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2011 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 840
Commending B. David Canada.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 11, 2011
Agreed to by the Senate, February 17, 2011

 

WHEREAS, B. David Canada, a native of South Boston, earned his baccalaureate degree in economics from The College of William and Mary, a master's degree in urban planning from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a master's degree in economics from Virginia State University; and

WHEREAS, on April 1, 1972, B. David Canada began his 30-year career with the City of Petersburg in the Department of Social Services, where he worked until 1976; from 1985 to 1996, he served as Director of Planning, and on September 4, 1996, was named city manager, a position in which he has served the City of Petersburg for nearly 15 years; and

WHEREAS, as city manager, B. David Canada envisioned "a world-class community that promotes pride in the city, encourages mutual respect among citizens, and offers opportunities to all of its citizens to share fully in life's experiences including educational, recreational, cultural and economic opportunities"; and

WHEREAS, B. David Canada further envisioned the City of Petersburg as a "caring community, where the past meets the future, and as a city that is committed to achieving high quality of life for all"; and

WHEREAS, B. David Canada's administration focused the city on service to citizens while maintaining financial stability; he has received accolades for his leadership and service and is credited with Petersburg's great strides in revitalization, restoration, and the resurgence of economic development; and

WHEREAS, B. David Canada's policy of fiscal sustainability and a balanced budget has contributed to Petersburg's rebounding economy, renewed prominence among municipalities, and revitalization, facilitating its ability to maximize its rich history to provide real opportunities for its citizens today and seize its future with assurance; and

WHEREAS, major economic development endeavors during B. David Canada's tenure as city manager include large expansions at Boehringer Ingelheim, a global pharmaceuticals manufacturer; the relocation and new construction of Southside Regional Medical Center's multi-million dollar hospital; the expansion of the Petersburg Interstate Industrial Park and the Eastwood Corporate Park; revitalization of downtown Petersburg and the conversion of old manufacturing facilities into residential housing and retail development space; increased residential and retail growth along the Crater/Wagner Roads corridor and the Route 460 east corridor; development of an arts and cultural district; advancement of regional and public-private partnerships; and construction of the Regional Multi-Modal Transit Center; and

WHEREAS, new economic development projects also include the sale of the city's landfill to Container First Services and the opening of its corporate headquarters in the city, and numerous other projects in the developmental stage; and

WHEREAS, always astutely assessing the needs of the city and the impact of potential legislation on communities, B. David Canada's gifts and talents have equipped him to work successfully with persons of diverse backgrounds and with all levels of government, academia, and the community; and

WHEREAS, B. David Canada is an exceptional and dedicated public servant who epitomizes the "municipal employee," and his knowledge and expertise, abilities, matchless municipal management skills, vast institutional knowledge, passion, commitment, humanitarianism, and keen perception on city issues make him a valuable leader and very difficult to replace; and

WHEREAS, B. David Canada will end his illustrious 30-year service to the people of Petersburg with his retirement as city manager on June 30, 2011, and the Commonwealth extends its best wishes for a prosperous, restful, and productive retirement as he moves forward to the next level in his life; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend B. David Canada on his retirement after 30 years of service to the City of Petersburg and the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to B. David Canada as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration, best wishes, and appreciation for his service to the people of the Commonwealth.