Street named interim mayor of Paradise

By Mark Squibb

Deputy Mayor Kimberley Street has been named mayor of Paradise following the resignation of Dan Bobbett.

Street will hold office until the municipal election on October 2.

“As I step into the role of mayor for the next few weeks, I want to express that I do not take this responsibility lightly,” said Street. “As I draw on the experience I have gained over the past six years as your councillor and deputy mayor, I am committed to continuing to work on important issues and projects that matter to our community. As a sixth-generation resident of Paradise — my family were of the first to settle here in Paradise — to give back in this capacity is truly an honour and a privilege.”

Street expressed her gratitude to Bobbett for his two decades of service to the community and wished him the best of luck in his future endeavours. He resigned last Tuesday, a week after being named the Liberal candidate in Topsail-Paradise district.

Council had the option to consider other candidates for mayor by secret ballot but decided to name the deputy mayor to the position.

Meanwhile, outgoing councillor Deborah Quilty, who is not seeking re-election after eight terms on council, was named interim deputy mayor after putting her name forward for the role.

“I am delighted to carry the role of deputy mayor on an outgoing basis,” said Quilty, who expressed her gratitude to her council colleagues, both past and present.
Following the appointments, CAO Lisa Niblock noted that for the first time in the town’s history, the positions of mayor, deputy mayor, CAO, and town clerk, are all held by women.

Following the election, the role of mayor will go to one of two council incumbents — Larry Vaters or Patrick Martin, both of whom have put their name forward for the position.