PORT HARDY—Mayor Bev Parnham was warmly welcomed back to Council Chambers last week for the regular town council meeting, and a motion passed will ensure that her presence can return to being the standard.
Meeting dates from April to June, with the exception of April 22, will shift from the regular Tuesday night to the prior Monday in order to accommodate Parnham's medical schedule.
Over Christmas, the mayor was struck with necrotising fasciitis, a rapidly progressing infection that resulted in the amputation of her left leg. For the next several months she will require regular trips down-Island for physiotherapy.
"This (change) is to accommodate me," the mayor said ahead of the vote. "I really appreciate it."
A clarification from staff confirmed no conflict with committee meetings but Parnham double-checked with councillors, asking, "Will this create any hardships?"
The councillors voted unanimously to approve the changes.
A list of the new dates, along with a personal update from the mayor, can be found on the District's website, www.porthardy.ca.
Museum
Curator Jane Hutton appeared as a delegate at the meeting, informing council of updates at the museum.
Councillors heard that, on April 26, the doors will open on a new temporary exhibit, Prospecting and Mining on the North Island, with council representatives invited to attend an opening event at 1 p.m. that day.
Progress has also been made on permanent curations, with the extensive photo collection being collated and a cabinet maker commissioned to craft a case to match an existing fossil case.
The gift shop continues to improve, with "a heavy emphasis on First Nations art and local interest books." The shop also carries the acclaimed How a People Live on DVD.
Hutton also put out a call for artifacts to accompany a planned healthcare exhibit.
"It's wonderful to see the turn-around in the gift shop," said the mayor. "You do a wonderful job for us."
"You're a real asset to Port Hardy," Coun. Janet Dorward agreed.