Municipal Affairs
January 20, 2009

Roddickton / Bide Arm Council Sworn-In

Roddickton / Bide Arm is now officially a new town with a new municipal council.

The Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Municipal Affairs, was in Roddickton / Bide Arm last night for the swearing-in ceremony and offered her congratulations to the new council.

"I was pleased to be in the new town of Roddickton / Bide Arm to witness the swearing-in of the new council," said Minister Whalen. "I would like to congratulate Mayor Norman and the new council members. The Department of Municipal Affairs looks forward to working with them, as together we work towards creating a viable, sustainable and strong community."

"This is a very important milestone for the new municipality of Roddickton / Bide Arm," said Mayor Ray Norman. "We have just sworn in a very strong and capable council and I am confident 2009 will be a very exciting year for this new community."

In late September, the towns of Roddickton and Bide Arm signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department of Municipal Affairs to amalgamate.

An election on December 9 determined that new town would be led under the direction of Mayor Ray Norman, who was the former Mayor of Roddickton. Mayor Norman was elected by acclamation, as was Shanna Randell for Ward One and Tennis Cassell for Ward Two. The remaining four at-large council seats were won by Wade Reid, Kevin Cassell, Janice Pilgrim and Tony Randell. The Town of Roddickton-Bide Arm became effective on January 1, 2009.

The residents of both communities will see many benefits from this merger. Most importantly, residents of both towns will experience improved services especially with regard to road upgrading and improvements and expansion of older water and sewer systems.

This MOU has also meant the new town will have priority access to capital works funding and has the surety of having a multi-year capital works plan supported by a 90 per cent contribution from the province. Also included is a substantial write down on debt, $633,750, to allow the new town to be able to comfortably afford its 10 per cent share.

Minister Whalen took the opportunity to commend the municipal leaders who led the amalgamation initiative.

"Mayor Norman of Roddickton and Mayor Wade Reid of Bide Arm should be applauded for their dedication to this regional co-operation initiative," added Minister Whalen. "It demonstrates their strong leadership and commitment to their towns and the residents they serve."

Mayor Norman and Deputy Mayor Wade Reid � former Mayor of Bide Arm � expressed their appreciation to the Provincial Government for helping them through the amalgamation process.

"The Department of Municipal Affairs and our MHA were involved every step of the way," said Mr. Norman. "We are very pleased that Ministers Whalen and Taylor could be here today as we officially swear in the new council and celebrate this new partnership."

"I would also like to thank the Provincial Government for their role in making today a reality," added Mr. Reid. "The new council looks forward to working with the ministers as we work to serve the residents of this new municipality."

The Honourable Trevor Taylor, MHA for the Straits and White Bay North, also offered his congratulations to the new council.

"I would like to congratulate the communities of Roddickton and Bide Arm for reaching this final stage in the amalgamation process," said the Honourabe Trevor Taylor, MHA for the Straits and White Bay North. "Over the course of the next five years, the residents of the newly formed municipality of Roddickton / Bide Arm will realize the benefits of the co-operation and hard work of the former mayors, councilors and the Department of Municipal Affairs. I congratulate the recently sworn in mayor and councilors and look forward to working with them to ensure that the residents of the community receive the best quality of services available to them."

The Provincial Government is very supportive of regional co-operation initiatives that lead to viable, sustainable communities. The Department of Municipal Affairs allocated $1 million in Budget 2008 to facilitate such co-operation initiatives and to date, more than 18 groupings involving over 40 municipalities have expressed interest in exploring such ventures.

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Media contact:

Jennifer Collingwood
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 690-2498
JenniferCollingwood@gov.nl.ca

2009 01 20                                                   10:00 a.m.
 


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