New-look council to set 'new standards,' mayor says
Mayor Malcolm Brodie paid tribute to two retired city councillors while welcoming the city's newest civic politicians in his inaugural address Monday at city hall.
Once the newly-elected council was sworn in by Justice Mary Newbury of the B.C. Court of Appeal, Chak Au and Linda McPhail were seated in council chamber chairs they'll own for the next three years.
"Each has an extensive record of service to Richmond," said Brodie before a small crowd. "In sharing fresh perspectives, each will complement the returning city councillors."
Longtime councillors Sue Halsey-Brandt and Greg Halsey-Brandt retired this year, paving the way for Au and McPhail—both former school trustees—to claim their seats in the Nov. 19 election.
In his speech, Brodie repeated words he used when first sworn in as mayor in 2001, promising citizens to do his best and show respect "for our shared commitment in this community to inclusiveness, openness, understanding and common sense decision-making." He also told fellow council members he would "strive to provide the kind of leadership that respects and inspires the individual talents and ideas that each of you contribute."
"I have heard so many people talk about our city’s emergence in the last decade," said Brodie, who is beginning his fifth term as mayor. "There have in fact been great triumphs though they have been mixed with many very difficult challenges. I look forward to the coming term of Richmond city council as together we will set new standards for livability and prosperity."
Also Monday, Brodie announced largely status quo appointments to various boards and committees.
Brodie and Coun. Harold Steves will continue to serve as directors on the Metro Vancouver board. Coun. Bill McNulty continues as Richmond's representative on the E-Comm (Emergency Communications for Southwest B.C.) board. Coun. Linda Barnes stays as council's representative on the Greater Vancouver Regional District Labour Relations Bureau, B.C. Aviation Council and Lower Mainland Treaty Advisory Committee.
Brodie also announced city council's standing committees will continue to be led by the same chairpersons as the previous term.
City council standing committees
Finance Committee/General Purposes Committee: Mayor Malcolm Brodie (chair), all members of council
Community Safety Committee: Derek Dang (chair), Linda McPhail (vice-chair), Ken Johnston, Evelina Halsey-Brandt, Bill McNulty
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee: Harold Steves (chair), Johnston (vice-chair), Linda Barnes, Halsey-Brandt, McNulty
Planning: McNulty (chair), Halsey-Brandt (vice-chair), Chak Au, Barnes, Steves
Public Works and Transportation Committee: Linda Barnes (chair), Au (vice-chair), Dang, McPhail, Steves
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