TERZIANO JUMPS INTO FIRE STORM AS NEW HUNTSVILLE MAYOR

HUNTSVILLE — Huntsville’s future takes a new turn for 2020, with a new mayor and controversy.

After much debate among the public and little at the council table, councillors rubber-stamped deputy and interim mayor Karin Terziano’s application for the top job in town.

At special council meeting Monday, Dec. 17, she was sworn in by former mayor and new MP Scott Aitchison for the remainder of the 2018-2022 term.

Terziano was acclaimed as Huntsville ward councillor in the 2018 municipal election and recently put her name forward to fill the vacancy for the mayor’s position.

No other candidates sought the office, despite fellow councillor Tim Withey expressing an interest early on.

But after a public support, during consideration, showed Terziano was favoured, councillors backed her at the end.

Council later declared Terziano seat vacant at the regular council meeting at 6 p.m., where she presided over her first meeting.

The mayor’s chair was declared vacant Nov. 12 after Aitchison resigned following his win in the federal election.

Meanwhile, in her first meeting, Terziano had to deal with an ethics complaint against another fellow councillor.

Brian Thompson was reprimanded after report emerged that he had made vulgar comments to Hunter’s Bay Radio director Grant Nichalls about manager Jeff Carter’s alleged support for Withey over what Withey says was his support for one hospital over two.

Thompson’s text that read: “Grant, We should chat soon before HBR becomes the mouthpiece for TW. Jeff would likely blow TW just to be part of the ongoing tempest in a teapot.”

Thompson was an early sales affiliate of HBR.

As well, the town will have to find a new fire chief, after Steve Hernen announced he is stepping down after 35 years with the service. He joined at age 20.