Mayor Kelli Hawtin takes her oath from Judge Michelle Baldwin on Dec. 2. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Swearing In

New N. Battleford council sworn in with Hawtin at helm

Dec 2, 2024 | 8:51 PM

For the first time since North Battleford was incorporated as a city in 1913, a woman officially took the mayoral seat in the centre of the council table.

New Councillor Rodney Fedler takes his oath from Judge Michelle Baldwin on Dec. 2. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“I’m ready to get to work to be honest,” said Mayor Kelli Hawtin, following the swearing in ceremony on Mon., Dec. 2.

Councillor Thomas (Bill) Ironstand takes his oath from Judge Michelle Baldwin on Dec. 2. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The first regular council will meet next week with an ambitious agenda and Hawtin said even though it may be a slower start due to Christmas, the council is ready.

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“It feels good, it feels right, I’m really honoured to serve our community, I’m especially honoured to have the title of the first female mayor of North Battleford.”

Councillor Greg Lightfoot takes his oath from Judge Michelle Baldwin on Dec. 2. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

To kick things off, former Mayor David Gillan presided over the land acknowledgement before City Manager Randy Patrick introduced the councillors and mayor elect.

“This is something city managers tend to do, we get one moment in the spotlight – this is it,” he said.

Councillor Kent Lindgren takes his oath from Judge Michelle Baldwin on Dec. 2. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Finally, Hawtin and the newly elected and reelected councillors Rodney Fedler, Thomas (Bill) Ironstand, Greg Lightfoot, Kent Lindgren, Ross MacAngus and Dennis Mercer swore their oaths of office to Judge Michelle Baldwin.

Councillor Ross MacAngus takes his oath from Judge Michelle Baldwin on Dec. 2. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Following the cermony, as the judge spoke with the madam mayor, she was overheard saying it was a pleasure and an honour to be swearing in the first woman – and only woman – to hold the office in the city’s 111-year history.

New Councillor Dennis Mercer takes his oath from Judge Michelle Baldwin on Dec. 2. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“I’ve got two little girls at home and my little girls got to see that a woman can do this kind of work,” Hawtin said.

“If that’s one accomplishment we can have is that our girls and women in the community can see themselves in these kinds of roles, I think that’s well served.”

As the result of their mother taking on the role, Hawtin said her daughters are actually having conversations and aspiring to be more than what was traditionally acceptable.

The newly elected council take their seats in North Battleford. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“My oldest – well, she used to refer to herself as a junior councillor in North Battleford, but now she gets to hold the title of self-appointed junior mayor,” she said with a smile.

“She’s pretty excited about that kind of stuff and you know it’s really neat because when you see little people that can see, ‘Hey, we get to make big decisions too one day, this is important, this is important work. It’s important to shape your community, Its important to be involved.’”

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