Enterprise (Jan 15/07) - Enterprise has a new mayor.

The settlement council acclaimed Dave Richards to the post for 2007, following the Jan. 5 swearing-in ceremonies for three councillors elected in December.

Winnie Cadieux vacates the mayor's chair in Enterprise for Dave Richards, just after he was acclaimed to the position by the settlement council on Jan. 5. - NNSL file photo

Richards replaces Winnie Cadieux, who had been mayor on and off over the past 15 years, including the past eight.

"My first priority is to have our council working together as a team," Richards said.

Over the years, municipal politics in the community of just 90 has sometimes been contentious and personal, but Richards would not say the community is divided. Instead, he called the situation differences of opinion.

The new mayor said a major focus will be to keep residents informed. "And to make sure they have the opportunity for input on the decision-making process."

Richards, Cadieux and Don Ironside were elected to two-year terms on the six-member council in December.

In those elections, Richards was the top vote-getter. Cadieux tied for the third seat available, and won it in a random draw.

Cadieux said the election results convinced her it was a time for a new mayor.

"The message from the election was the community wanted a change, and I respected that," she said, adding she is looking forward to serving as a councillor.

"I'm not disappointed not to be mayor," she added.

The 43-year-old Richards, who was born in Alberta and raised in B.C., has lived in Enterprise since 1996.

He briefly served on council in 1999, but resigned when he was hired by the settlement as a maintenance worker.

Richards now works as a driver examiner with the Department of Transportation in Hay River.

The new mayor is technically known as chairperson of the council.

Ironside was acclaimed the settlement's new vice-chairperson.