The recent announcement that long-time mayoral assistant Marie José Aubertin has taken a retirement option comes as little surprise, given the litany of familiar names and faces on the City of Westmount staff who have decided to leave over the past couple of years.

But while several key positions have been filled by capable newcomers to the Westmount community, Marie José's departure will no doubt be felt for a long time to come. Though the City staff has several able replacements on its roster, somehow the reception desk outside the mayor's office won't be the same without her.

Marie José has served the City with distinction and dedication. She is well-known for her bright and chipper personality, and could always be counted on to be the very epitome of cheerfulness and professional efficiency. Even during the darkest days a few years ago when Westmount was forced under the auspices of the City of Montreal and morale around City Hall was at an all-time low, Marie José remained steadfast in her constant good cheer despite obvious bureaucratic hardships.

We wish her all the very best for a happy retirement.

Some come for the hockey action, others come for the exercise, but all come to help raise money for one of the worthiest of worthy causes — our children's hospitals.

Members of Westmount's old timers' hockey team may no longer have all the speed and agility of their youth, but they certainly have every reason to be proud of themselves, not only for having recently organized and participated in their annual fundraising 'tounoi', but for having done it for the 20th consecutive year.

Anyone who has attended this now-traditional event will attest that it takes a daunting amount of organizing and logistical prowess to put together the three-day hockey tournament, silent auction and other activities, and once again the players and their families pulled it off admirably.

Inspired by the late Nicolas Matossian Jr. (son of the former Westmount city councillor), whose own battle with brain cancer drove him to help other kids, the efforts of these dedicated individuals is truly remarkable. But the ever-modest players and prime organizers would be quick to point out that their annual success is due in large part to an outpouring of support from local businesses, organizations and individuals who come through with donations of goods and services. This of course makes the annual SWAT hockey 'tournoi' a true community initiative and a proud Westmount tradition.