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David Norris appointed new mayor of North Palm Beach (WD) March 18-24, 1998h Palm Beach Council Meeting 342-981 David Norris appointed new Mayor of North Palm Beach New councilman Ed Eissey appointed President Pro Tem by Denise Jaegers Gall Vastola started out Thursday's council meeting for the last time as mayor, nominating councilman David Norris to take her place. The motion was seconded by new council member Joseph Tringali, and carried 5-0. Councilman Charlie O'Meilia was appointed Vice Mayor, and new council member Ed Eissey was appointed President Pro Tern for the Village. The new officers were sworn in by the Village Clerk, after which there was a shuffling of seats and name plates. After Norris took his new seat, he commended Vastola on her performance for the past year as mayor of the village, thanking her for a job well done. In addition, Norris told the council that he was looking forward to all the changes and improvements to take place in the village during his year as mayor. The Village Finance Director, Shaukat Khan, was also recognised by the council, for receiving the GFOA Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting, for the ninth year in a row. Councilman Eissey jokingly requested that Khan spend some time with his wife in order to improve her bookkeeping efforts on their household account. In other action, council approved a change from the current PPO health network (Florida Health Network) to Dimension PPO Network for the village employee group health plan. Village Manager Dennis Kelly explained to new council members that this came about to save the village money, by paying about $2.50 per employee per month, as opposed to the current cost of $4.50. A little about the new Mayor... Even though this adds more responsibility and takes more time thani being a councilman, Norris says he's looking forward to the next year, with all the projects and rbanges slated to take place in the village. "I grew up here," said Norris in his North Palm Beach law office. "I decided to run for the village council last year because I think this is a great place to grow up and raise a family. I wanted to give something back to the community --to be an asset to the village." Norris says his added duties for the village during the next year will include monitoring the capital, improvements projects (most recently, the new multi- million dollar, public safety facility). Another area that will demand his attention is the business community on Northlake Boulevard and U.S. 1. He and councilman Charlie O'Meilia represent the village's interests by sitting on the Northlake Boulevard Corridor Task Force, a consortium started about three years ago, with the goal of improving the business environment in that area, shared by Lake Park, Palm Beach Gardens and Palm Beach County. Perhaps most importantly of all, Norris wants to focus on the upgrading, updating and renovation of the North Palm Beach Country Club facility and operations. "The Country Club used to h­ the focal point of activities in the of North Palm Beach. Norris grew up In the Village, and wants to give back to the community. PHOTO BY DENISE JAEGERS village 20-30 years ago," said Norris. "We need to get it more as a village operation, encouraging residents to use it more."