Change, growth on agenda for new East Gwillimbury council

New ward system, 7 councillors part of change at East Gwillimbury council

Yorkregion.com
December 6, 2018
Amanda Persico

Change is in the air for East Gwillimbury.

That was the first and only thing on the agenda during the inaugural meeting the town’s newly council.

Growth is coming and in many parts of the town it’s already arrived. The town welcomed more than 6,000 new residents over the past two years, said Mayor Virginia Hackson. And the town’s is expected to see another 6,000 new residents in years to come.

“This is history in the making,” said the mayor during her inaugural address.

“During these next four years, we will be changing our landscape. We’ve known about growth for 25 years. Now, we’re in the middle of it.

"We can see the changes.”

Change will be the town’s greatest opportunity and its biggest challenge, she added.

Instead of five seats, there are now seven seats around the council table.

Another change is the newly adopted ward system, with two councillors representing Holland Landing, two representing the Sharon/Queensville area and two representing Mount Albert.

“This is the first time there is a ward system and the first time there are seven people here to govern,” said the town’s CAO and inaugural meeting MC Tom Webster.

Webster referenced a plaque found at Southlake Regional Health Centre that reads “Tradition is cherished. Change is welcome.”

“That’s the theme for the 2018-2022 term,” he said.

East Gwillimbury’s new council is comprised of third-time Mayor Virginia Hackson, councillors Loralea Carruthers and Terry Foster for the Ward 1 Holland Landing area, councillors Tara Roy-DiClemente and Joe Persechini for the Ward 2 Queensville/Sharon area and Scott Crone and Cathy Morton for the Ward 3 Mount Albert area.

“During the election, there was a focus on wards,” said longtime councillor Cathy Morton who was voted back to council after a four-year hiatus.

“We were elected as wards. But we are here to build a community.”

The mayor was sworn in, presented with the town’s chain of office and given a new handcrafted, wooden gavel made by a longtime resident Herold Brown.

Following the chain of office ceremony, councillors were collectively sworn-in and proceeded to thank their family, friends, campaign supporters and residents.