Five sworn in last week

There is a new Mayor and four new Council members on the Town of Whitehall governing body.

At a special meeting Jan. 3, Council members Barbara Gagnon, Katy James, Jason Good and Montina Rawson, and Mayor Mary Janacaro-Hensleigh were sworn into their positions.

At the start of the meeting, Janacaro-Hensleigh addressed what she said were a lot of questions and concerns about the position of James on the Council. Janacaro-Hensleigh said Jefferson County Election Administrator Bonnie Ramey certified James for the position. The new Mayor told Council and the audience that if there are questions as to whether or not James lives in Ward 1, there is a legal process they can pursue if they have a problem with her being on the Council. Janacaro-Hensleigh said if it is determined James is not eligible, she would be removed, but until that happens she felt it was important to swear her in and follow the process laid out to her.

Janacaro-Hensleigh also discussed with the governing body about going to as many public events as possible. She said it is important to support the community, as well as listening to residents and being able to talk to them in a one-on-one situation. She said it’s also important to always be receptive to people and to treat each other with respect, adding you are not always going to agree with someone, but listen to what they have to say.

“We are here to serve the people and do what’s best for the whole town,” she said.

The two remaining members from 2017 on the Council are Francine Giono-Janik and Gary Housman.