New faces join familiar on Riverview council
Wards 1, 2 elect new councillors as four incumbents retain their seats
Three new faces were added to Riverview Town Council last night as two new ward councillors and one new councillor-at-large were elected.
Incumbent councillors Ron Davis in Ward 1 and Bill McBeath in Ward 2 were defeated by newcomers, while Don Lenehan was elected to fill the at-large seat left vacant with the retirement of Charles Broderick.
"We have had a successful council over the last four years and I believe most people in Riverview are satisfied," said Mayor Clarence Sweetland, who was elected by acclamation. "We've achieved a lot in Riverview over the last four years. We've made significant investments and have started the process of some major projects that we will continue on with."
Sweetland said the Fundy Gateway project, a major rebuilding of the town hall, a trunk sewer to open up the new Bridgedale Boulevard and continued commercial development around Findlay Park are among the priorities for the next four years. Sweetland said the new Gunningsville Boulevard, the Gunningsville Bridge, renovations to the Byron Dobson Arena and the Riverview Aquatic Centre have helped beef up the community's profile.
The town of 17,000 is generally considered as a residential bedroom community of Moncton, but is trying to increase its own identity and draw in more commercial development to build up its tax base for much-needed additional revenue.
But Riverview has taken criticism from its neighbours for its official stance against the proposed restoration of the Petitcodiac River. Sweetland has said there is a difference of opinion around the town and it will be up to the new council to decide whether it wants to change its stance on the issue. For now, however, he says Riverview has made an investment in the area along the Petitcodiac Lake and sees it as an asset. Most councillors have said opening the causeway gates is too much of a risk and could do more harm than good.
Long-time Ward 3 Councillor Bob Hyslop said he was delighted at his re-election and is looking forward to continued commercial development in the town.
Hyslop had actually injured himself by falling through a set of wooden steps while campaigning and had to go home and rest his foot between walks around the ward.
Ann Seamans, who was elected to a fourth term as a councillor-at-large last night, said she has been working toward the town hall rebuild project for many years and is happy to see it will finally happen.
"I really can't wait to see what will happen over the next four years because our growth has been phenomenal." Seamans said the new bridge and new roads have improved traffic flow and will open the town up for much more development in the coming years.
Sherry Wilson was also happy to be re-elected as a councillor-at-large.
Wayne Bennett, re-elected in Ward 4, said he hopes to bring some new ideas for seniors and the environment to council during the next session.
The retirement of Charles Broderick left an open councillor-at-large position which will be filled by newcomer Don Lenehan. He could not be reached for comment last night.
While councillors Hyslop and Wayne Bennett were re-elected in Wards 3 and 4 respectively, two newcomers were elected in Wards 1 and 2.
Claude Curwin defeated incumbent Ron Davis in Ward 1, while Ian MacDonald defeated Bill McBeath in Ward 2.
"I'm thankful to the people of east Riverview for their support and will do the best that I can," said Curwin.
He said a new school for Riverview and holding the line on taxes will be his priorities for the next session.
MacDonald also thanked his supporters and said he hopes to add new energy and vision to the ward.
The new Riverview Town Council will be sworn in during a ceremony May 26.
More Newstoday
Search Articles
More CE Network Sites & Partners:
