It is now 12 years and counting for the Hanover Councillor from Mitchell.

Bernie Stahn has been elected Deputy Reeve for a 12th consecutive year. The move took place Wednesday at Hanover's inaugural council meeting since the October 24th election.

(Hanover Deputy Reeve Bernie Stahn)"He brings a very stable dynamic to council," says Reeve Stan Toews. "And keeps good rapport on the budget and things like this and he works well with all the members that are there."

Stahn enters his fifth term on council after being acclaimed in last month's election.

Unlike some other municipalities, in Hanover, the position of Deputy Reeve is voted on by councillors through secret ballot. Toews says that is how it was done when he took over as Reeve in 2006 and he has decided to keep it that way.

"I think it's a good way of doing it," he says. "It certainly takes pressure off the Reeve, that can't be accused of favourites. So the council elects their own person in there so they all have a stake in the claim."

Meanwhile, the October 24th election resulted in considerable change around the council table. There are four new councillors after Travis Doerksen defeated incumbent Pete Hiebert in Ward One, Darrin Warkentin knocked off incumbent Gord Meneer in Ward Five and then John Giesbrecht won in Ward Four and Jim Funk was acclaimed in Ward Six.

"It does bring new ideas to the table, which is always great," says Toews.

He adds they are very eager to learn.