It may have been one of the shortest meetings Sicamous’ new council will have over the next three years, but that didn’t diminish its significance.
Family, friends and fellow supporters packed the council chamber Monday evening to witness Mayor Darrell Trouton, and Couns. Fred Busch, Charlotte Hutchinson, Greg Kyllo, Don Richardson, Terry Rysz and Joan Thomson being sworn in.
With council’s first meeting commenced, business began with official appointments. Kyllo was appointed deputy mayor, Fred Busch was appointed the district’s representative on the Okanagan Regional Library board, with Thomson as an alternate, and Trouton was appointed as the district representative on the Columbia Shuswap Regional District board, with Kyllo named alternate.
Two standing committees were also appointed: council’s committee of the whole, and a new economic development committee, to include the mayor and council, as well as Gord Bushell, Kaija Isherwood, Jeff Mallmass, Shane Yarmoloy, Corrinne Cross, Greg Gordon and Jake Dewitt.
The meeting concluded with a speech by Trouton (to be posted in full at www.eaglevalleynews.com), in which he emphasized a need in the community for positive change that he sees possible with the new council.
“The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit, to choose a better history for Sicamous,” said Trouton. “Courage, judgement, integrity, dedication, these are the historic qualities that, with God’s help, will characterize our council’s conduct in the three years that lie ahead. Sicamous deserves a chance to pursue its full measure of happiness.”
Trouton referred to the district committees as “idea factories” that will help move the community in the right direction while helping to maintain accountability.
“We are the people who can dream of things that never were, and ask “why not?” said Trouton.
The first committee of the whole and second council meeting take place in council chambers at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. The public is welcome to attend both meetings.
Below is Mayor Trouton's speech in full:
It is an honor to stand before you and serve as your new Mayor.
I would like to thank my friends, my family and all the people of Sicamous that supported me in this past election.
I would like to thank the previous mayor and council for their dedication over the past three years. I would also like to congratulate the people of Sicamous for their new council. and their victory, for a positive change.
I strongly feel Sicamous needs a positive change and we now have a very strong council that will bring wisdom, commitment and heart to Sicamous. I believe council is eager and are here to do the tasks needed to be done.
I feel that, along with myself, our new council also believes actions speak louder than words.
The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit, to choose a better history for Sicamous. Courage, judgment, integrity, dedication, these are the historic qualities which, with God’s help, will characterize our council's conduct in the three years that lie ahead.
Sicamous deserves a chance to pursue its full measure of happiness.
I intend to serve you, and to be accountable directly to you.
I want to hear, and be an advocate for the opinions and issues of those that call this wonderful place home.
We will be tuned into families and the people of Sicamous
To the people of Sicamous, you are the backbone of this community, and do not let anyone let you believe you are not. It is the time to get involved as we need your heart, your voice to bring this community together again.
I believe we have a new council that cares about the welfare of the Sicamous people; the health, the housing, the schools, the jobs and the rights of the Sicamous people should come first.
We must know all the facts, and hear all the alternatives, and listen to all the criticisms. Let us welcome controversial ideas. Why? So we can learn and build on those ideas.
I am someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies.
The problems of the community cannot possibly be solved by skeptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by their obvious realities. It's a collective failure not to make hard choices and prepare the community for a new age.
Let's rise above any issues and what is required of us now is a new era of responsibility.
We are establishing new committees as idea factories to move Sicamous in the right directions. These new committees will have an open and positive approach and, along with council, will also be there to hold accountability here in Sicamous.
In closing, I am honored to serve you as mayor, and as the mayor I do call upon the community groups, the organizations, the people, the businesses and the district affiliates to come together, to share our values, our common principles. Because its about coming together, to make a real difference.
It is my desire to see Sicamous as a place where business can thrive and jobs can be created. Our community should provide opportunities for youth and security for the elderly. It's about the people not only making a living here but enjoying life here.
We are the people who can dream of things that never were, and ask, "why not?"