Inaugural meeting opens new chapter

Monday night marked a new chapter for Niagara-on-the-Lake and for Lord Mayor Betty Disero, who officially began her four-year term as the head of council at its inaugural meeting at the Shaw Festival Theatre.
After being led on stage by the Fort George Fife and Drum Corps, followed by Juliet Dunn and Peter Shea performing O Canada, Disero and eight councillors were sworn in at the inaugural council meeting Dec. 3, before an audience of more than 500 people. 
John Wiens was the only returning councillor. Gary Burroughs, former lord mayor, regional chair and councillor, was also sworn in as a member of town council, along with newcomers Norm Arsenault, Allan Bisback, Clare Cameron, Wendy Cheropita, Stuart McCormack and Erwin Wiens.
Cameron was also appointed deputy lord mayor as part of the inaugural meeting agenda.
Barbara Hall, former Toronto mayor, and 97-year-old Hazel McCallion, mayor of Mississauga from 1978 to 2014 — both friends of Disero's from her past life as a Toronto politician — were on hand to support her. 
"I'm so excited to be here tonight to mark a new beginning," said Disero in her first speech as lord mayor. She referred to the next chapter for the town as first acknowledging "what has come before," and thanked all who have helped build "the amazing community it is today," including growers, pioneers of the wine industry, those who keep history alive through museums and historical sites, cultural institutions "and workers who give us soul," as well as protectors of natural landscapes and the business community.
Disero also recognized everyone who ran in the recent election, previous leaders, the Town's administrative staff and all those who have helped to create "the most unique, the most amazing, the most liveable town in Canada."
But there are challenges to be met, said Disero. In recent months, talking to thousands of residents, a recurring theme was a question of the future, and what kind of community NOTL would become.
The town has grown, and with growth have come challenges which will require solutions, she said, including sustaining a sense of community by retaining the welcoming, friendly spirit as new people move to town. She also spoke of dealing with the "hot topic" of development by completing the Official Plan, changing and strengthening development processes and design review policies, and most of all, "balancing the past with the future."
The Town's financial situation will also be a challenge, she said. 
With budget discussions coming at next Monday's committee-of-the-whole meeting and the 2019 budget expected to be finalized the following week at council, "we are facing some tough decisions."
The 2018 budget is in deficit, said Disero, reserves are depleting and "the old practice of putting off to tomorrow has left us with a budget that is no longer sustainable."
With a large portion of the town's funds coming from the residents and businesses, she added, "we must spend these funds wisely and with accountability."
Meeting future challenges will take a "collective effort, one that unites the town in ways we may have never seen before. It will demand that we come together to find common grown on the complex issues that lie before us."
Together, "we will write a new, exciting chapter for NOTL, one that will answer the question of what type of community residents want the town to become, Disero said.
"We will decide on our vision, so when people come to NOTL, they will know who we are, where we are going and what the rules are." she added.