The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 65 held its annual general meeting Tuesday night at the hall on Duke Avenue, and there was a mix of good news and bad news.

The good news was the branch is in decent shape, financially, and 23 new members were initiated at the meeting.

The bad news is the building's in need of a new roof, and they'll have to borrow around $50,000 to get it done next year. The members voted unanimously to move forward with that.

Bob Oldford was elected as the new branch president, and he acknowledges there's a lot of work to do.

"We've laid some really good groundwork over the last several years. And in the last year as first vice-president, I've been involved in some of what we're trying to do here at the Legion. I look forward to continuing that, and working with the Executive that's been elected tonight. As well. to keep moving the branch forward, always honouring and remembering our veterans."

Oldford outlines his approach to the position.

"To continue to honour our veterans. To attempt to get the cooperation of the whole Executive, and the membership, and get moving forward. Spending time speaking with my members here. Learning from some of the other Legions across the province as well. It's not just talking with our own members, but also talking with other branches around, and how we can do thing to make the Legion better."

Among the new members initiated was Richard Alexander. He says it's something he wanted to do.

"My grandfather was part of the Legion, my father is part of the Legion, and it was one of those decisions that I had to think about. But because of what the Legion represents, and what they stand for -- looking after the veterans, helping out with their communities -- it's a great organization, and that's what really helped me decide."

Not only did Alexander decide to join the Legion, he was also elected to branch's Executive Committee.