With some pomp and ceremony and a few words of wisdom from the past, Petrolia’s new council began its four years in office Tuesday.

The new council was sworn in at town hall with the sound of bagpipes and a short speech from the Town Crier. 

Mayor Brad Loosley urged the new council “work together as a team for the betterment and well being of the community.” New councillors, like Chad Hyatt, were eager to begin. “I sit here nervously, but I’m very excited for what I’m going to learn …And I’m ready to dive right in headfirst.”

The longest serving member of council, Ross O’Hara, began his 27th year of municipal service and noted “we’ve got a lot of things on the plate to deal with and I’m sure we will do well.”

And returning Councillor Liz Welsh said a few brief words of thanks and then invoked the words of her friend,  the late Councillor Mary Pat Gleeson; “Off we go.”