With the first two years of the current four-year council term almost completed, local legislators voted on Monday, Nov. 17 to install new committee chairs for its five standing committees. All five committees — finance, administration and policy; roads and public works; recreation and culture; planning and economic development and the fire committee — all experienced changes in leadership.

“Because the current council term is four years as opposed to three years, we thought it was best to look at changing committee chairs at the two-year mark,” explained Mississippi Mills Mayor Al Lunney prior to voting taking place.

Town clerk Cindy Halcrow explained that any councillor could nominate one of his or her peers for the position of committee chair and that they could nominate themselves. After nominations closed, those who had been nominated were given the option of accepting or declining the nomination. At that point, votes were cast and subsequently counted by Halcrow and Mississippi Mills chief administrative officer Diane Smithson. Each committee was dealt with on an individual basis with the first on the list being finance, administration and policy.

“I nominate (Ramsay ward Coun.) John Edwards,” said Pakenham ward Coun. Brenda Hurrle.

“And I nominate (Almonte ward Coun.) Garry Dalgity,” added Almonte ward Coun. Jane Torrance.

Both councillors accepted their respective nominations and while Dalgity was the current chair of finance, it was Edwards who emerged victorious.

Deciding to have a little fun with the proceedings, Hurrle jokingly attempted to begin an “Obama” chant while Halcrow and Smithson were in the next room counting the votes. When they returned with the decision, Lunney continued the lightheartedness of the moment.

“Oh my God that was fast,” he joked.

“There were only 11 ballots,” Smithson replied.

Next up was the planning committee. Hurrle nominated Ramsay ward Coun. Val Wilkinson, Dalgity nominated Torrance and Almonte ward Coun. Rick Minnille nominated himself. Wilkinson was selected as the winner.

Edwards nominated Hurrle for the position of recreation and culture chair and, seeing as there were no other nominations, Hurrle was acclaimed.

“I’m getting used to being acclaimed,” she said, referencing the November 2006 municipal election, when she was acclaimed to her current position of councillor.

Edwards nominated Dalgity for roads and public works chair while Lunney nominated Torrance.

“This is so much pressure,” the mayor jested while filling out his ballot.

Dalgity was the successful candidate.

As for the fire committee, Ramsay ward Coun. Jim Lowry was nominated by Edwards and later acclaimed to the position when Torrance, who was nominated by Wilkinson, declined the nomination.

“I want to thank you for all of your tremendous support,” Lowry said.

Following the mini-elections, a motion was unanimously carried to officially approve the new committee chairs. These new roles become official in January 2009.

“Thank you and congratulations to all,” Lunney said.