Members of Sundre's new council were officially sworn in last week.
Incumbent Mayor Terry Leslie was the first to recite the words, "I do swear that I will diligently, faithfully and to the best of my ability execute according to law the office of mayor for the Town of Sundre," during the Oct. 23 meeting.
Cheri Funke, Todd Dalke, Rob Wolfe, Richard Warnock and Paul Isaac subsequently took turns swearing their oaths as councillors.
Absent was Charlene Preston, who in anticipation of the impending organizational meeting prepared written requests to sit on certain committees and also included a vote for deputy mayor ó a position that Warnock, Isaac and Funke volunteered for.
"I would be honoured to be deputy mayor for the Town of Sundre. I have the time to do that job," said Warnock.
"I will leave it up to the council but I do believe that I am a good candidate."
Funke also said she has the time to dedicate to the role and further elaborated her reasons for volunteering for the position.
"I have knowledge of the current issues that our community is facing and I've formed some relationships with county councillors and our MLA that I think would be an asset," she said.
After Isaac also said he would be interested in the position, council voted by secret ballot, leading to a tie between Funke and Warnock. A second round resulted in another draw and Preston's vote provided the tiebreaker.
"Your next deputy mayor is Cheri Funke," said Linda Nelson, chief administrative officer, followed by applause from council.
As part of the organizational meeting, council also discussed signing authorities and meeting dates over the coming year, largely settling on a consensus to meet three Mondays a month ó with exception to statutory holidays ó with plans to also meet a couple of times during the summer to conduct the municipality's business.
Members of council were also appointed to the numerous boards and committees the municipality has representation on.
