Changing of the guard: Wabana elects new mayor for first time in 3 decades
Philip Tobin is the new mayor of Wabana, located on Bell Island. He replaces Gary Gosine, who announced his retirement after 29 years. (Submitted by Philip Tobin)
The next town council meeting in the Bell Island community of Wabana will have a new face in the mayor's chair for the first time in nearly three decades.
Residents elected Philip Tobin as their new mayor earlier this month. Tobin replaces Gary Gosine, who served as mayor for the last 29 years.
Gosine announced his retirement in June after serving the community for 35 years.
Tobin told CBC News he's been able to learn under Gosine for the last three years after entering the community's last municipal election in 2021. He said Gosine is a great mentor and advocate for municipalities in Newfoundland and Labrador.
"Him passing everything on to me has led me to want to be this leader, and want to pick up where he left off for this beautiful community here," Tobin said.
LISTEN | Hear Mayor Philip Tobin's full conversation with St. John's Morning Show host Jen White:
Tobin said being elected on his second attempt was an exciting feeling.
"Three years ago I put my name in the hat and decided I wanted to give more back to my community and contribute more," he said. "It's great, I feel a little shocked here."
The town also elected Lois Vokey as a new councillor on Tuesday.
Tobin said he's eager to work on issues Gosine pushed for, including repairing the town's roads and clean drinking water. The town is currently in the fourth phase of a large-scale water project, he said, which will give clean drinking water to 60 per cent of households when completed.
The town is also continuing work to ensure the Legionnaire — the provincially-owned ferry that connects Bell Island to Portugal Cove-St. Philip's — maintains consistent service.
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