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New council, mayor sworn in during inaugural meeting 

November 25, 2022   ·   0 Comments

By Sam Odrowski

The Inaugural Meeting of Council for the 2022-2026 term was held at Town Hall on Monday (Nov. 21) where the new council-elect was sworn in.

The new council consists of Mayor Lisa Post, Deputy Mayor Todd Taylor, Coun. Joe Andrews, Coun. Andy Macintosh, Coun. Tess Prendergast, Coun. Sherwood, and Coun. Rick Stevens.

Family and friends of the new council as well as community members packed Town Hall to hear Mayor Post’s inaugural address, as well as remarks from councillors and show their support.

“Tonight’s inauguration represents the start of a new chapter for the Town of Orangeville,” said Mayor Post. “I need to thank all of the people that contributed to the chapters in the story of Orangeville that came before this new one. Community leaders who came before me to build the town that raised me, the town that raised my family. We don’t want to start ripping pages out of the book. Instead, this new council is ready to start adding new ones.”

“Rooted in community”, a slogan throughout Mayor Post’s campaign, is what the next chapter for Orangeville should be called, she said.

“Because these next four years are all about community, they’re all about you. Your voices, ideas and concerns deserve to be heard and reflected in our decision-making,” she said. “That’s why in early 2023, you will start seeing invites to regular town hall forums, you’ll see a newly implemented seniors’ advisory table and a reinstated Mayor’s Youth Council. We will be looking for new and unique ways to hear from you.”

Engaging the community means finding ways of reaching everyone, particularly those with barriers to participation. With this in mind, Mayor Post said she’s committed to visiting each retirement centre and long-term care facility in Orangeville at least once per year.

These visits will be used to update residents on council’s priorities and progress while answering any questions they have and soliciting their input.

“We are committed to finding new and innovative ways like this to ensure that each of you are kept up to date on what’s happening at Town Hall. We want you engaged in the process. Transparency and accountability matters,” said Mayor Post.

“The next four years will be exciting and challenging. We will be starting work on the 2023 budget in the coming weeks, and we’ll be working diligently with our amazing treasurer Nandini Syed, her team and each department to deliver the services that our community needs, while overcoming the hurdles of global inflation and supply chain issues.”

Through these turbulent financial times, Mayor Post said council is committed to keeping tax increases at a minimum. 

Council also is committed to building a safe, equitable and accessible community where everyone can participate fully, she added.

“Our Equity Diversity and Inclusion committee got started near the end of last term. And early in this term, we will be working towards the creation of Orangeville’s first, Equity Diversity and Inclusion Strategy with an action plan that will act as a roadmap to inclusivity,” said Mayor Post.

Continuing work started during the last term of council concerning safety on residential streets is another priority she highlighted. 

“We’ll be working hard with neighbourhoods to implement traffic calming strategies that make sense and address your concerns,” said Mayor Post.

She also noted that she’s looking forward to starting discussions with other levels of government in the coming months to start looking for innovative ways to address the housing affordability crisis. As well as working with Orangeville’s economic development team, local BIA and Dufferin Board of Trade to attract good-paying jobs locally.

“Orangeville is at a critical point in its story and this chapter is an important one,” said Mayor Post. “We are ready to work collaboratively to build the town we all want. A town where people of all ages and in all stages of life can thrive, where our businesses prosper and our neighbourhoods flourish. A place where the voices of the residents are reflected in its development and growth. A community that is sustainable and can stand up to future challenges.”

She added, “As your new mayor I am committed to working hard, leading with integrity and always putting the best interests of Orangeville and its residents first. I am deeply honoured that the voters have placed their trust in me. I am ready to get to work and will proudly serve my hometown.”

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