Niagara Region Coun. Sandie Bellows is the new chairwoman of Niagara Parks Commission.

Bellows, a former St. Catharines city councillor, was appointed to the board just four months ago. Her four-year term, announced late Tuesday by Ontario's Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, will begin immediately.

Bellows becomes the 15th chair in Niagara Parks Commission history. She replaces Janice Thomson, whose seven-and-a-half year term ended in November.

Contacted Wednesday, Thomson - she applied for another term - said she was "pleased" to see the position filled after nearly three months of vacancy.

"To anyone, it is one of the most wonderful privileges you can receive," she said, adding the job isn't about just one individual, but "the 1,700 people who work there."

David Adames, Niagara Parks' chief executive officer, said Bellows' "extensive community involvement background, as well as her deep roots in the Niagara area, will add tremendous perspective to the delivery of Niagara Parks' mandate."

Bellows joins the commission as it implements a new 10-year strategic plan. The St. Catharines resident has worked as a senior executive with Telus and general manager for CNN Staffing Solutions. As a PC candidate for St. Catharines in last June's provincial election, she was runner-up to the NDP's Jennie Stevens, capturing 33.6 per cent of the vote.

Bellows did not respond to multiple requests for comment regarding her new appointment.

The province appoints eight of the 12 seats on the Niagara Parks Commission board, including chair and vice-chair. The remaining four positions are appointed by the Region and the municipalities of Niagara Falls, Fort Erie and Niagara-on-the-Lake - all communities which include Niagara Parks property.

Founded in 1885, Niagara Parks Commission is an agency of the Ontario government but receives no government funding for its operations. It oversees several sites, trails and attractions along the 56-kilometre span of the Niagara Parkway.

John.Law@niagaradailies.com

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