Yellowknife councillor Adrian Bell was appointed deputy mayor during Monday night’s council meeting.
Bell replaces councillor Rebecca Alty, who had filled the position since November of last year after earning more votes than anyone else during October’s municipal election.
Ahead of Monday’s meeting, committee recommended Bell for the title after Alty announced she’d be stepping down because of travel obligations with a new employer.
“I’d just like to thank everybody for their support since last November,” Alty told her colleagues. “Unfortunately, due to my travel schedule with work, I’ll be stepping down. I know councillor Bell will do a great job.”
The deputy mayor position is largely ceremonial, but is responsible for representing the mayor whenever they’re not available.
The position is also responsible for chairing council and municipal services committee meetings whenever the mayor is absent.
Bell brings a wealth of experience to the position. He’s sat on city council since 2012, has lived in Yellowknife for over 30 years and has been a small business owner in the community for two decades.
