A new era has begun in the Town of Bridgewater.
David Mitchell was sworn-in as mayor taking over from David Walker, who gave an emotional send-off after 25 years in municipal politics.
.@CommonSenseNS sworn in as mayor of @TownBridgewater pic.twitter.com/9kQf0upcfl
— CKBW Radio (@ckbwradio) November 7, 2016
Mitchell then accepted the chain of office from Walker and took his seat in council chambers.
Mitchell says he’s excited for the next four years and commended Walker and the previous council for their work.
“The town has been set up for success by the last council and David Walker did a fantastic job as mayor to get us on the right track and I hope to continue that.”
Mitchell announced the creation of a youth and young adult committee to try and get them more engaged in the town.
The previous council unanimously agreed to pursue a judicial review of the South Shore Regional School Board’s decision to send senior students from Bridgewater to Park View.
Mitchell was mum on the issue.
“We are in the middle of filing our application to the Supreme Court, so based on advice from our solicitor I can’t comment on anything.”
Mitchell says he is looking forward to a meeting with the school board in the next few weeks.
Elsewhere, Cheryl Fougere was one of six councillors also sworn-in.
Cheryl Fougere is now a councillor in the @TownBridgewater pic.twitter.com/vvPiQq5Ox7
— CKBW Radio (@ckbwradio) November 7, 2016
Andrew Tanner was also chosen as deputy mayor by his fellow council members.
Tanner says he was pleasantly surprised.
“Quite honoured to be selected among council as deputy mayor and looking forward to all the challenges and supporting the mayor in his capacity.”
New deputy mayor and mayor of .@TownBridgewater @Andrewjtanner and @CommonSenseNS pic.twitter.com/YZmMQU4osD
— CKBW Radio (@ckbwradio) November 7, 2016
Jennifer McDonald and Michael Graves were also nominated for the deputy mayor position.
Graves was eliminated after the first vote while McDonald and Tanner were tied following a second vote.
A third and final vote was needed by council before Tanner was declared deputy mayor.
Tanner was first elected in 2012 before he was re-elected last month.
The town also gave parting gifts to Walker and Sandra Mailman, who did not re-offer for a position on council.
@TownBridgewater recognizes outgoing mayor David Walker for his quarter century on council pic.twitter.com/AN7QvPmMrw
— CKBW Radio (@ckbwradio) November 7, 2016
