Ian Todd aka Slam Poet Sterling Dillinger officially opened the ceremony with an entertaining and thought provoking poem in which he spoke of “GOALS – Good Opportunities Available for Local Success, Skills, Solutions” and ended with a call to action, “You can’t complain about the direction of a ship, if you didn’t get on the boat.”

The proceedings began with the Mayor and Members of Council reciting their Declaration of Office. Mayor Barrow then delivered the Inaugural Address. He spoke of the work ahead to implement and complete the many plans that have been developed with the community over the past several years including the Transportation Master Plan, the Economic Development Strategy, the Cultural Plan and the Environmental Strategy. “We have the Strategic Plan, the People Plan that needs to be renewed and we have a great foundation to work from,” said the Mayor.

“In our Town we believe all voices should be heard. No one voice matters more than another,” declared the Mayor. “Every person has something to offer the conversation we are going to have over the next four years about our community and all are welcome to express their opinion.” He emphasized that Richmond Hill is a “community of shared values and shared aspirations but shared responsibilities also. When a community’s spirit is strong, so is its economy, social connections and arts and culture.”

Barrow also spoke of the work ahead with the Yonge Street Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and called for continued dialogue with the Province for the Yonge Street Subway.

After the Mayor’s address, each member of Council delivered remarks. They thanked their supporters, voters, Town staff and their families. They spoke of the importance of community engagement, enhancing customer service, better transit, affordable housing and improving the economy.

The evening’s ceremony included a piped processional led by pipers Paul G. McKenzie and Jeff Capp of the Richmond Hill Centennial Pipe Band and members of the Richmond Hill Fire & Emergency Services Honour Guard.

The ceremony included a Call to Order by Town Clerk, Donna McLarty, The Alexander Mackenzie Secondary School Choir sang the National Anthem followed by an Invocation by Rabbi Mendel Bernstein of the Chabad Romano Centre. The Declarations of Office were administered by David Melitzer, Town Solicitor.

The Mayor concluded the evening by addressing Council directly. “We succeed only when we meet and exceed the expectations of the residents,” said Mayor Barrow. “We endeavor to set and deliver on the highest standards of service, value, integrity and fairness for our residents. We have a responsibility to lead by example with respect for each other, our staff and the people we serve.”

The following is the new Town of Richmond Hill Council 2014-2018: