Smithers officially has a new council.
The new council, elected on Oct. 17, took their Oaths of Office and were sworn in at Town Hall Tuesday evening during the Inaugural Meeting of Council by Judge Megan Olson.
After new Mayor John Buikema was sworn in, he gave a speech thanking former mayor Gladys Atrill for her time in the chair.
“Mayor Atrill has been an incredible ambassador for the Town of Smithers, the town she proudly calls her home,” Buikema said. “We will miss her gift of leadership, her wisdom, and the many ways she showed concern for others.”
Buikema also spoke about what he hopes to see in the years ahead.
“As I think of the four years that lie ahead for us as council, I am very excited to move the library project further along,” Buikema said. “I have spoken to many residents who are looking forward to the new location and the safe access it will provide.”
Following Buikema’s inaugural address, there was some business to attend to, including appointing a deputy mayor and members to sit on various committees.
After the meeting was adjourned, Mark Perry performed his song This Town, followed by a meet-and-greet with the new mayor and council.
An inaugural meeting was also held in Houston and Burns Lake which saw Mayors Shane Brienen and Charles Rensby respectively, and their councils take their Oaths of Office.
The inaugural meeting of Granisle’s council will be held on Wednesday, and Telkwa’s will be held on Monday.
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