Richmond Hill council takes oath

By Adam Mc Lean | December 7, 2010

It’s official.

Your elected municipal officials were sworn-in last night at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, each one taking an oath to loyally and honestly serve you for the next four years.

Declarations of office were administered by Hon. Justice Joseph F. Kenkel for Mayor Dave Barrow, then both regional councillors, Vito Spatafora and Brenda Hogg, followed by the six ward councillors, which were done at the same time.

Following the declarations, Mr. Barrow was presented with his chain of office and speeches ensued.
The evening took on the feel of an award show with each council member thanking their families and election campaign team members.

Held on the theatre’s centre stage, the teleprompter flashed a “wrap it up” message when plaudits and speeches lasted more than five minutes.

Fittingly, five minutes is the same time limit delegates may speak when addressing councillors in council chambers.

Along with their words of thanks, some councillors offered previews of their plans and how they will serve during the four-year term, which officially started Dec. 1.

Mr. Barrow unveiled three new town task forces that will involve citizen participants: A library and cultural task force, An economic strategy group and A civic centre area task force.

The latter will focus on a topic championed by several councillors, building a new town hall or a dedicated civic facility at the southwest corner of Yonge Street and Major Mackenzie Drive.

Further work to ensure the protection of the David Dunlap Observatory property was also noted as a key focus for council, as was a need for further lobbying to have the Yonge Street subway extended north.
Ward 5 Councillor Nick Papa said he would like to see the line extended far north as Elgin Mills Road.
Not all speeches were positive.

Ward 1 Councillor Greg Beros tore a strip off of one Oak Ridges election opponent, saying verbal attacks against his family during the campaign were unacceptable.

The two new kids on the block — Ward 2 Councillor Carmine Perrelli and Ward 3’s Castro Liu — proclaimed their dedication to their new positions, while expressing a willingness to learn and serve residents.

Mr. Perrelli jokingly ignored teleprompter warnings to shorten his speech — his first display of being “a strong voice for the people”, he said.

The theatre’s main hall was filled primarily with town staff, family members and former and current politicians.

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