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Getting oriented

A city council orientation session was held Wednesday at the Civic Centre's Russ Ramsay Room. The session, scheduled to run from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

A city council orientation session was held Wednesday at the Civic Centre's Russ Ramsay Room.

The session, scheduled to run from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., was a refresher for city councillors re-elected in the October 27 municipal vote, and a learning session for those newly elected before the new council is officially sworn in December 1.

"Be aware that you no longer fly under the radar, you are scrutinized and evaluated," said Pat Mick, outgoing Ward 3 city councillor.

"The people of Sault Ste. Marie are expecting progress and accountability," Mick said.

Mick, who served as a city councillor for 14 years and an Algoma District School Board trustee for 10 years before that, decided not to seek re-election for another term, and gave some words of advice in a speech entitled 'The three Rs - Roles, Responsibilities and Respect.'

Mayor-elect Christian Provenzano was present, as were Judy Hupponen and Matthew Shoemaker, newly elected Ward 3 councillors.

Ross Romano, newly-elected Ward 6 city councillor, was unable to attend for employment-related reasons.

Provenzano told the audience he is looking forward to working with council and staff over the next four years.

Several re-elected city councillors were in attendance, along with a large number of city staff from all departments.

Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Chief Robert Keetch attended, along with Fire Services officials and staff from the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library, Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation and Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority. 

Everyone in attendance was given a large binder of information concerning matters of municipal government rules and procedures.  

"All these people are here to support you and help you, just cherish them," Mick said to newly-elected council members, in referring to city staff.

The new mayor and council will be sworn in Monday, December 1 at 3 p.m. at an inaugural meeting.

We will be covering the inaugural city council meeting with a live broadcast from city council chambers beginning at  3 p.m. Monday, December 1.

Please join us on Local 2 for the broadcast and see related stories and photographs on SooToday beginning at 3 p.m. 


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Darren Taylor

About the Author: Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is a news reporter and photographer in Sault Ste Marie. He regularly covers community events, political announcements and numerous board meetings. With a background in broadcast journalism, Darren has worked in the media since 1996.
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