North Bay’s newly elected City Council has been sworn in.
“This Council is engaged and excited to move the city forward.”
Those were the words Saturday morning of Mayor Al McDonald as he took the oath and began his third term. He spoke to a packed Council Chambers, repeating the promise to grow the city that dominated his mayoral campaign — and a press conference to introduce the chairs of the committees last week at City Hall.
It is evident that McDonald will lean heavily on Deputy Mayor Tanya Vrebosch this term. He said the two had been meeting since the Tuesday following the election. Tanya Vrebosch also serves as the budget chief.
“To be clear, I, the deputy mayor, and the majority of council members ran on the mandate of growth and growing our city, and that will be the focus of this term,” said McDonald.
The mayor had an interesting piece of advice for the council neophytes. “Develop elephant skin. Because you’re going to need it,” said McDonald in reference to the public scorn faced by some elected officials.
Council will hold its first regular meeting in chambers Tuesday at 6:30pm, the first for newcomers Johanne Brousseau, Scott Robertson and Marcus Tignanelli.
Sitting to the immediate right of the deputy mayor is rookie Councillor Bill Vrebosch. Tuesday will also be his first meeting as part of North Bay Council after years of service in East Ferris.
For Councillor Dave Mendicino, it’s a fresh start after sitting out one term and being returned by voters to serve until 2022.
McDonald said the councillors-elect have been briefed on all files and are ready to hit the ground running as the budget process unfolds and committee meetings begin in earnest.
Besides the mayor and deputy mayor, returning councillors include Chris Mayne, Mike Anthony, Mac Bain and Mark King.
