KAREN BEST
Dec 06, 2006
Chronicle
While the ink was drying on official declarations of office, Mayor Marie Trainer challenged council to work as a team to move Haldimand County into a brighter future.
In her inaugural address, she called upon councillors to change a county-wide perception about discord on council.
"I challenge you to look for positive change, positive attitudes that will move Haldimand County into the 21st century," she said.
With a new attitude conveyed by council, it will have the ability to move the county forward, said Trainer. In this term of office, she said she wants the planning process back on track and red-carpet treatment for existing businesses that are expanding.
The mayor also said expeditious planning processes are essential to make it easier for new businesses to set up shop in the county.
Trainer then urged senior managers and council to seek advice from county staff members who have good ideas that should be pursued. Before products or equipment is purchased for a department, staff who use them should be consulted, she said.
"I challenge this new council to talk to our employees who love our county and want it to be better," she said.
Purchasing locally has long been an interest for Trainer. She said staff have advised council that it cannot be prejudiced toward local businesses for tenders or quotes for service. Even so, local businesses must at least be asked, she said. They pay taxes, hire residents and support other businesses.
In concluding her address, Trainer kept her eye on the future.
"I look forward to working with (council) over the next four years and beyond," she said.
Monday's inaugural ceremony began with an appropriate air of decorum. A piper marched council members into the chambers. Ontario Superior Court of Justice Judge David Marshall began the official business on Monday night with Mayor Trainer's declaration of office and investiture of the chain of office.
Leroy Bartlett, Lorne Boyko, Tony Dalimonte, Craig Grice, Don Ricker and Buck Sloat then clasped burgundy Bibles in their right hands while declaring their oaths of office in unison. All seven council members signed their declarations of office under Marshall's watchful eye.
In her address, Trainer thanked her campaign workers and family for their support. She made special mention of Don Forbes who was escorted off Caledonia's Sixth Line beside the site occupied by some Six Nations members. He persevered because these Haldimand residents should get the same literature as others in the county did, she said.
In the business section of the meeting, the new council unanimously voted in Sloat as deputy mayor. In this role, he will represent the county at functions the mayor cannot attend. In Trainer's absence, he will step in as the municipality's chief executive officer and will be responsible for any declarations of states of emergencies among other duties.
Council also selected chairs and vice-chairs for business sections at council in committee meetings.
Boyko and Grice were named to the Grand River Conservation Authority and Bartlett and Sloat will serve on the Long Point Conservation Authority. Dalimonte will represent the county on the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. Trainer will Sloat will continue to sit on the board of Haldimand County Utilities Inc. Trainer and Boyko will serve on the county police services board.
On the environmental side of business, Bartlett will sit on the Tom Howe citizen liaison committee, Boyko will continue as a member of the Mosaic Esterhazy committee and Trainer will stay on the Hamilton airport noise management advisory committee.
This year the Ontario government established the Caledonia Douglas Creek Estates Liaison committee. New council member Grice will join Trainer and Boyko on this body. Boyko and Ricker will be members of the Grandview Lodge redevelopment committee and Sloat will continue on the Toronto Motorsports advisory committee, which will be reviewed to see if it is still necessary.