News Leader News for December 09, 2008
COUNCIL APPROVES WORK PORTFOLIOS
At the inaugural meeting of Town Council, held December 1, committees were assigned for 2009. All members of Council will deal with finance, bylaws, economic development, rezoning, land acquisition and subdivision, industrial park, Princeton & District Community Forest Corporation, animal and pest control and drug control.
Mayor Randy McLean takes on transportation, personnel and safety, Regional District Director, Princeton Emergency Program, Princeton & District Skills Centre Alternate 1, Police, Okanagan Regional Library alternate, CAPE, Princeton Airport, Princeton Health Committee, Similkameen Valley Planning Society, and will serve as alternate on Municipal Insurance Association.
Councillor Frank Armitage will be Deputy Mayor for 2009, and will be responsible for the Water Portfolio, airport, fire department, Skills Centre alternate 2, Chamber of Commerce, and Princeton Museum.
Councillor Jason Earle holds the Sewer Portfolio, Landfill and Solid Waste, and is Council's liaison person for Vermilion Trails Society, Arena and Recreation Board, Princeton Exhibition Association, Princeton Fall Fair Association, Rodeo Club and Racing Days Association.
Councillor Marilyn Harkness is Council's representative on Okanagan Regional Library Board, Southern Interior Local Government Association, Skills Centre, Princeton Health Committee and Municipal Insurance Association.
Councillor Ray Jarvis is Regional District Director alternate, and alternate to Similkameen Valley Planning Society. He is Council's Liaison to Princeton Arts Council, Princeton Accessibility Awareness, and Princeton Child and Youth Committee. Princeton Cemetery is his portfolio, and he is on the following committees: landfill and solid waste, airport, emergency program.
NEW COUNCIL TAKES OFFICE
In a short ceremony at the Skills Centre, lawyer Stan Turner witnessed the oath of office of the newly elected members of Princeton Town Council. Turner has sworn in new Town Councils a number of times, and said, at the conclusion, what an honour it is for him to conduct this ceremony, and added commendation to members of Council for standing for public office.
Following the ceremony, Mayor Randy McLean took the time to express his sadness at the death of former Mayor Gloria Stout. With obvious emotion, Mayor McLean said, "I worked with her a number of years. We used to call her a bulldog. When she set her teeth into something, she didn't quit Otil it was accomplished."
Mayor McLean then made a speech expressing his confidence in the new Council, saying, "The group contains the essentials of expertise, enthusiasm, energy, an intent to work together, and most importantly, a desire to serve the community that elected them and a desire to build a better tomorrow for Princeton. I am absolutely convinced they will more than justify the trust that has been placed in them."
He added praise for Town staff and crew, commending their loyalty to the people of Princeton.
The mayor included community leaders in his prognosis for a successful term of office. He referred to "the leaders and volunteers in our midst who turn limited funding and resources into triumphant projects and events that are essential to any thriving community."
Mayor McLean challenged everyone to contribute to the success of Council through public input, participation and working together.
Councillor Frank Armitage, on behalf of the Councillors, responded by assuring Mayor McLean the new Councillors hope to bring something special to Council in this term.
STUDENTS CHALLENGE COUNCIL
Three students from Vermilion Forks Elementary School brought their project to the attention of Town Council on December 1. Daniel Crosby, Austin Knopf and Charlie Allison are leaders in a Superheroes Campaign as part of a student leadership program.
The project is raising money for BC Children's Hospital, and they challenged Town Council to hold one meeting a month wearing a hat or jeans, and pay one dollar each for the privilege.
Council accepted the challenge, but Town Administrative Officer Patrick Robins upped the ante by saying Town Hall staff would wear casual clothing one day a week and would pay five dollars.
It looked like it might become a bidding war, but Mayor McLean said, "They get paid more than we do."
Mayor McLean commended the students on their project and thanked them for coming to challenge Council.
