Photo by Marni Walsh
Shelburne’s Council for the new term, which has now officially begun are (back row left to right) Councillor Tom Egan, Councillor Wade Mills, Councillor Walter Benotto, Councillor Dan Sample, (Front) Deputy Mayor Geoff Dunlop, Mayor Ken Bennington, Councillor Randy Chambers.

Town of Shelburne Chief Administrative Officer John Telfer led the “passing of the torch” at the Declaration of Office Ceremony at Grace Tipling Hall. There was a large crowd present to see the swearing in of the new Council and Mayor and bid farewell to outgoing Mayor of the last 17 years, Ed Crewson. CAO Telfer congratulated the new council and gave best wishes to Ed Crewson as he “focuses on life outside of the tasks of Mayor.” He spoke about the growth of Shelburne, in this the “135th Council year” as “five times that of the Official Plan” and that Shelburne was a “player with strong potential” and “hopes being realised.”

Max Gillham singing and performing on the upright bass with guitarist Vincent Halis; the two young musicians are from the Centre Dufferin District High School band which sent students to entertain at the inaugural ceremony at Grace Tipling Hall on Dec. 1st. Other CDDHS band students at the event included Luke Chau who performed a piano solo, as well as joining fellow student flutists Bethany Horsley, Quinlyan Bowler and Shaynna Sibean for several numbers throughout the evening.

Ken Bennington’s first official duty as the new Mayor of Shelburne was to address the crowd at Grace Tipling Hall Monday night. He said that although he and the former Mayor Ed Crewson had been an “unlikely pairing” of very different personalities they had been “great team mates” with “a great supporting cast” that “managed crisis and brought good fortune” to the Town. “The election was a great teaching tool,” said the new Mayor, “I knocked on hundreds of doors and spoke to many, many people” the conversations he had he said, would “help chart the course for this council.” Bennington recalled successfully sailing home over the rough waters of Georgian Bay with his father, “a seaworthy captain,” who warned him to “watch for the rocks;”he compared the experience to the emotions he feels now, entering into his role as Mayor, and promised that with the patience and confidence of the people of Shelburne he “would not put them on the rocks.”

Geoff Dunlop (centre) with Town of Shelburne CAO and Clerk John Telfer and Deputy Clerk Jennifer Willoughby as Dunlop signs to become Deputy Mayor at the inauguration ceremony on Dec. 1st.

Ed Crewson, former Mayor of Shelburne, accepts a gift from newly appointed Mayor Ken Bennington on behalf of Council: the gavel he used from the Mayor’s seat for the last 17 years mounted with the inscription “Come to Order.”

Outside of Council Chambers at Monday night’s Declaration of Office Ceremony, now former Mayor Ed Crewson and his wife Wendy, who has faithfully supported and encouraged him through 26 years of political life for the Town of Shelburne and County of Dufferin.