(Photo via Town of Riverview)
Riverview’s recently elected Councillors took their oaths on Monday night, while also wishing farewell to several departing members of Council.
Attendance for the ceremony was limited to family members, with residents able to tune in virtually.
After taking care of the traditional council matters, presentations were made to each of the retiring members of Town Council.
The three retiring Councillors are Tammy Rampersaud, Lana Hansen and Ann Seamans.
Ann Seamans (left) spent 23 years on Riverview Town Council.
Rampersaud served one term on council before running for mayor in the 2021 election and conceding to Andrew LeBlanc.
Hansen spent nine years on council before announcing ahead of the initial election date in 2020, that she would not be re-offering.
For Seamans, it’s the end of 23 years of serving the Town of Riverview. Seamans was a Town Councillor for 14 years before being elected as Mayor in 2012.
“She’s been a great example for us and were going to follow her lead on working together as a team, being respectful on how we disagree and she was all about connecting with the community and making sure we heard residents and we’re going to keep doing that,” said Riverview’s new Mayor, Andrew LeBlanc.
Seamans was presented a gavel by LeBlanc, on behalf of himself and other members of Council.
While it marked the end of Seamans’ term as Mayor, Monday night was the beginning of Andrew LeBlanc’s time at the helm.
Andrew LeBlanc took his oath as Riverview’s new Mayor
Riverview’s Council boasts a variety of experience and fresh minds as five members have previous experience while the other three are less familiar with Council Chambers.
“They bring a lot of energy, diverse viewpoints and experiences as well and I’m confident that we have what it takes to get the job done,” said LeBlanc about his new team.
Council elected Jeremy Thorne, Councillor of Ward 3, to serve as the Deputy Mayor for the next year.
Riverview’s Council members appear to be wasting little time after already taking the time to discuss common issues they heard while campaigning.
“First and foremost was public safety we heard that a lot… we’ve also heard a lot of about connecting with our schools and working with young people,” said LeBlanc, who also heard concerns on homelessness and affordable housing.
“There’s a lot of complex issues, and there’s not a lot of easy answers.”
Riverview Town Council will meet on June 29 for a committee of the whole meeting.
The City of Dieppe held a swearing-in ceremony for their new council on Monday night as well.
Moncton’s City Councillors were sworn in on June 14.
