It’s official.
The 2013-17 Red Deer city council is now a part of history.
Eight councillors and one mayor were sworn in at a ceremony in council chambers on Monday.
For the first time, the Red Deer Firefighter Emergency Services Honour Guard kicked off the event.
City Clerk Frieda McDougall said the city recognized in the 2010 election that they missed the opportunity to use the guard for the ceremony.
McDougall said they did not want to wait another four years.
“Each time (a council) takes an oath office they take it very seriously knowing that their community has elected them,” said McDougall. “It’s a very heavy responsibility that they are weighing in on. Truly the next four years are the history of this next council.”
Tara Veer was sworn as the 26th mayor since Red Deer became a city in 1913. At 35, Veer is the youngest and only second female mayor. She served nine years on council prior to being elected as mayor on Oct. 21.
Veer said she is honoured to serve the community for the next four years.
“We have a great council and we have a great community,” she said.
“Hopefully over the next four years, we’ll make some progress and make Red Deer even better than it is today.”
Veer said the extra year will make a substantial difference.
She said often by the time a council gels together and makes progress on initiatives, it is time to go back to the polls.
“In four years I think we will be able to accomplish quite a bit,” said Veer.
Councillors Frank Wong and Lynne Mulder will serve a fourth term while Buck Buchanan will serve a third term and Dianne Wjntjes and Paul Harris are back for a second term. Tanya Handley, Lawrence Lee and Ken Johnston are in for their first term.
Judge Bert Skinner did the honours of swearing them all in.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com