Past GTA leaders assist Disero to open ‘new chapter’ in NOTL
Former mayors Hazel McCallion and Barbara Hall on hand
More than 500 people came out to the Shaw Festival Theatre Monday for the inaugural meeting of the new Niagara-on-the-Lake town council, including former Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion and a previous Toronto mayor, Barbara Hall.
The two women were invited by Lord Mayor Betty Disero, who served on Toronto city council from 1985 to 2003, before moving to Niagara-on-the-Lake six years later.
The newly-elected council was led to the stage by the fife and drum corps presented by Parks Canada. Jazz duo Juliet Dunn and Peter Shea performed the national anthem and “God Save the Queen.”
“I am so excited to be here tonight,” Disero told the crowd after councillors were sworn in, calling the next term of council “a new chapter for Niagara-on-the-Lake.”
Disero referred to the community as “the most unique, most amazing and most livable town in Canada.”
“What type of community do we want Niagara-on-the-Lake to be?” was the common theme she said she heard from people of all ages and backgrounds throughout the town during the election campaign.
Disero said with a growing population, now standing at 18,000, there comes new challenges and council will need to have the courage to take a stand on many issues.
She highlighted three of those issues — sustainable neighbourhoods, development and town finances.
Disero wants to see neighbourhoods remain friendly places to live as they continue to grow. She encouraged more residents to get involved in the various unique issues in each area.
“Otherwise we risk becoming another bedroom suburb,” Disero warned.
“We all know development has been a hot topic … for the last 10 years or so,” she said.
Disero stressed that the new official plan must get completed soon so council can plan for balanced growth.
As for the town’s finances, she said council will be facing some tough decisions as municipal reserves are being depleted. At the same time, Disero said property taxes must be spent wisely and with accountability.
She said she welcomes input and feedback from residents to ensure a strong financial future for the municipality and to help decide what the town’s vision will be.
“Niagara-on-the-Lake is one community,” Disero said. “We will find common ground. We are all on the same team.”
Terry Flynn was the only member of the last council in attendance at the meeting aside from John Wiens, who was re-elected. Flynn received a plaque from the town for his 21 years of service as a councillor.
Newly- elected regional Coun. Gary Zalepa Jr. also attended the inauguration.
The first meeting of the new council is next Monday at the town hall.