Patrick Johnstone is laying the groundwork for his role as mayor.
Johnstone topped the polls in the three-person mayor’s race in New Westminster in the Oct. 15 civic election. The mayor-elect, as well as councillors-elect, will be sworn in at the Nov. 7 inaugural meeting.
Johnstone said he’s spoken with several mayors around the region and has been setting up meetings. He’s also been in contact with some of the councillors-elect.
“I've had a few meetings with staff, just to sort of figure out what steps come next as far as transition, as far as getting to inauguration, the work that we have to get done before inauguration,” he said.
Johnstone said he hasn’t moved in to his new office at city hall. He noted that Jonathan Cote is still working on behalf of the city.
“We still have a mayor until Nov. 7. He is in his office … and he's still doing work,” he said. “They still have Metro (Vancouver) board meetings. He still has work to do.”
As has been the case during his two terms on council, Johnstone said council will meet at the beginning of the term to put together a strategic plan. (The strategic plans map out council’s goals for its four-year term in office.)
“I hope to do the same thing again. But I don't know what the timing of that looks like yet,” Johnstone said. “We've got to get through some budget work, like between now and January, and some capital and operational budget work, so that we can at least maintain some continuity. And then we'll have to sit down and talk about strategic planning and what comes next.”
Johnstone said council will also have to determine what committees the various council members will serve on.
As mayor, Johnstone will also take on the role as chair of the New Westminster Police Board.
“I had a sit-down with the chief of police and talked a little bit about when the next meetings are happening,” he told the Record Oct. 20. “I believe the existing police board has at least one more meeting before inauguration.”
