Severn Township’s 2022-26 term of council was sworn in during its inaugural meeting Wednesday.
Severn council is made up of a mayor, a deputy mayor and five ward councillors.
Here’s what each council member had to say during the inaugural meeting.
“To the residents of Severn, I am honoured and humbled to once again be entrusted as your mayor. To council, congratulations. I look forward to working with you and our staff as we guide Severn for the next four years. To my family, thank you for your hard work. To staff, thank you for making this inaugural so very special.” — Mayor Mike Burkett
“I am extremely excited to be part of this council, and thank you for this honour. I would like to thank my family and my friends for their support. Over the next four years, I know we will work as a team to fulfil our shared commitment to the residents of Severn. Each member of council brings a diverse background of knowledge and experience, and I am thrilled to be working with you. I am so lucky to live in this beautiful community — the quality of life and standard of living is second to none, and no wonder we are being discovered as a wonderful place to live, work, and play. My promise to you is to continue to listen, and to be a caring steward for the next four years.” — Deputy Mayor Judith Cox
“It is an honour to represent Ward 1, and to continue as a member of Severn council. I’d like to thank my family for their continued support for the past 23 years. Our council is made of new, fairly new, and seasoned members. Although there will be many challenges, I am confident that with the leadership of Mayor Burkett and with guidance from our excellent staff, we will be successful.” — Coun. Mark Taylor, Ward 1
“I’d like to thank the residents of Severn, my friends, colleagues, and most importantly my family. Their support gave me the courage to put myself out there, and to share my experience in helping others with my community. My family and I moved to Coldwater a few years ago, and we love living in Severn. I feel that the guidance and experience of this council will allow me to learn and grow quickly so I can be an effective representative for my community. I am happy to be joining this team, and I am proud to be here. I look forward to serving Severn as our Ward 2 councillor.” — Coun. Dan Janssen, Ward 2
“The support of my family has been amazing. I look forward to working with my colleagues at the council table, and continuing to work with the staff. We have a great team at the Township of Severn, and we can do some really great things. We have challenges that we have never faced before, and we may have an uphill road. We have a big job, and I am really looking forward to working on these issues, and it’s great to be part of the Severn team.” — Coun. Phil Brennan, Ward 3
“Thank you to the residents of Ward 4 who have entrusted me to take over the very big job of councillor from Ron Stevens, who has such a lasting legacy. It has been his mentorship that planted the seed that led me to be sitting here today. It’s been great getting to know everyone as a member of council, and I’d like to thank my fellow members for your knowledge, your professionalism, and your confidence in me as I carry the torch forward. And to my family, thank you, as your support means the world to me. I can’t wait for the next four years and for what we can accomplish together.” — Coun. Wanda Minnings, Ward 4
“Thank you to my family, friends, and the residents of Ward 5. I’d like to wish the mayor and deputy mayor all the best as they lead this team forward. If not for the township staff, I may not have returned to this effort. Staff are always there to help, and I know we’ll do the best job we can for the next four years.” — Coun. Jim McIntyre, Ward 5
