Belville commissioners say ‘goodbye’ to two leaders
BELVILLE, NC (WWAY) – Two seats now sit open on the town of Belville commission.
A death and a resignation now leave big holes to fill.
Belville leaders tonight met and elected a new mayor pro tem while also having to take a moment in memoriam of another who passed away over the weekend.
“I love this town,” said Joe Breault. “I love the opportunities here. I love working with the people we have. This is a very very hard decision.”
Former Mayor Pro Tem Joe Breault is leaving for health reasons. He will be moving out-of-state with his family. His departure coming as his colleague Donna Schardien passed away Friday battling cancer.
“She was a strong advocate for everything that was happening here in the town. She is going to be sorely missed.”
Three new commissioners will govern Belville by the end of this year. Commissioner Pat O’Bryant had to resign in the winter for family reasons. He was replaced by Kent Goodman. Mayor Mike Allen saying the town is in a tight spot but can continue their progress.
“Our goals and our projects are already pretty much locked in,” said the Mayor. “But we need those other two board members to function the way a town should function.”
He admits it will be hard to regain the momentum of growth Breault and Schardien achieved while on the board. Both commission members spear-headed the town’s most recent major developments in the river walk and the town hall.
Allen and the outgoing Breault remain hopeful.
“Because we’ve done so much,” said Breault. “Because we’ve restored the civic pride, because now people know Belville, they’re proud to say they’re from Belville which was not the case five or six years ago. I think the opportunity for people to step up will be far greater.”
Noreen Slattery was sworn in as the new mayor pro tem and commissioner Goodman will take over as the parks and rec liaison for the commission.
