Sunday, December 07, 2008

Port Edward council vows to work together


With a number of key issues on the mind of Port Edward residents, not the least of the need to keep their school open, Port Edward council met in their first session of the new council year.

The four councillors and Mayor for the district promised that they will put the best interests of their community forward as they deliberate on those issues that have held the communities interest over the last year.

The Daily News provided the details of that firs session in Thursday's paper.

Port Ed goes forward together
New council aims to work corroboratively on district's big issues
By Patrick Witwicki
The Daily News
Thursday, December 04, 2008

Pages one and three

It was the dawning of a new era in Port Edward, as the brand new council was sworn in at a special meeting Tuesday night inside council chambers.

Mayor Dave MacDonald was back for another term, as were councillors Murray Kristoff and James Brown, but new to the game this time are Knut Bjorndal and Dan Franzen.

After the swearing-in was complete, all members of council took the moment to speak about the significance of the night.

"It's a very important night for us all," said MacDonald, addressing one of the biggest crowds to assemble inside Port Edward chambers in quite a while.

"The priorities (still) are to make sure we have our school out here, and to maintain our waterlines, and to make sure we work together as a council. It's a very happy night in Port Edward."

All four councillors echoed MacDonald's statement, and promised the community that they will continue to work and push the future of Port Edward forward, with an eye on growth and development in the community.

"I'd like to welcome our new council," said Brown. "As Dave mentioned, we need to keep moving forward.

"And I'd like to thank the (district) staff for being there, and preparing stuff. If it wasn't for our supporting cast, we'd never be ready."

Kristoff added: "Thank you to all the voters, no matter who you voted for. We have a great team here."

Bjorndal seemed to sum up everyone's thoughts, as he gave a summary of what he would like to see this edition of the council achieve.

"What I'm looking forward to is that we move this district forward," Bjorndal said. "And (I'm determined that) what we leave is a legacy to our children, and those who come after us."
Bjorndal and Franzen have taken over for Christine MacKenzie and the late Ed Wampler.

MacKenzie ran for mayor, but lost out to MacDonald, while Wampler passed away in September.
In addition to the swearing-in ceremony, council outlined the schedule for acting mayors in case of an absence by MacDonald.

From January to the end of March, Kristoff will be deputy mayor; April to June, Brown will act as coverage; July to September, Bjorndal will step into the chair when needed, and finally, from October until the end of 2009, it will be Franzen's turn.

Kristoff meanwhile will now become Port Edward's representative on the Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District.

Mayor Dave MacDonald will remain on both the Northern Health Board and the NDI.

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