Page 35 - Cornwall Sports Energy News Issue No 96, Mike Piquette

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Continued from page 34
a member of your network or with the you from being part of a network.
entire group.
As you complete these exercises,
there’s a good chance you might find out
you are part of a network already, and
you didn’t even know it.
1. What emotion did you experience as
we discussed networks?
2. What do you think makes up a good
network?
3. List networks that you feel you are
part of.
4. Now, go back to the last question and
write out what you think you contribute
It Is What It Is
By Peter Collins
n these burdensome times, as we
Iclose out 2020 and look forward
to 2021, here’s a reminder of how
important role models and heroes
are. Heroes and role models are
difficult to find today, with too
many me-first mentalities, and
a general abdication of duty by
many of today’s so-called leaders.
My siblings and I didn’t have look
too far to find role models in our
household when we were young.
Luckily, they were manifested in
the form of our parents.
My mother provided
unconditional love and support,
and was always there for us, no
matter what the circumstances
were. My father was in charge of
motivation and discipline, and he
used sports to achieve the desired
results. Dad, like many fathers,
was my first hero and a role model
for us growing up in small-town
Cornwall. He played most sports,
including high school basketball
and football, and later semi-pro
football.
As a young father, he instilled
in me and my three siblings a love
of sport and all things related to
sports. More than just exposing
us to different sports, he was
an enabler, and by that I mean
he gave us the equipment and
facilities to pursue athletics in
many different forms. He built a
rink in our backyard and worked
hard to maintain the best ice in the
Issue #96 January 2021 35
to any group you’re part of.
2020
5. List any barriers that have prevented “Our Dedication Will Move You!”
6. What network or networks would
Sports Energy
you like to find that can help you with
Greater Cornwall & Areas Community Sports Newspaper
specific issues you are having?
7. Who are the most dynamic people you Joshua Coyle
have in any of your networks, and what 2020 Sales Representative
have you learned from them? Cell: 613-577-4570
8. Do you have networks you would like Sports Energy joshuacoylestormrealty@gmail.com
to find that aren’t career-related? Greater Cornwall & Areas Community Sports Newspaper
9. Are your networks something you
mark in your calendar and make them
part of your schedule? Focus on
10. Figure out two networks you want to
have a contact with in the next three days
and make it happen. South Glengarry Politics
Interview with Sam McDonell
neighbourhood. Not only that, he
put spotlights up on our garage, so
we could play late into the night. In
the summer, he cut the grass every
week in the vacant land behind us, By Casey Leger
which doubled the size of our yard
am McDonell of North Lancaster
and allowed us to play football,
lacrosse, baseball, and soccer in a Swas first elected as a councilor
park-like atmosphere. We also had for South Glengarry in October of 2018.
a basketball net and a gym in the This 25-year-old first-term councilor has
basement. Dad provided us with earned a Diploma in Applied Agriculture
all the gear, helmets, skates, cleats,
from Kemptville College and studied Business
weights, and an assortment of balls.
Management at Olds College. He currently works as a Crop
You name it, we had it! Our house
Input Advisor for Synagri and on his family farm.
and yard became a hang-out for the
“I`ve been distantly involved in politics since I was in high
neighbourhood kids, and there was
always some kind of game going school,” McDonell says. “I spent time helping on campaigns by
on. putting up lawn signs, helping at events, and playing bagpipes
What made my father exceptional at events.”
was that much of the time during McDonell was prompted to run for municipal politics because
our childhood he worked multiple he didn’t necessarily agree with all of the decisions that were
jobs, including the TCF mill, he was being made or the direction that things were going. “I felt I
on the union executive, and worked could help make a difference for the community that has given
part time at local gas stations. As
me so much,” he explains.
my siblings and I progressed and
There are many things McDonell would like to accomplish
started playing in various leagues,
on behalf of the constituents of South Glengarry. “My priority
Dad brought us to our games and
projects would include increasing the natural gas, fiber internet,
over-cheered our accomplishments
(some might call it yelling), always and cell coverage networks,” he says.
pushing us to do our best. The Working on water and wastewater capacity in Glen Walter
result of his love and support when and helping make sure that the municipality continues to
it came to sports was that he raised invest in important roads infrastructure is another priority for
four trash-talking, somewhat
the councilor.
overbearing, highly competitive,
results-oriented adults. His lessons For McDonell, the most rewarding aspect of being a councilor
in sport enabled us to carry these is working with staff to resolve issues for constituents, be it a
traits into our adult lives. He knew building problem, connectivity issue, or a drainage problem.
that being involved in sports would “The most challenging aspect,” he says, “is when controversial
make us better citizens and enable issues come to the table and the right decision isn’t the more
us to transfer those skills into popular choice, but you have to keep your integrity and do
our work and personal lives. So, what is best for the people we represent and the municipality.”
thanks, Dad. Thanks for taking
the time, putting in the effort, and Councilor McDonell would like the voters to know that he
going above and beyond. You are appreciates all their support and that he is always open to their
in our Hall of Fame! phone calls and emails.