Richmond Hill's new mayor wants a renewed culture at city hall

David West is sworn in because the mayor of Richmond Hill following byelection victory. Alongside are the brand new mayor's spouse, Michelle and son Thomas.

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David West pledged a optimistic change, a renewed tradition and considerate management as he was formally sworn in as the brand new mayor of Richmond Hill after byelection.

West, flanked by his spouse and son, took the oath of workplace at metropolis corridor Jan. 25 afternoon and can serve the rest of the present time period of council, which ends on Nov. 14, 2022.

“I need to thank Richmond Hill for the boldness you could have positioned in me,” West stated. “I promise I will probably be a mayor that serves the pursuits of you, the individuals of Richmond Hill, and it is all the time been vital to me that we construct our neighborhood collectively.”

The brand new mayor acknowledged the town has some “troublesome choices” forward, however his first order of enterprise is to right away decide a course of for filling his now vacant seat for Ward 4 on council.

It's as much as council to resolve methods to fill that place, however West believes the choice could be an appointment, he informed The Liberal shortly after the swearing-in.

“It is crucial that this occurs rapidly and that the residents of Ward 4 be correctly represented,” he stated.

In the meantime, many points associated to metropolis development are his high priorities as effectively.

“We have to in a short time flip our consideration to some essential and huge points in Richmond Hill. Considered one of these is the official plan evaluate course of.”

However within the quick time period, West stated his precedence will probably be to “appropriate our course on quite a few points that we've got handled over the previous couple of years.”

“I will be working with the prevailing members of council to hammer residence the message that you've got given us on this byelection that you really want us to work collectively to serve you, the neighborhood. I need to provoke a optimistic change and renew tradition at Metropolis Corridor.”

West was first appointed to council on Dec. 4, 2013 to fill a emptiness and was then elected in October 2014 to proceed as Ward 4 councillor. He was reelected in 2018.

Nicely earlier than he was an elected official, West stated he was a devoted volunteer in creating the brand new strategic plan for Richmond Hill, to make it a spot the place individuals come collectively to construct a neighborhood. 

“That assertion nonetheless resonates with me as I'm going again to the assertion on a regular basis to remind myself why we're all doing this job.”

“I'm actually desirous to get again to work,” he stated.