Coffin returns as deputy mayor

It was the end and the beginning.

The outgoing Port aux Basques Town Council met for the last time on Tuesday for a regular council meeting before the returning and new councillors were sworn in for the upcoming four-year term.

Deputy Mayor Chester Coffin will retain that position in the new council.

The former council dealt with the regular correspondence and reviewed committee reports from finance and human resources, recreation and economic development.

Before closing the meeting, Mayor Brian Button offered each councillor the opportunity to say something about the last four years.

Councillor Craig Carter said his term on council has been "an enjoyable four years." He wished the new council the best of luck for the upcoming term.

Councillor Jerome Battiste said he also enjoyed his first term on council, especially the conventions and meetings at which he learned a lot.

Deputy Mayor Chester Coffin commented that he is one of the longest serving councillors of the current group. He said he enjoyed working with the present council even though they hadn't always seen eye-to-eye.

He added that saying thank you wasn't sufficient to thank Town Clerk Donna Bragg for her assistance over the last term.

Councillor Bert Anderson, who joined council in a by-election, said he was only part of the current council for the last 18 months, but it was a very interesting time with lots of things happening. He said he thinks the next four years are going to be interesting for the new council and for Port aux Basques residents.

Councillor Cory Munden thanked the residents of the town for allowing him the opportunity to serve on council. He said the experience was challenging and rewarding and he learned a lot.

Coun. Munden said he is leaving with a different outlook on council and its operations. He added thanks to Mayor Button for his leadership.

Councillor Gerard Merrigan congratulated the members of the new council. He said serving on council was a rewarding experience but one that you get out what you put in.

Coun. Merrigan said even when the councillors disagreed, it was done with respect and professionalism that left no hard feelings. He also commended the town's staff for their support.

"I think we're going out on a good note and the new council is coming in on one," he said.

Mayor Button thanked the outgoing council and the town staff. He said even if residents don't always agree with every decision, "it's a job that people have entrusted to us."

After the final meeting for the former council concluded, returning councillors including Mayor Button and Coun. Battiste, Coun. Coffin and Coun. Anderson were sworn in again. They were joined by new councillors Aneitha Sheaves, Rick Farrell and Gary White, forming the new council.

Nominations were then called for the position of deputy mayor.

Coun. Anderson nominated Coun. Sheaves, who accepted. Coun. Sheaves nominated Coun. Coffin, who also accepted. Coun. White nominated Coun. Battiste, who accepted. Coun. Farrell nominated Coun. Anderson, who declined.

The councillors then voted. Although the number of votes were not revealed, Coun. Battiste and Coun. Coffin tied. As per the Municipalities Act, both names were then written on a piece of paper and the winner was drawn out of the ballot box.

As his name was drawn, Coun. Coffin was named deputy mayor.

editor@gulfnews.ca