Wednesday, August 30, 2023 Vol. 46, No. 35
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Swearing in ceremony for new Viking Mayor, Councillor Patricia Harcourt Editor
A swearing-in ceremony took place in Viking Council Chambers on Thursday, August 24, giving council its full complement of five members once again. Taking their oaths of office were James Buttner for mayor and Julianna Merta for town councillor with Cpl. Jeremy Houle of the Viking RCMP Detachment performing the service. Both Buttner and Merta were elected by acclamation following nomination day 10 days earlier on August 14. Council has had to run on only three councillors since the resignation of former mayor Laura Yakiwchuk last spring and, more recently, the resignation of Buttner to pave the way for his running for the mayor’s job. An election for another councillor was added to the by-election list when Buttner left council to run for mayor. At the nomination day closing, only two people had put their names forward for positions. This meant Buttner was in by acclamation for mayor and Julianna Merta, who has never served on council before, is the new councillor replacing Buttner. Council now has five members, the full complement, which also includes councillors Dana Ewashko (deputy mayor), Clint Nearing, and Cindy Lefsrud. Ewashko and Nearing also came onto council after a by-election held last year after other councillor resignations. After this latest swearing-in August 24, the entire council went into closed session to discuss the new beginnings upon which they were entering and issues requiring updates and explanation. The first regular meeting of Viking Council is scheduled for Monday, September 18, as council held an early meeting this month on Monday, August 14.
Julianna Merta is congratulated by Viking RCMP Acting Commander Cpl. Jeremy Houle, who had just completed the swearing in ceremony for Merta to become a newly acclaimed town councillor.
Newly sworn-in Viking Mayor James Buttner (left) is congratulated by Cpl. Jeremy Houle, acting commander of Viking RCMP, who performed the ceremony Aug. 24.