In the 1960's, an element in the community began to express the feeling that forming a local government would help ensure orderly residential development, introduce municipal services and bring some control on farm animals roaming at large.
During the late 1960's, under the guidance of William (Bill) Manning and a committe of citizens, petitions were circulated throughout the town. These petitions did not recieve favourable consideration from most residents.
In 1972, another attempt was made to have a local government accepted. On February 29, a general meeting was held at Holy Trinity High School, chaired by the Hon. Tom Hickey (MHA for St. John's East Extern), accompanied by several officials from the province, outlined the advantages of municipal government. It was the census of those present at the meeting that a committee be formed to further investigate all forms of local government and report their findings and recommendations back to the group at a later meeting. The committee was comprosed of ten representatives: Bob Codner, Don Cole, Bill Manning, Terry Sandford, Donn Ryan, Jim Tague, Bill Walsh and two others.
The committee initially met on March 7 and again on March 14, 1972, and assisted by officials from Municipal Affairs, reviewed several alternate forms of municipal government: Community Council, Town Council and Rural District. After careful deliberation it was the recommendation of the committee that the establishment of a Town Council be considered.
On March 26, 1972 another public meeting was called and the recommendations of the committee were announced. Subsequent to the general meeting, the appointed committee canvassed the whole community with a petition to get a consensus. Out of a total 1120 registered voters, 800 (73%) indicated
their approval of the establishment of a Town Council.
The first elections were held on January 27, 1978 with the result of Bill Manning elected as mayor and the councillors being Neville Codner, Donald Cole, Dennis McGrath, Ron Ryan, Alfred Roche and Terry Sanford.
The History of Torbay
By: Bob Codner 1996
