Bible Hill, NS
The Village of Bible Hill has hired Mitchell Bell as the new clerk and treasurer.
After long serving clerk and treasurer Bob Christianson announced plans to retire, the village worked with a professional recruitment firm to screen candidates to replace him.
Bell, 28, a chartered accountant, had also been serving as a village commissioner since September 2016. He took over the clerk-treasurer position on July 23, but Christianson will be around for a while to share some knowledge.
“I was ecstatic when I heard I was chosen,” said Bell.
“I always wanted to work for a local organization, using my professional skill set. Now I can use my skills, on a full time basis, for the betterment of the community.”
He said he enjoyed being a member of the commission.
“It is slightly unusual that a current village commissioner was selected for the position, but the responsible and professional recruitment process ensured that the most qualified candidate was hired,” said Lois MacCormick, chair of the commission.
“The new village clerk and treasurer has shown a keen interest in many aspects of the position during his term as commissioner, and through the interview process he demonstrated an excellent understanding of the scope of the position.”
Since Bible Hill was incorporated in 1953, there have long been two clerk-treasurers.
Christianson held the position for 31 years.
Bell grew up in North River and has been living in Bible Hill about four years.
“Bible Hill has been very much a home to me for my whole life,” he said. “My mother and her sisters grew up here, my grandparents lived in Bible Hill and I was fortunate enough to know most of my great-grandparents for a number of years, all living in Bible Hill.
“My great-grandfather, James Soy, M.C. ran a lumber business in Bible Hill, was a charter member of the Bible Hill Fire Commission and was in attendance and endorsed a note at the Rockwell Building meeting to purchase Bible Hill's first tanker truck in the 1940s. He later served as a commissioner of the then recently (1953) created Village of Bible Hill from 1956 - 59.”
In his spare time, Bell enjoys four-wheeling and walking with his dog.
Because he has been hired by the village, he had to resign from the commission. The seat on the commission must be filled within a set amount of time, so another election will be taking place. Election day will be August 18, with the advance poll on August 14.
