Bruce Northrup introduced our guest speaker Jason Thorne for our April 4th, 2011 meeting. Bruce has known and worked with Jason on several projects in the past few years. Jason was born and raised in Sussex.
He was away at university, finishing up his degree when a friend of his emailed him and told him about his “dream job.” He worked out the pros and cons and decided it was his opportunity to come back home. He has been working for the town ever since...
Jason started with the Town in January of 2005. His mother is Kathy Thorne; he has three sisters, one of whom is in Hong Kong. Jason did a co-op term with Hans Lamens when he was thinking about being a teacher but is very happy with his career and where it has taken him. Projects include the O’Connell Park Equipment Upgrade. They are planning on doing upgrades that will allow children with disabilities to use some of the facilities by adding a play structure for them to access the original structure. This includes a new swing seat with a safety harness.
Another project is Communities in Bloom. Communities in Bloom are a group of locals that have got together on a committee to join this international event. Hampton has had a group in the Communities in Bloom competition for the past ten years and won the international championship in 2007, so they have been helping Sussex get started in this event (without giving away all of their secrets). Jason is the only male on the committee with several other women from the community, including Joan Rutledge and Jenny Reicker. Their committee is offering their expertise for our Flower Wheel Project. Sussex will be participating in the Communities in Bloom competition for the first year this year in July. Projects include an enhancement to the Sussex Community Entrance Signs as well as Marigolds on Maple (MOM). Marigolds on Maple will be an annual event that involves the community similar to what they have in Saint John with the Marigolds on Main. Kingswood has offered their workforce to be more involved in the community, and Cardwell Farms has also offered to partner up with them to help with the compost they will need for the flower beds.
One of the Town's most significant initiatives is the Trout Creek Master Plan. Basic Design and Associates were brought in to help with the architecture of the project.
Jason gave a great presentation of what they have in mind for the area to make it more approachable with footpaths and bridges, etcetera.
Jason started with the Town in January of 2005. His mother is Kathy Thorne; he has three sisters, one of whom is in Hong Kong. Jason did a co-op term with Hans Lamens when he was thinking about being a teacher but is very happy with his career and where it has taken him. Projects include the O’Connell Park Equipment Upgrade. They are planning on doing upgrades that will allow children with disabilities to use some of the facilities by adding a play structure for them to access the original structure. This includes a new swing seat with a safety harness.
Another project is Communities in Bloom. Communities in Bloom are a group of locals that have got together on a committee to join this international event. Hampton has had a group in the Communities in Bloom competition for the past ten years and won the international championship in 2007, so they have been helping Sussex get started in this event (without giving away all of their secrets). Jason is the only male on the committee with several other women from the community, including Joan Rutledge and Jenny Reicker. Their committee is offering their expertise for our Flower Wheel Project. Sussex will be participating in the Communities in Bloom competition for the first year this year in July. Projects include an enhancement to the Sussex Community Entrance Signs as well as Marigolds on Maple (MOM). Marigolds on Maple will be an annual event that involves the community similar to what they have in Saint John with the Marigolds on Main. Kingswood has offered their workforce to be more involved in the community, and Cardwell Farms has also offered to partner up with them to help with the compost they will need for the flower beds.
One of the Town's most significant initiatives is the Trout Creek Master Plan. Basic Design and Associates were brought in to help with the architecture of the project.
Jason gave a great presentation of what they have in mind for the area to make it more approachable with footpaths and bridges, etcetera.