Council Inauguration Ceremony Celebrates City's Future
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The inaugural meeting of Council was held today at the City of Vaughan’s new City Hall for the official swearing-in ceremony of newly-elected Mayor Honourable Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council. The Declaration of Office was administered by The Honourable Madam Justice Michelle Fuerst.
“On October 25, the people of Vaughan seized the opportunity to bring about positive change,” said Mayor Bevilacqua in his inaugural address. “In the future, I see a City that will be praised for its character and integrity and acclaimed for its responsible planning and economic leadership. I see a City that will be renowned for its first-class administration, its transparency, its accountability and respect for taxpayers' dollars. This will be Vaughan’s new image.”
Mayor Bevilacqua also pointed to Vaughan’s new City Hall as being a symbol of change which celebrates the City’s future and represents transparency and accessibility.
“As we look around this great City of ours, everywhere we see growth and change. Vaughan is in the midst of a transformation – emerging from a suburban community into a major urban centre which we will turn into a world-class city,” said Mayor Bevilacqua. “Fuelled by our desire to fulfill the promise of our City, we will all raise our game and aim for a higher purpose.”
A formal procession of the new Council was led by a piper from the York Regional Police Pipes and Drums and the Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service Honour Guard.
During their inaugural addresses, Members of Council talked about their aspirations for this term and expressed appreciation to their families, friends and residents.
Vaughan Council for the 2010-2014 term of office includes: Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua; Regional Councillor Gino Rosati; Regional Councillor Michael Di Biase; Regional Councillor Deb Schulte; Ward 1 Councillor Marilyn Iafrate; Ward 2 Councillor Tony Carella; Ward 3 Councillor Rosanna DeFrancesca; Ward 4 Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco; and Ward 5 Councillor Alan Shefman.
Special guests included: Father Mike Corcione of St. Peter's Catholic Church; Rabbi Yisroel Landa, Executive Director of Beth Chabad Israeli Community; and Kaleem Malik, Vice President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
The Mayor and Members of Council invited residents to celebrate the inauguration of Council at a special reception held at the Paramount Conference and Event Venue, supported by presenting sponsor Pacific & Western Bank of Canada.
For the first time, the inauguration ceremony was broadcast for public viewing by live streaming video. It aired at the new City Hall and the inaugural reception, and was featured on the City's website at www.vaughan.ca.