New council sworn in
Latest incarnation of Summerside city council sworn in Monday
This term will be the last for the Chain of Office worn by the mayor of Summerside. “It has lived its life,” said local Kinsmen President Eric Ferrish, who presented the chain Monday night to mayor-elect Basil Stewart.
This term will be the last for the Chain of Office worn by the mayor of Summerside.
“It has lived its life,” said local Kinsmen President Eric Ferrish, who presented the chain Monday night to mayor-elect Basil Stewart.
The current chain has been in use since 1962 and is full. It lists the town’s (and now city’s) former commissioners and mayors since 1877.
The bible Justice Nancy Key held for the councillors taking their oaths during the official swearing in ceremony at Summerside City Hall, was much older, but no plans were announced for its retirement.
“It was the first one they used at the first swearing-in in 1867 for the first mayor and council,” said Stewart.
“I was instructed not to drop it,” added Key.
The good book appeared to be in pieces, the golden-brown leather cover no longer attached to the spine.
The new city council was sworn in Monday Dec. 3, beginning a new four-year term for the municipal government. Council chambers were “filled right out to the rafters,” said Stewart.
At least 100 people were in the audience, sitting, standing and
even listening from the hallway. Key shared a personal anecdote about nearly every councillor, and many hugs were exchanged with the supreme court justice, clad in black robes with satin maroon adornments.
Once the councillors were sworn in and mayor was seated and wearing his chain of office, Stewart named Coun. Norma McColeman deputy mayor.
“It’s an honour. It’s a real honour,”
she said. McColeman has been on council continuously since amalgamation in 1995, with the exception of one term from 2010 to 2014. Committee appointments were announced and distributed between new and returning councillors.
Two new committees were formed by Stewart.
The Policy and Bylaw Review Committee will go over the city’s bylaws and policies and bring any needing discussion to council. Stewart also formed a Planning Board Committee. “I believe we have a great group of councillors who can all do their jobs as chairs, no doubt in my mind,” said Stewart. Pastor Andrew Bryce blessed the incoming council with an invocation that included a plea to the Lord for a new diesel generator.
With the laughter came one clear “boo” and several stoic faces in the crowd. Replacement of the city’s aging backup generators has been a hot topic, especially after an Island-wide outage left much
of the city in the dark for hours last week. City staff distributed the limited electricity around the city a bit at a time. A thirdparty review of the best replacement option is expected this month.
“I think it was in there for a laugh, given all the storm stuff that just happened,” said firsttime councillor Doiron.
At three, the new council has the most women ever. “With every new council we’re certainly going to have to work together. Were really going to have to become cohesive and gel,” said McColeman.