Meaford council is now at full strength after a new Mayor, Deputy Mayor and a new councillor were appointed at Monday night's regular meeting.

The new Mayor of the Municipality of Meaford is Francis Richardson (see related story). The appointment of Richardson to the Mayor's chair caused a chain reaction that required further appointments and a flurry of resolutions from council.

"We now have a domino effect," the new Mayor said after officially assuming the Mayor's seat at the council table.

Resolutions immediately came forward to declare the Deputy Mayor's chair vacant and then to appoint councillor Mike Traynor the new Deputy Mayor. Following Traynor's appointment more resolutions were required to declare a councillor's chair vacant.

Former Deputy Mayor and councillor Harley Greenfield was then appointed to the vacant position.

The impeccably dressed Greenfield was observing the proceedings in the public gallery until his appointment was made official.

"I'm very honoured and privileged to be serving as your Deputy Mayor," Traynor said after being officially sworn in. "I want to work with council. We need to get past this time of negativity. We need to move forward so we're not slipping two steps back. I won't let you down," said Traynor.

As Deputy Mayor, Traynor will represent Meaford at Grey County council.

Greenfield rejoins council after a 15-month absence. He ran for the position of Deputy Mayor during the last election, but was defeated in a spirited race with Mayor Richardson. Greenfield served on St. Vincent council for one term and then was elected to two terms on the new amalgamated council first as a councillor, then as Deputy Mayor.

After reading the oath of office and assuming a position at the council table, Greenfield was presented a council package by Clerk Peggy Rouse.

"Is that your speech?" Mayor Richardson jokingly asked Greenfield, who was known for his occasional loquacious speeches at the council table during his previous terms.

"I'm humbled and I appreciate the offer to serve very, very much," said Greefield. "I want to thank the council for putting their trust and faith in me. My sleeves are rolled up and I'm ready to get to work. Let's get at it," said Greenfield.

The new council had a very busy agenda for Monday night's meeting. The remainder of the week will be hectic for council as well. On Tuesday and Wednesday council will hold all day budget meetings in order to whittle away at a forecasted tax increase of 30 per cent in the first draft of the 2008 budget.

Later in the meeting a resolution came forward to appoint councillor Gerald Shortt to the committee positions vacated by former councillor Gunter Neumann. Council decided to defer the resolution in order to examine all committee appointments in light of the changes at the council table.

"There could be a lot of juggling after tonight," commented Deputy Mayor Traynor.

Councillor Shortt agreed that it was wise to take a look at the entire structure.

"We should look at the whole picture. Things are going to change, but we need to follow up quickly to get this structure in place," he said.