Last night at town hall, a new council and mayor were sworn in to serve for the next four years in Sackville. A small group of staff and supporters gathered in council chambers to witness the ceremony, and the event was livestreamed online.
Hear highlights of the ceremony as reported on Tantramar Report:
CAO Jamie Burke was on hand to offer certificates to those leaving council this year, including retired mayor John Higham, retired councillor Joyce Neill, and former deputy mayor Ron Aiken.
Aiken was invited to make some opening remarks at the ceremony. He thanked former mayor John Higham for his help as Aiken took over mayoral duties upon Higham’s retirement. He also thanked Joyce O’Neill, and the town’s staff.
“People don’t realize it, but this is a very hardworking, dedicated group of people that we’re quite privileged to have,” said Aiken. “Thanks for everything you do. I know you all work harder and more effectively than a lot of people realize.”
After joking that his previous colleagues “will ignore me anyway”, Aiken addressed the three new councillors in the room, Sabine Dietz, Matt Estabrooks, and Ken Hicks.
“This can be very difficult job to do,” said Aiken. “Please remember to take the job seriously, but not yourself seriously. You are but one voice in a town of 5000. So it’s a good thing to stay humble with this.”
Aiken offered his help in the transition, particularly with issues involving the town’s relationship with the province. “In the meantime,” he said, “I will content myself the hard work of being retired. Thank you.”
CAO Jaime Burke said a few words about John Higham, who received a certificate marking his four and a half years as mayor, as well as four years as councillor.
Burke specifically mentioned Hingham’s work on strengthening the town’s relationship with Mount Allison, supporting the Lorne Street stormwater project, pushing for federal and provincial funding for a Chignecto Isthmus study, his advocacy on the Sackville Memorial Hospital, his work with the COVID-19 task force, and establishing the Mayor’s Roundtable on Climate Change, which Burke said is the “first that we’re aware of in the country.”
Burke also noted some of the achievements of Joyce O’Neill, who retired in the fall of 2020. “During her time on Council, Joyce was the champion of various projects and activities, including a big promoter and supporter of the renovations to the Bill Johnstone Memorial Park, the construction of this beautiful facility that we’re in tonight, various improvements to Memorial Park, fundraising for Civic Centre,” said Burke.
“I don’t know how many antique car shows she’s organized,” Burke continued. “She’s helped establish our very own and very special ukulele program, which I understand gets great acoustics in the CAOs office. And pre-COVID times, she has cut more cake than a baker, and I know she has served more hotdogs and they do at a Jays game.”
After the ceremonies concluded, clerk Donna Beal turned the meeting over to the newly sworn in Mayor of Sackville, Shawn Mesheau, who asked the new council to prioritize citizen engagement, collaboration and compromise.
“With a newly elected mayor and council, expectations will be high,” said Mesheau. “There will be some tough decisions, and not every expectation will be realized. I’m asking council to keep front of mind that you need to consider the welfare and interest of the entire community when making decisions.”
“This will require you to engage well beyond your existing circle of family, friends and acquaintances,” said Mesheau. “Citizen engagement will be key to our growth as a community. Understanding, collaboration and compromise will not just be words we use, they will be what we do as a council.”
The new mayor and council will have their first regular meeting next week, on June 14.