New councillors Dawn Kilmer (left) and Tony Head (right) read oaths during Monday night's induction ceremony. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Back in the chamber

New Prince Albert city council sworn in

Nov 17, 2020 | 8:26 AM

Prince Albert city council is back in session with two new faces at the table.

Council was officially sworn in Monday night during an induction ceremony, followed by a short meeting.

The composition of the new council is mostly the same as the previous one, with nearly all incumbent councillors and the mayor having won re-election.

Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne (centre) welcomes councillors. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

Union representative Tony Head, who defeated Evert Botha in Ward 3, and retired high school principal Dawn Kilmer, who claimed Dennis Nowoselsky’s vacant Ward 7 seat, are the new additions.

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“I’m ready to hit the ground running,” Head told paNOW after the ceremony. He explained his previous experience as a city employee would give him an edge learning the ropes at council, but he still planned on reaching out to fellow councillors for help getting up to speed.

Ward 3 Councillor, Tony Head poses with his wife and three daughters after being sworn in. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

Head, who is Indigenous, took the oath of office wearing a buckskin vest that he explained was lent to him by Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte of Prince Albert Grand Council.

“I definitely feel it’s important to be visible,” said Head. “And give people a sense of pride that they can also wear some of their culture with pride.”

His fellow newcomer to council, Dawn Kilmer, said she was excited and nervous for her new role.

“I want to do the best job I can for the people of Ward 7 and the people of Prince Albert,” she said.

Ward 7 Councillor, Dawn Kilmer reads the oath of office as Mayor Greg Dionne looks on. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

Kilmer said she was looking forward to a crash course on council procedure from the city clerk’s office. She explained she planned to do a lot of reading and ask a lot of questions.

The first major test of the new council will be 2021 budget deliberations, the dates for which have not yet been announced.

Council’s next meeting in Nov. 30.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom