Waterloo welcomes new mayor, WRDSB picks chairperson at inaugural meetings
Posted Nov 22, 2022 12:40:00 PM.
New faces were welcomed in Waterloo, the local public school board, and in Kitchener at inaugural meetings held Monday night.
After winning a tight race in Waterloo for mayor, Dorothy McCabe spoke to city council for the first time.
She said she was “more than excited” to work with her colleagues, city staff, and the community to lead Waterloo towards a better future.
“As good as life is for many people in Waterloo, life today is also challenging, difficult, and precarious for far too many in our community. We must work with urgency to make their lives better,” she told councillors.
McCabe named homelessness, housing, and climate change as some of the biggest issues for the city.
“We face global challenges, economic uncertainty, and affordability challenges. There are far too many in our community who are unhoused and homeless, and who need supportive and affordable housing. The need is urgent and winter is upon us,” she said.
McCabe's mother also made an appearance at the meeting to read a poem called, On Leadership.
“It contains helpful suggestions for Dorothy to follow,” she told the room of laughing Waterloo councillors.
“May you have the grace and wisdom to act kindly, learning to distinguish between what is personal and what is not. May you be hospitable to criticism. May you never put yourself at the centre of things. May you act not from arrogance, but out of service,” she recited.
Meantime, leadership decisions were made at the Waterloo Region District School Board meeting.
The board chose Joanne Weston as its chairperson.
Weston has been a trustee for Kitchener since 2018 and has held the title in the past.
Kathleen Woodcock was picked again as vice-chair.
Kitchener city council also officially welcomed Mayor Berry Vrbanovic back for a third term at its inaugural meeting.
My Mom read Irish poet John O'Donohue's poem, On Leadership, from the Book of Blessings as part of the City of Waterloo's 2022 to 2026 Inaugural Meeting.
My heart is full. ❤ pic.twitter.com/scmd9PIfCO— Dorothy McCabe (she/her) (@DorothyMcCabe) November 22, 2022
