CORNWALL – “Cornwall, I am excited and optimistic for the future. We are on the cusp of even greater things.”
Those optimistic words were delivered by newly installed Mayor Justin Towndale Tuesday night during his inaugural address at the Cornwall Civic Complex.
Towndale opened his address by thanking a long list of people including his parents, Angelo and Margaret, and his co-campaign manager and “better half,” Sarah Beach.
Then it was down to outlining the business for the next term and Towndale is confident council will be able to tackle much of it during the next four years.
“I am eager to begin work on addressing housing issues including homelessness, to begin work on attracting more doctors and to improve internal processes like permitting,” the mayor said.
Towndale noted much of this will be solidified in the strategic planning process, which will begin “in a short while.”
He also talked about improving relationships with neighbours Akwesasne, South Glengarry and South Stormont as well as the United Counties of SD&G.
Towndale also addressed whether the job of mayor is a full-time or part-time position.
“I pledge to you that, as I accept this role, I’m accepting it as a full-time role.”
The mayor also took time to recognize former councillor David Murphy, who died this week of lung cancer.
“It is truly remarkable how much Dave was involved with from coaching an inspiring our youth to fundraising for others who were also afflicted by cancer. It is impossible to list everything Dave has contributed to our community,” he said.
Towndale says he will work with council to “find an appropriate way to recognize Dave and his contributions to our community.”
The night also saw the swearing in of the next council.
Claude McIntosh, Dean Hollingsworth, Elaine MacDonald, Maurice Dupelle, Syd Gardiner, Carilyne Hebert and Todd Bennett are returning.
They are joined by newcomers Sarah Good, Fred Ngoundjo and Denis Sabourin.
Mayor Towndale also noted that the top three vote-getters in this election were women – a first for Cornwall.
Council will have its first business meeting on Monday, Nov. 28.