The new and returning members of North Battleford city council have been sworn in.
Monday's first meeting of the new term at City Hall was ceremonial in nature, with Judge Lorna Dyck of North Battleford Provincial Court conducting the swearing in of Mayor Ian Hamilton and council members before a packed gallery of family members, friends and supporters.
It was an especially eventful night for the three newest councillors Ryan Bater, Cathy Richardson and Greg Lightfoot, all of whom took the oath of office and sat at the council table for the first time.
Also taking the oath were Trent Houk, Don Buglas, Ray Fox and Mayor Ian Hamilton, who afterwards gave his opening address to the new council.
"We are all here for the same reason," said Hamilton. We want a community for tomorrow that is even better than the community of today. That requires vision, leadership and commitment. And I believe these qualities are present at this very table right now and I look forward to our next four years together serving all the citizens of North Battleford to the best of our abilities."
Immediately after the mayor's remarks, the first motion of the new council term was made by Councillor Trent Houk - a motion to adjourn the meeting. That passed unanimously.
Afterwards, the three newest councillors spoke of their pride and excitement at being sworn into office for the first time in front of their family members, while also acknowledging the challenges of getting up to speed on procedures.
Bater called his swearing in a "very humbling experience," and added "I don't think anything in my life could have prepared me for what I just did. The oath I swore was something I take very seriously and was glad to do."
"It was very exciting," said Lightfoot. "It's taken some time to sink in (about) the position I'm going to hold here, but I'm really looking forward to working with the City (and) citizens of the community and help make some decisions to move the city forward."
"It's wonderful to have the opportunity to serve the community of North Battleford," said Richardson. "I look forward to it so much and now we can get on with the business. We've started talking about a few things and now we can roll up our sleeves and jump into the work."
While the new councillors have been busy orienting themselves with their new roles, Mayor Hamilton has been busy getting up to speed on the new councillors.
Hamilton said he's met with each of them and had informal chats "to explore each others' desires and wishes and their objectives," he said.
He said three new councillors will "bring new ideas and new energies to council, so we start work tomorrow."
Hamilton plans to put what he's learned during his first term as mayor into practice for a second term "and be a better leader and facilitator to this council," he said.
