The Town of Golden officially has a new council after a ceremony held at the Seniors Centre on Dec. 6. The six councillors who were elected in the recent municipal elections along with Mayor Christina Benty, who was acclaimed for a second term, were sworn in to their positions for the next three years.
During a speech after the swearing-in ceremony Benty thanked all of the people who had come out to be a part of the evening. “Thank you all so much for coming out here. It is just fantastic to see friends and family,” she said.
She went on to talk about how excited she was moving forward during the next three years with the new council. “I want to let you know with all of my heart just how humbled I am to be elected again. I also want you to know I do not take this responsibility lightly,” she said.
Benty thanked all of the families and friends who support them during the busy days when being on council takes up so much of their time, and also thanked all of the Town staff. “The Town is blessed to have such highly skilled and dedicated employees,” she said.
Benty also went on to welcome the new council.
“To the new council. There are several familiar faces around this table. However this is a new council and a new term. I value the accumulation of talent, energy and wisdom that is right here. The community has chosen wisely. I am looking forward to working with you in an atmosphere of professionalism, civility and respect,” she said. She also added thanks to all of the councillors who she had worked with since becoming mayor. “I can’t say enough about what a pleasure it has been to serve alongside you.”
Benty went on to explain that she hopes the residents in Golden work with the council to create a stronger future for the town.
“To the citizens of Golden, it has been said the most important political office is that of active and engaged citizens.”
One of the newly elected councillors who was sworn in to office was John Jackson.
“I feel really good. I just went down for councillor training this week and am really looking forward to it. The council is going to be a lot of work but also a lot of fun,” Jackson said.
He said this impression has come not only from the training he went through but also from talking to some of the returning council members. As for what people have been talking to him about since being elected, Jackson said, “I guess we are going to have to look at each issue as a team and listen to what people say to address those issues. I am absolutely looking forward to the next three years.”
