Some familiar faces return to Humber Joint Council executive DEER LAKE KATHERINE HUDSON The Western Star

Newly elected executive members discuss reports at the Great Humber Joint Council meeting on Saturday in Deer Lake. — Star photo by Katherine Hudson

A nearly fresh slate of executives came out of the Great Humber Joint Council meeting on Saturday in Deer Lake.

The meeting kicked off with the election of Pasadena councillor Otto Goulding as president and Steady Brook councillor Leona Gillette as vice-president. Jean Kelly, a councillor in Howley kept her position as treasurer. The council did not elect a new secretary at the meeting and will wait until the next gathering to fill the position.

Pasadena Mayor Gary Bishop and Corner Brook councillor Priscilla Boutcher were both elected to the positions of directors.

As the transition of leadership took place, so too did a refresher on issues, future events and representatives to outside boards and committees. The council elected Albert Park, deputy mayor of McIver’s, as the new council representative for the Humber Economic Development Board.

Corner Brook Mayor Neville Greeley, expressed the importance of sending new council members to the Municipalities of Newfoundland and Labrador Annual Convention taking place this week in Gander. He said communities should opt to send new councilors rather than town manager since the convention is geared toward educating new members of council.

“Workshops are available for new councillors,” Greeley said. “A big part of the convention will deal with an election school for new councillors. If your council is going to send anybody out they should really be looking at sending newer councillors.

“It’s a great opportunity to find out what other communities of similar sizes are doing with issues that you may have,” he said.

At the meeting, the communities of Howley, Deer Lake, Corner Brook, Pasadena, Trout River, Massey Drive, Mount Moriah, McIver’s and Irishtown-Summerside were represented. The session concluded with tentatively scheduling the next meeting for Nov. 28 in Irishtown-Summerside.