integrity; Community; Accountability; Respect; and Excellence. "These values speak to the strengths that each of us bring to the Association, which therefore strengthens the Association as a whole," said Norris. "My objective as President will be to ensure that all decisions of the Board will be grounded in these 'I CARE' values and principles, and will embody accountability and respectfulness to the needs of our membership." Norris further stated; "the coming year will be fraught with various challenges, but I have always believed that for each challenge an opportunity awaits for those willing to take the risk."

Said Kawartha Lakes Mayor Ric McGee; "AMCTO is the Premier local government association in the Province of Ontario. Ms. Norris's appointment speaks volumes to her commitment to Public Service and her competence as a Public Servant. I congratulate Christi on her appointment and wish her success during her term as President."

Christi Norris began her municipal career in 1979 at the "Borough" of Scarborough, and since then has held increasingly progressive positions in several municipalities including; the Township of Bexley, and the Township of Somerville, before assuming her current position with Kawartha Lakes. During the restructuring which led to the amalgamated municipality of Kawartha Lakes, Christi, in her role as Manager of Revenue and Taxation oversaw the implementation of a new financial system in regard to property taxation, utility billing and accounts receivable. Ms. Norris is also a former President of the Association of Municipal Tax Collectors of Ontario. Christi has sat on numerous committees regarding tax legislation, including the Municipal Reference Group established by the Province.

At the first meeting of the new AMCTO Board of Directors on Wednesday June 17th, Tony Haddad, CMO, Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Tecumseh, was named as Vice-President for the 2009 - 2010 term.