Street elected new deputy of Paradise

By Mark Squibb/October 7, 2021

Paradise town councillors have elected Kimberley Street as the town’s next deputy mayor.

The vote was held Tuesday night during the town’s first meeting since the September 28 election.

The item was the main agenda item of the night, and when the time came, Street nominated herself.

Former Deputy Mayor Elizabeth Laurie made the motion to elect Street, and Deborah Quilty seconded it. Council voted unanimously to approve Street for the position.

Laurie took a moment to explain the process of how the selection works. In the case of Paradise, it is not by highest vote count— although Street did indeed have the most votes of any candidate.

“There has been some misconception that it has traditionally gone to those who have the highest vote, when actually the Act states that we as a council decide who will be our deputy mayor,” said Laurie.

She said she was glad the vote was conducted during a public meeting so that residents could be privy to it. In years prior, the vote was done in a private meeting.

The former deputy mayor extended her best wishes to Street.

“It was a role that I thoroughly enjoyed, and I want you to know that I’m here for you if you need anything over the next four years,” said Laurie.

Mayor Dan Bobbett also publicly announced the lineup for this term’s committees.

Administration and Corporate Services will be chaired by Laurie. Also serving are councilors Patrick Martin and Larry Vaters.

Infrastructure and Engineering will be chaired by Quilty. Martin and Vaters will also serve on that committee.

Patrick Martin will chair the Public Works committee, which also includes Laurie and Street.

The deputy mayor will chair Planning and Protective Services. Councilors Glen Carew and Quilty will also serve there.

Recreation will be chaired by councillor Laurie and will include councilors Carew and Vaters.

Members of council will also serve on several external committees. Serving on the Eastern Regional Services Board is Vaters. Carew will serve on the St. John’s Regional Fire Department, while Martin will serve on St. John’s Regional Wastewater and Quilty will sit on St. John’s Regional Water. Mayor Bobbett will serve on Regional Economic Development. Vaters will serve on the Peter Barry Duff Commission, while Carew will serve on Visions Employment.

Deputy Mayor Street will serve on both the Conception Bay Area Chamber of Commerce and Mount Pearl-Paradise Chamber of Commerce.

Councilors Laurie and Vaters will serve on the Northeast Avalon Joint Council.