Duane Hicks
The inaugural meeting of Fort Frances town council for the 2010-14 term was held yesterday evening at the Civic Centre.
Mayor Roy Avis, along with Couns. John Albanese, Andrew Hallikas, Ken Perry, Paul Ryan, Sharon Tibbs, and Rick Wiedenhoeft, were sworn in by Justice of the Peace Pat Clysdale-Cornell.
“It is great to see all of council return by acclamation,” Mayor Avis said in his inaugural address.
“This can be taken two different ways, one being complacency by the electorate or the other, by the job we have done,” Mayor Avis noted.
“I want to believe it’s the latter.
“Fort Frances is the gateway to the north, situated on picturesque Rainy Lake, and is the hub of the Rainy River District,” the mayor continued.
“This council will accept the responsibilities of the job in an open and transparent and professional manner.
“We will not govern in the interest of special interest groups, but for the majority of citizens—basically, what is good for Fort Frances,” Mayor Avis pledged.
The mayor noted the 2011 budget, infrastructure, assisted living housing, and the doctor shortage are among the top priorities for council right now.
He also said council will focus on economic development, and continue to lobby senior levels of government for funding for projects and for municipalities to have more control over taxation.
The mayor appointed Coun. Sharon Tibbs as deputy mayor for a second term, then appointed councillors to serve on the town’s numerous boards, committees, and commissions.
Refreshments were served in the committee room downstairs at the Civic Centre afterwards.
Declaration of Office
The Declaration of Elected Office the mayor and council takes when being sworn in is as follows:
“I, _______________, having been elected to the office of mayor/councillor in the Municipality of the Town of Fort Frances, do solemnly promise and declare that:
“I will truly, faithfully and impartially exercise this office to the best of my knowledge and ability.
“I have not received and will not receive any payment or reward, or promise thereof, for the exercise of this office in a biased, corrupt or in any other improper manner.
“I will disclose any pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, in accordance with the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
“I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.
“And I make this solemn promise and declaration conscientiously believing it to be true and knowing that it is of the same force and effect as if made under oath.”
