Haldimand Council needs to work as a team to benefit the entire community, the new mayor said in her inaugural address.
The mayor and council were sworn in during a meeting on November 15.
“The people of Haldimand have spoken that they seek change,” said Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley, who defeated incumbent Ken Hewitt in the Oct. 24 municipal election. “As your mayor, I promise to work for a better future – one that makes sense for the community as a whole.”
Bentley said she is eager to be a strong advocate for Haldimand by working with council, the community, provincial and federal governments, and the Indigenous communities.
“By listening, communicating and welcoming your ideas, we can all make Haldimand County an even better place to live, work and play.”
She noted that council will need to examine ways to allow for future business development, schools, healthcare access, green spaces, and farmland by taking a close look at municipal infrastructure needs.
Returning to the council table are incumbents Stewart Patterson (acclaimed), John Metcalfe, Rob Shirton, and Dan Lawrence, who will be joined by newcomers Patrick O’Neill and Natalie Stam.
In her inaugural address Bentley promised to make municipal government “more inclusive, transparent, open, and accountable.”
“We have a mandate from our constituents to work as a team to bring their concerns to the table and act on them in a way that benefits the whole community.”
Council members will take part in a comprehensive orientation process followed by priority-setting sessions to determine objectives and key goals for council during the 2022-26 term.
The first council in committee meeting is slated for Tuesday, Dec. 6.
A full council meeting on Monday, Dec. 12 will be the last for the calendar year.