District of Invermere Chief Administrative Officer Chris Prosser officially declared Gerry Taft as mayor, Nov. 22 during a regular meeting of council.

He also declared Spring Hawes, Justin Atterbury, Greg Anderson and Paul Denchuk as Taft’s next council, which will assume duties during the district’s next council meeting, Dec. 13.

It will be Taft’s second term as mayor, after he served two terms as a councillor. It will also be Hawes’ second term as a councillor. Anderson, who has served as a Rocky Mountain School District board trustee, including time as chair, for more than a decade, will begin his first term with the district, along with Denchuk and Atterbury.

The declaration of the new council was the only order of business during last night’s meeting, and it was followed by tributes to outgoing five-term  Councillor Bob Campsall, as well as departing councillers Al Miller, defeated by Taft in the election, and two-term councillor Ray Brydon, who was also defeated in the election.

Seated in the gallery, newly elected Denchuk launched the tributes, noting, “I want to thank Bob Campsall for all his service.”

Taft kept momentum rolling.

“I’d also like to extend a sincere thank you to councillors Campsall, Brydon and Miller. They put in a lot of time and energy.”

Campsall (pictured above) responded by pointing out “it is neat so many people ran for election,” before offering some advice to the new councilors.

“Everyone in town is going to call you sooner or later” and recommended that they immediately obtain the private phone numbers of all the other members of council, because back-up will be required.

He concluded by reminding them that “you can’t please all the people all of the time – but it’s fun trying.”

Brydon also thanked Campsall for his service and assistance.

“He’s been a great help to me, and so forth,” he said. “It’s been six years of great processes.”

Looking back, he said, he sees how much has been done in the town and feels good about it.

“I wish council and yourself (Taft) and Spring all the success. I really appreciated being on council. Thank you to the community for the experience,” Brydon said.

Miller also thanked the community for the chance to represent it.

“It’s been a pleasure. Hats off to all the candidates; congratulations everyone – Gerry for mayor and the councillors for getting in. I am sure the community will be well-served,” he said.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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