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Lantzville holds its first meeting with a new mayor and council

Mayor Mark Swain took the oath of office on Monday in the District of Lantzville
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Newly minted Lantzville mayor, Mark Swain, left, sits beside newly elected councillor Ian Savage during the inaugural council meeting on Monday night at Costin Hall. (NICHOLAS PESCOD/NEWS BULLETIN)

It’s a new era for the District of Lantzville.

Mayor Mark Swain along with councillors Jamie Wilson, Karen Proctor, Ian Savage and Will Geselbracht were officially inaugurated at a special council meeting on Monday night at Costin Hall.

During Monday’s meeting, the mayor and councillors took the oath of office while Swain’s daughter performed the national anthem to a crowd of more than 50 people. There was also a performance by the Tidesmen Choir.

Swain told the crowd he was looking forward to working with everyone on council over the next four years and thanked his family members for their support. He also thanked outgoing mayor Colin Haime and outgoing councillors Bob Colclough, Dot Neary, John Coulson and Denise Haime for their service to the community.

“I would like to extend a thank you and acknowledge and recognize the service those individuals have put forth,” he said.

Swain won the mayor’s seat after beating out Colclough and local businessman Stan Pottie. Swain becomes the third mayor in the district’s history after Haime, who served from 2003-2011 and 2014-2018, and Jack de Jong, who served from 2011-2014.

Following Swain’s speech, each member of council gave a brief statement. Coun. Ian Savage said while he is looking forward to working with everyone, there will be changes.

“Let’s hope altogether that they are good changes that we can all get behind,” he said.

Coun. Jamie Wilson said he’s excited to represent Lantzville for the next four years. He also thanked his family and parents for their support.

Meanwhile, incumbent Coun. Will Geselbracht said he is looking forward to working with the new council, adding that he believes the group will be able to work well together.

“We will be able to make the decisions, the hard ones, to move ahead the agenda of this town and help make Lantzville a better place to live,” he said.

Although the meeting was mainly a ceremony, the new council also voted on a few items. Councillors voted unanimously in favour of appointing Swain as the district’s municipal director for the Regional District of Nanaimo’s board, while Savage was named as an alternate.

Councillors also voted unanimously in favour of requiring staff to apply for a grant from Investing in Canada Infrastructure program in order to fund the expansion of the Clark Drive area water system project.

Speaking to the News Bulletin afterward, Swain said the first meeting went really well, even though he was dealing with a cold. He said he really likes the make-up of the current council and believes members can work together in a positive manner.

“I think we can work collaboratively and co-operatively and make things happen in Lantzville,” he said.

READ ALSO: Nanaimo’s new mayor and council sworn in

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nicholas.pescod@nanaimobulletin.com 
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