New Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy had a hard time keeping his emotions in check as he gave his speech at the swearing-in ceremony of his new city council on Tuesday night.
Ruimy said the municipal election was an emotional win, and having his four teammates from A Better Maple Ridge, and loved ones in the audience at The ACT, brought the moment home – even more so than when the veteran politician was sworn in as Member of Parliament for Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge.
Please welcome your 2022-2026 Council who were sworn in at the Inaugural Ceremony at the ACT Arts Centre. We would like to thank everyone who was able to attend the event in person and online. We’ll share additional images of the event in the coming days on our social channels pic.twitter.com/gZuMOUXOUR
— City of Maple Ridge (@YourMapleRidge) November 2, 2022
“When I was elected as an MP, you go to Ottawa, and it was so distant from everyone – this is why I wanted to get involved so much as mayor,” he explained.
“Municipal politics affects people every single day of their life, and I’m humbled by being elected to the position, that people trust me to take their best interests at heart, and find good solutions, and get involved with the community.”
“This was very emotional for me.”
READ ALSO: Ruimy and his Better Maple Ridge team sweep into city hall
There was a good crowd at The ACT to see the event, which included a bagpiper and police and fire colour guard to add some pomp to the proceedings.
And Ruimy kept it together well enough to outline the strengths that each of the council members will bring to their position: Korleen Carreras, Onyeka Dozie, Sunny Schiller, Ahmed Yousef, Judy Dueck, and Jenny Tan.
He spoke about the issues that confront the council, from development, the local economy, transportation, reducing carbon emissions, homelessness, and more.
“Let’s dedicate ourselves to debating issues, not people. The diversity of our community is our strength, and that diversity is represented at our council table,” he said to loud applause.
“I’m looking forward to the next four years,” said Ruimy. “Let’s do this together. This is an amazing council, and all of you let’s make a better Maple Ridge.”
The normally staid proceedings of swearing in councillors was made a more interesting occasion as Dozie’s wife Linda joined him on stage, bringing their family Bible on which to swear his oath of office, and Yousef spoke in Arabic during his oath.
Yousef, who has Egyptian heritage, explained that he spoke prayers and an invocation of God’s mercy and forgiveness, asking for strength in his work, and to be merciful of his shortcomings.
READ ALSO: Dingwall looks back on eight years at Pitt Meadows City Hall
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