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Council off to a good start
07 December 2010
The inauguration, yesterday, at the Royal Canadian Legion set what I hope is the positive tone for the next four years. Mayor Sandra Cooper promised several things, including a focus on the budget, the changing of the patio bylaw, and a return to the inclusive budget process the previous mayor autocratically changed without council input.
I'm sure Sandra won't make these changes or take initiatives without council's input, but the general mood among the new council was agreement with her comments and a willingness to move forward. We have a lot to do to restore public faith in our municipal government, but I believe this council will take those steps quickly.
Mayor Cooper did not make any fatuous "I'm just one of nine" remarks that would soon prove hollow words, as we discovered to our chagrin last term. She did, however, speak about public input and listening to the public. She spoke well - perhaps the best she's ever spoken.
When the person responsible for presenting the chain of office failed to appear, Sandra chose her father, Jack Bonwick for that honour; a wise, warm choice that drew a standing ovation from the audience. It was a moving moment.
Three of the incoming councillors, including me, thanked former mayor Terry Geddes for his support, friendship and advice. No one recognized, let alone thanked, the efforts of former mayor Chris Carrier for their election success. That spoke volumes. Everyone at the table spoke well, and the eagerness and enthusiasm was evident among all the new council's remarks.
None of the former councillors who failed to get re-elected were present at the inauguration. Perhaps it was the bad weather that kept them away. It didn't stop several hundred supporters and family from attending, however. Ex-mayor Carrier was present, but I didn't see any of our new council rushing to speak with him afterwards. He certainly shake my hand. For me, his term ended with a bitter, shallow note: Friday, when I was out of town, he sent me a critical, accusatory letter, about a blog piece I had written three weeks earlier. He continued to play the role of mayor last week even though the term officially ended, November 30, making this sour pettiness one of his last official acts. Others might have had the grace to step aside or at least retain the dignity of the office as they exited.
I might write more about that letter, later this week. But perhaps it's wiser for me to move forward and ignore him. We have a brighter future ahead of us.
I'm sure Sandra won't make these changes or take initiatives without council's input, but the general mood among the new council was agreement with her comments and a willingness to move forward. We have a lot to do to restore public faith in our municipal government, but I believe this council will take those steps quickly.
Mayor Cooper did not make any fatuous "I'm just one of nine" remarks that would soon prove hollow words, as we discovered to our chagrin last term. She did, however, speak about public input and listening to the public. She spoke well - perhaps the best she's ever spoken.
When the person responsible for presenting the chain of office failed to appear, Sandra chose her father, Jack Bonwick for that honour; a wise, warm choice that drew a standing ovation from the audience. It was a moving moment.
Three of the incoming councillors, including me, thanked former mayor Terry Geddes for his support, friendship and advice. No one recognized, let alone thanked, the efforts of former mayor Chris Carrier for their election success. That spoke volumes. Everyone at the table spoke well, and the eagerness and enthusiasm was evident among all the new council's remarks.
None of the former councillors who failed to get re-elected were present at the inauguration. Perhaps it was the bad weather that kept them away. It didn't stop several hundred supporters and family from attending, however. Ex-mayor Carrier was present, but I didn't see any of our new council rushing to speak with him afterwards. He certainly shake my hand. For me, his term ended with a bitter, shallow note: Friday, when I was out of town, he sent me a critical, accusatory letter, about a blog piece I had written three weeks earlier. He continued to play the role of mayor last week even though the term officially ended, November 30, making this sour pettiness one of his last official acts. Others might have had the grace to step aside or at least retain the dignity of the office as they exited.
I might write more about that letter, later this week. But perhaps it's wiser for me to move forward and ignore him. We have a brighter future ahead of us.
