It was out with the old guard and in with the new at the Dec. 5 regular meeting of council in Keremeos.
Outgoing Mayor Walter Despot and retiring councillor Ed Minshull both issued thank yous and congratulations as they relinquished their duties and prepared to hand over the reins to the new council and mayor.
The two council members represented a total of 19 1/2 years of collective experience on Keremeos council. Mayor Despot noted that the village had one of the best health care infrastructures in the province, and was an example of “one stop” for medical services that could be made available in a small community. He also advised new council that some upcoming challenges for them would include tight money, downloading of responsibility from higher levels of government, and financing of water and sewer infrastructure improvements required in years to come.
Gift presentations of a plaque were also made to Minshull and Despot.
Following the new council’s oaths of office, Mayor Bauer delivered his inaugural address, beginning by thanking the civic minded residents who took the time to vote.
He noted that the new council had taken the time to knock on a lot of doors during the election, and promised to take the suggestions and input gathered during the campaign and consider them in council’s decision making process.
Bauer also indicated a desire to reach out to all residents, inviting even those outside of the village to “participate in the larger community.”
He noted that council had much to do to continue to provide safe, secure streets with ample amenities in the village.
The remainder of the meeting dealt with appointments of council members to various committees and duties for the next year.
As is protocol, Mayor Bauer will act as the Village representative on the regional district board, with Councillor Thielmann acting as alternate. Councillor Thielmann will also be the Okanagan Regional Library representative, with Councillor Arlow acting as alternate.
Outgoing Mayor Walter Despot and retiring councillor Ed Minshull both issued thank yous and congratulations as they relinquished their duties and prepared to hand over the reins to the new council and mayor.
The two council members represented a total of 19 1/2 years of collective experience on Keremeos council. Mayor Despot noted that the village had one of the best health care infrastructures in the province, and was an example of “one stop” for medical services that could be made available in a small community. He also advised new council that some upcoming challenges for them would include tight money, downloading of responsibility from higher levels of government, and financing of water and sewer infrastructure improvements required in years to come.
Gift presentations of a plaque were also made to Minshull and Despot.
Following the new council’s oaths of office, Mayor Bauer delivered his inaugural address, beginning by thanking the civic minded residents who took the time to vote.
He noted that the new council had taken the time to knock on a lot of doors during the election, and promised to take the suggestions and input gathered during the campaign and consider them in council’s decision making process.
Bauer also indicated a desire to reach out to all residents, inviting even those outside of the village to “participate in the larger community.”
He noted that council had much to do to continue to provide safe, secure streets with ample amenities in the village.
The remainder of the meeting dealt with appointments of council members to various committees and duties for the next year.
As is protocol, Mayor Bauer will act as the Village representative on the regional district board, with Councillor Thielmann acting as alternate. Councillor Thielmann will also be the Okanagan Regional Library representative, with Councillor Arlow acting as alternate.