Over $12,000 raised at Gord Leonard event

By Vickie Kee AWARE Tiny August 30 2012 

The first annual Tiny Deputy-Mayor’s Memorial Golf Tournament and Dinner, in memory of Gord Leonard, took place on FridayAugust 24, 2012. The Lynn-Stone Funeral Home was the corporate sponsor with other businesses supporting, as well. There was also donations and prizes.

The dinner was catered by ELM catering and it was fantastic. A silent auction was held during dinner. There were some special moments such as when Pierre Pilote presented to Justin and Tyler, Gord’s grandsons, autographed pictures and the hockey stick, which they had put a bid on from the silent auction. The looks on their faces was priceless.

The master of ceremonies, Deputy-Mayor George Lawrence, presented to Bev Leonard a beautiful bouquet of flowers on behalf of Tiny Township. She was left speechless. Over $12,000 has been raised for the Georgian Bay General Hospital Foundation, in memory  of Gord Leonard, our friend.

 

 

By Douglas Glynn Midland Free Press August 29 2012

WYEVALE — The first annual Deputy Mayor’s golf tournament and dinner in memory of the late Gord Leonard last Friday raised more than $10,000 for the Georgian Bay General Hospital Foundation.

“We are here today to celebrate the life of Gord Leonard and use this celebration to contribute to our local hospital foundation,” Tiny Township deputy mayor George Lawrence told those attending the dinner.

Leonard, a farmer and nursery operator, played a pivotal role in helping to stop landfill Site 41.  He died earlier this year at age 64.

“Gord was family to all who knew him,” said Lawrence.  “Many of us can still visualize him standing up at a community monitoring committee meeting and challenging the county’s so-called experts.”

He described Leonard as not only a businessman, but a dedicated volunteer in his community. 

“I would like to thank the Leonard family for sharing Gord with us over the years.”

When Leonard first learned about the landfill site that was to be created next to his farm, he became concerned about it’s potential impact on the vast aquifer of water that stretches from Georgian Bay to well beyond the Oak Ridges Moraine.

“Contaminate that water, and all the farms around it will die —mine included,” he warned.

He became a member of the community monitoring committee and an articulate spokesman who translated technical reports and political statements into a language his family, neighbours and concerned residents could understand.

Many people have praised his tenacity during the years-long battle to halt the landfill.  

Long-time Site 41 opponent Steve Ogden has said “the people would never have won the battle if Gord hadn’t been there; had he not remained persistent.”

Lawrence said the events were a success because of the support of many volunteers and business sponsors.