The District of Lantzville saw three new faces swear an oath of office, administered by Judge Karen Whonnock, at the new council’s inaugural meeting yesterday.
Mayor Mark Swain and Coun. Ian Savage, incumbents from the previous term, are now accompanied by Coun. Jonathan Lerner, Coun. Joan Jones and Coun. Rachelle Mundell at the table for the next four years.
During the meeting Nov. 2 at Costin Hall, Snaw-Naw-As Chief Gordon Edwards said he looked forward to sitting down and touching base on shared community interests.
“Like yourselves, I love Lantzville. I don’t want to see it change, but we see change is coming … And what you want to do as a council is very much what we want to do for our community,” he said.
Savage and Swain thanked Edwards for his words and said they look forward to continuing the work between the communities.
“Changes can be great for a community – we have to make sure they’re good changes and ones that benefit us…” Savage said. adding that he is looking forward to new housing and interesting types of homes and housing.
“This is an important time, I believe, in Lantzville and hopefully the leadership you see in front of you … will carry forward and really develop the best Lantzville possible,” added Swain. “And also forge better relationships with our First Nations neighbours – it’s very very important to myself and I know it’s been something that’s very important to the youth in our community as well.”
Before the meeting adjourned, Swain was appointed as the director for the District of Lantzville on the Regional District of Nanaimo board, after being removed from that position by the previous council, and Savage will serve as the alternate. Lerner was appointed as the representative to serve on the Vancouver Island Regional Library board of trustees, with Jones as the alternate, until Dec. 31, 2023.
READ MORE: Lantzville citizens re-elect Swain and vote in a like-minded council
mandy.moraes@nanaimobulletin.com
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