Richard Dauphinee will reprise his role as warden of West Hants for another four-year term and Gary Cochrane will remain on as his deputy.
The long-time municipal councillors were re-elected Nov. 13 but not without a race.
Coun. Shirley Pineo was first nominated to run for the warden's seat. The pair had the opportunity to address their peers prior to the vote. Pineo was up first.
“I stand before you this evening to allow my name to stand for warden, knowing full well that is probably an impossible undertaking unless one of you five gentleman, who have been sitting around this table for many years, opens your mind and decides it's time for change,” said Pineo.
The 18-year veteran of council promised if she was elected she would keep councillors apprised of all issues or developments at all times. She said she also would review the warden's salary, which she felt was too high.
“Several years ago, I know it was raised because it was felt that the warden was doing the work of an economic development officer and therefore should receive more money to cover the costs,” she said. “I believe that this was incorrect for us to do because it makes an elected person also part of the staff, and that is definitely not allowed.”
Pineo thanked council for considering her for the position.
Dauphinee, who has been on council for 25 years, reminded council he abstained from voting on his salary increase and vowed, if re-elected, to continue serving the municipality to the best of his ability.
“I guess all I can promise is that I will continue to give the job 110 per cent if elected,” he said.
Council voted by secret ballot and returned Dauphinee to the seat.
During his acceptance speech, Dauphinee said he hoped council would work together as a team so that they could be productive in the coming four years.
The floor then opened up for nominations for deputy warden, and Cochrane and Pineo were up for the spot. No speeches were made. Cochrane, who has been on council for 31 years, received the majority vote.
“I would like to thank council for giving me the opportunity to represent this council as deputy warden,” said Cochrane. “I have worked very closely with the warden over the past number of years and with his workload, he puts in many hours. I don't think his salary is… indicative of the hours he puts in.”
Cochrane also said he hopes council will find a way to work together so they will have a “productive and bright four years.”
The entire council was sworn in at the start of the meeting. West Hants municipal council consists of: District 1 (Summerville-Kempt), Reed Allen; District 2 (Avondale-The Burlingtons), Pineo; District 3 (Brooklyn-Scotch Village), Randy Matheson; District 4 (St. Croix-Ellershouse-Newport Corner), Tom Brown; District 5 (Wentworth-Newport Station-Newport Corner), Cochrane; District 6 (Three Mile Plains), Dauphinee; District 7 (Three Mile Plains-Martock-Vaughans), Jennifer Daniels; District 8 (Upper Falmouth-Mount Denson), Mike Campbell; and District 9 (Falmouth), Victor Swinamer.
