It’s been Local Government 101.
Vernon’s new council members took part in orientation sessions Thursday and Friday so they are familiar with the inner workings of the organization.
“I learned a lot the first day,” said Akbal Mund, mayor-elect, Friday morning.
As part of the orientation, council has met with the city lawyer and representatives from various departments, as well as toured city facilities.
“You don’t really understand how many people are involved in running the city,” said Mund.
“Every department head has their challenges and our job as a council is to work with them.”
This was the first time that Mund had got together with his council, which consists of four incumbents and two newcomers.
“We’ve got great talent there,” said Mund.
New to council are Scott Anderson and Dalvir Nahal.
“It’s been very interesting,” said Anderson of the orientation sessions. “The process has been very helpful as it gives me some first-hand information to pass on to the public.”
Brian Quiring, an incumbent councillor, says the orientation sessions have provided an opportunity for council to come together as a team.
“This is going to be a good council,” he said, adding the newcomers have a learning curve when it comes to understanding how the city works.
“Scott has been around politics for a long time and he is comfortable with it, and Dalvir is up to the task. She’s a real go-getter,” he said. “Akbal is very positive and he clearly will be able to lead council.”
The other incumbent councillors are Juliette Cunningham, Catherine Lord and Bob Spiers. The new council will be sworn in to office during the inaugural council meeting Monday at 7 p.m. at city hall.
