Historic Swearing-in Ceremony for Town of Fogo Island Councillors

An important step in the development of the Town of Fogo Island was achieved last evening as the town councillors for the new municipality were sworn-in. During a ceremony at Fogo Island Central Academy, councillors received the oath of office to form the first council for the town.

“I was extremely pleased to participate in the swearing-in of the inaugural council which has occurred just a little over two months since I participated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Town of Fogo Island,” said the Honourable Kevin O’Brien, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “The creation of a new municipality is an extremely rewarding undertaking and these nine councillors of the Town of Fogo Island should be commended for leading this important task. This new council is an example of what can be accomplished when municipalities work together with the goal of achieving great things for the people they are elected to represent.”

The amalgamation comes at the request of the previous four town councils and the Fogo Island Regional Council. To support the creation of the Town of Fogo Island, the Provincial Government has provided approximately $4.8 million to the municipality. This funding is for development of a town plan, construction of a new soccer pitch, writing down combined debt and transitional costs for the transfer of assets and other merger expenses.

“Fogo Island has a proud history and an extremely bright future,” said the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Business and MHA for The Isles of Notre Dame. “The spirit of collaboration shown by the councils and residents of Fogo Island is a testament to their willingness to ensure the island continues to prosper through the guidance of an island-wide municipality.”

There was significant interest in the ward elections which occurred February 22. The Town of Fogo Island consists of nine elected councillors with two from both Fogo and Joe Batt’s Arm-Barr’d Islands-Shoal Bay and one each from Tilting, Seldom-Little Seldom, Stag Harbour, Island Harbour and Deep Bay-Centre of the island.

“The process of island-wide municipal government started more than four years ago with Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador’s Community Cooperation Office facilitating meetings and encouraging cooperation among the towns,” said Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador President Harry Hallett. “We’re very proud to welcome the Town of Fogo Island and congratulate the new council for their commitment to the hard work involved in creating a successful new municipality. Amalgamation was their choice and we support them in their decision.”

The mayor and deputy mayor positions will be chosen by members of council at the first meeting. The incorporation of the Town of Fogo Island which is expected to take place in the coming weeks will complete the process of establishing the new municipality.

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Members of the Town of Fogo Island Council

2011 03 03                                                                               9:25 a.m.