A new era will officially begin tonight for Chatham-Kent.
The new municipal council will be sworn in at an event at the St. Clair College Capitol Theatre and the councillors will immediately assume their official responsibilities.
“I’m excited about the process, it is the final process that makes us official,” said Carmen McGregor, council elect in Wallaceburg. “I’ve been very busy since the election, just in training and so forth and I’m anxious to get going. Tonight is that night that says, here you go, it’s time to get busy and go to work.
McGregor added: “There are a whole bunch on feelings, it’s kind of like graduation day, when you’re going to graduate high school or getting ready for a wedding day. It’s one of those special days, it means a lot to me.”
McGregor is one of six newcomers to Chatham-Kent council, as Mark Authier (who owns the Instant Print Shoppe in Wallaceburg) will represent West Kent, David Vandamme will represent East Kent, Trevor Thompson will represent South Kent and Brock McGregor and Darrin Caniff will represent Chatham.
McGregor said the training she and the other councillors received after the election truly opened her eyes.
“I think the shear size and the scope of all the different departments and areas in the Municipality… there are so many different areas and that in itself is a major learning process for me,” she said. “Although I have that experience with the school board, it is not the same as getting to know and understand all the different areas of the Municipality.”
McGregor added: “We’ve done the strategic planning, but we’ve done lots of other things just doing the tours and meeting people and department heads and getting some budget orientation to understand how to look at the budget. We’ve also had some meetings and discussion about things that are coming up. I was at a Chamber luncheon recently, which talked about the economic benefits in finding work outside of Chatham-Kent and bringing in to Chatham-Kent… investigating our markets in Europe and Asia.”
Wallaceburg Coun. Jeff Wesley said he is looking forward to working with McGregor, and the rest of the new council.
“Very interested to see the new ideas and thinking that the six new members of council bring,” Wesley said. “I knew Sheldon (Parsons) from back when I was mayor and we got along very well. I have known Carmen and her brother, who was my best friend, even longer since we were in grade school at D.A. Gordon and I know we will work together well also… in fact we already are.
Wesley said the budget will be tough once again.
“As it every year, and it will be a test for the new council,” he said. “My main priority right now is the Stonehouse Walkway and the local water issue.”
North Kent councillors Leon Leclair and Joe Faas will officially be sworn back in once again, as will incumbent Mayor Randy Hope, and councillors Bryon Fluker, Frank Vercouteren, Karen Herman, Steve Pinsonneault, Doug Sulman, Michael Bondy, Derek Robertson and Bob Myers.
The meeting starts at 6 p.m.
