Beres seeking Deputy Mayor position
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When Dave Beres accepted the nomination as interim Mayor of Tillsonburg at a special council meeting on May 2, he was directly asked by a Councillor whether he intended to run for Mayor in the upcoming fall municipal elections.
Beres was clear and concise in his response.
"No," Beres replied.
But the five-term council veteran said he would be seeking a position on council. He just wasn't going to announce it at that time.
Late last week, Beres announced he would be running Deputy Mayor.
"When I accepted the nomination for interim Mayor in May of this year, Council was aware I would not be seeking the Mayor's position in the fall election, however as Deputy Mayor, I would work closely with the new Mayor sharing current issues and contact information as well a facilitating the meetings in his/her absence," said Beres earlier this week.
After serving five terms on Council, plus interacting with many people through business, Beres feels he can bring continuity and experience to the success the Town of Tillsonburg has experienced over the past years, as well as the benefit of contacts made during his tenure as Mayor in 2014.
"The pressing issue for the immediate future is restructuring the Hydro Utility. At the June 23rd meeting, Tillsonburg Council had decided not to sell or merge the utility for the present time. Serving on the Board of Directors for THI, I feel the Board can bring forward a plan for continued profit while keeping the rates and services to an acceptable level. In addition, there are many on-going projects which need completing and I'm involved in all of them.
"People choose to call Tillsonburg their home for various reasons. In my opinion, maintaining a safe community with lots of services and opportunity is the base for future growth and development."
At the May meeting, Beres noted he has "a good working relationship with the present council, with the town staff, and the current issues," and a working relationship with local businesses through his own business.
"And above all, a respectful relationship with the people of Tillsonburg.
"During this interim I am going to ask all of my fellow councillors to share many of the responsibilities and decision making, both here in town and at county council," said Beres, stressing the importance of teamwork. "I do not have a personal agenda. I'd like to see council continue the good work that it has in the last three-and-a-half years until the end of the term."