As did almost every municipal council in the province, Greenwood council met on Monday, Dec. 1 to hold their inaugural meeting of the newly elected mayor and council. Following the affirmation of the oath of office by mayor Ed Smith and councillors Nola Tutti, Darla Ashton, Colleen Lang and Lee Cudworth, council reviewed council appointments as well as appointment of CAO Robin Dalziel as approving officer and Public Works Superintendent Randy Smith as the deputy approving officer. Dalziel will also be the Freedom of Information contact.
The newly elected mayor, serving his first term in politics, made a statement that began with a welcome to those in attendance and thank you to councillor Barry Noll and mayor Nipper Kettle for their service and dedication. “You did make a positive difference,” Smith said.
“My priorities are clear,” Smith added, “openness with transparency, cost control, job creation, are all words that come into play, but the main thing is simple. Greenwood is a beautiful city. Make the City of Greenwood a place where people want to move to, and stay, with pride.”
He said this pride would increase the population, make for more jobs, and attract and sustain businesses. He pledged to “use our resources more effectively.”
“Greenwood is unique with the new and the old, we must protect our heritage, we must also accept change in our community.” He pledged to build community spirit; to talk and listen for advice, from citizens and businesses; work on short-term and long-term planning; and find ways to welcome new citizens and new businesses.
“The challenge we face as council must also include city staff and public works, we must work closely with their needs to create a team,” Smith added. “We as council must understand their jobs to make the team function.
“As a team Greenwood will be a city that works in harmony, and knows where it is going. This will promote a safe and vibrant community where senior feel safe and secure and children can laugh and play without fear.”
In tabling the committee appointments, Smith said, “If you see anything you would like changed we can do that for next meeting. This is going to get it started.”
Smith, with Tutti as alternate, was appointed for a four-year term ending November of 2018 to the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary board, including the Boundary Economic Development Committee and the West Kootenay Boundary Regional District Hospital Board.
Appointments for a one year are:
Greenwood Community Association: Nola Tutti
Greenwood Heritage Society: Lee Cudworth
Board of Trade: Darla Ashton
Greenwood Public Library: Lee Cudworth
Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department: Colleen Lang
RDKB Cemetery Committee: Colleen Lang
Greenwood Economic Development Committee: Ed Smith
Heritage Development Organization: Ed Smith
Boundary Country Regional Chamber of Commerce: Darla Ashton
Boundary Invasive Species Society: Colleen Lang
Council also approved motions designating authority for credit cards and cheque signing.
Jim Nathorst offered congratulations to the new mayor and council on behalf of the Greenwood Board of Trade. Nathorst also serves as chair of the Greenwood Economic Development Committee and told Smith that he would sit on that committee as well.