White sworn in as mayor
WESTVILLE, N.S. — Lennie White was officially sworn in as Westville’s new mayor on Nov. 25.
“I am both humbled and honoured to become your mayor,” he told about 35 people in attendance, as he read from a prepared speech.
“I consider it a privilege to take on a role held by many distinguished former mayors of this town.”
He thanked former mayor Roger MacKay and councillors Lynn MacDonald, Charlie Sutherland and Bernie Murphy for working with him in the past and noted that, with a new police chief coming on board in January (longtime Westville police officer Howie Dunbar will replace the retiring Don Hussher), a new recreation and culture position to be filled in the new year and the recent addition of CAO Linda Brown, there is some fresh blood in Westville.
White pointed out the yearlong strip mining controversy created some divisions in the town. Council rescinded its motion last month to allow Pioneer Coal a chance to do some coal mine exploration in the Cowan Street area.
“It is, in my opinion, the first issue our new council must deal with. The first step is to acknowledge that it exists and indicate we welcome the opinions of all people and provide opportunities for these opinions to be presented,” he said. “It is a cliche to say we are stronger united than we are divided, but it is true and worth repeating.”
White, the only one who ran for the mayor’s post, said he will call a public meeting early in the new year to seek input from citizens on the town’s future.
In addition to those public meetings, he intends to hold weekly open-door sessions at the mayor’s office at town hall, Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and again from 1 to 3 p.m. The first will be Dec. 4.
“We will strive for openness and transparency in all actions of council,” White said. “Open communication and information is, I believe, key to positive community engagement.”