LILA CYR.

• Author: Faye, Donna
• Position: Brief Article

Town councillor - Blind River

Every morning Lila Cyr wakes up and prays that she will do something that makes a difference in some-one's life. And though Cyr never asks for rewards or recognition, a number of friends and colleagues couldn't resist nominating her as a Woman of Influence in Northern Ontario.

Cyr says she was 'stunned" when she heard that she had been selected for the distinction. The news reached Cyr while she was attending a course to work on the census.

In fact, Cyr didn't even think she would be available for the Influential Awards ceremony because she had previously scheduled a trip with physically challenged adults to Ottawa. But she made plans to make sure they board the plane, and she will meet them later.

What keeps this mother of two, and grandmother of five, active in her community of Blind River?

Cyr says her idea of relaxing is having two or three projects on the go. Not only did Cyr own and operate a local grocery and variety store for 25 years, but she joined the town's minor hockey association in 1974 and became its president in 1980. She was elect d president of the Blind River and District Chamber of Commerce in 1979 and worked as part of the executive until 1932.

In 1982 Cyr was elected to municipal council, working with various committees and serving for a time as deputy-mayor and chairperson of finance. For 19 years Cyr has served her community as a town councillor - a role that opens doors for her o help people, says Natalie PetersonLabbee, a colleague of the town's Festivals 2000 committee.

"Lila receives the most votes in each election," PetersonLabbee says.

Cyr is also dedicated to maintaining the Franco-Ontarian culture of Blind River, where francophones make up 30 percent of the population.

After the nearby town of Sault Ste. Marie passed its English-only resolution, it wasn't popular to be francophone, Cyr says. That's when she decided to restore some of the French culture and language.

But while Cyr is proud of her own ancestry, she would also like to see more respect for all languages, including Native languages.

"No minority should be stepped on." Cyr says. "We're like crayons in a box, and we should learn to live together."

Most recently, Cyr has obtained grants to open a facility for seniors. The grant will enable the facility to hire a well ness co-ordinator to work with the seniors. The centre is scheduled to be unveiled on July 7.

A more long-term project for Cyr, and one that had some...