Mayor Pam Mood
In Office: 2012 – present
Pam is now serving her fourth term as the Mayor of what she describes as the best piece of real estate on earth – Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. In 1984, after graduating from Acadia University with a Political Science Degree, Pam joined the RCMP as a Civilian Member and did training in Regina for her position with the Yarmouth Drug Section. She left in 2001 after 18 years of service and opened her company, Mood Consulting. Pam began her Masters of Divinity at Asbury Theological Seminary out of Kentucky and spent many years as women's ministries leader in her hometown church. Pam is a professional speaker and leadership expert who delivers workshops and keynotes internationally on topics such as leadership, communications, community engagement and more. A firm believer in the power of positive leadership in turning things around, Pam stepped up to run for the Mayor’s seat in 2012 and is humbled and honoured to serve the community she believes so much in. Pam is married to Joe and they have three grown children.
Current Committee Appointments
100 Women Who Care, Founding Member
Board of Directors, Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
Committee of the Whole
FCM Municipal Finance & Intergovernmental Arrangements
FCM Municipal Infrastructure & Transportation Policy
Mariners Centre Expansion
Mayor’s Task Team, Chair
MIT-REAP (Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program), Team Lead
One Nova Scotia – 2nd Five Years
Planning Advisory
Police Advisory
REMO Executive Committee
Rural Innovation District, Chair
Sister City Advisory Committee
Yarmouth & Area Chamber of Commerce (Honorary Member)
Yarmouth & Area Industrial Commission
Yarmouth Recreation
Expenses
Contact Information
Cell: (902) 749-6442
Office: (902) 742-8565
Email: mayor.mood@townofyarmouth.ca
Facebook: Mayor Pam Mood
Twitter: @PamMood
Councillor Derek Lesser
In Office: First Elected 2020
Elected to Council in October 2020, and again in 2024, this is Derek's second term serving as Councillor for the Town of Yarmouth. Derek has previously served on the Town’s Technology Committee as a citizen. Derek and his wife, Francine, live in town and have three grown children (Danny, Janell and Julia) together and two grandchildren (Ryder and Parleigh). Derek is involved in lots of local activities including coaching volleyball, Western Region Cancer Support Network, restorative justice and provincially with the Public School Administrators Association of NS as a board member and past regional rep with Volleyball Nova Scotia.
Derek has worked as a teacher, resource teacher, guidance counsellor, Vice Principal and currently is the Coordinator of Community Learning and International Services for the TCRCE. Derek is a lifelong learner having obtained three masters degrees in counselling, technology and administration/leadership.
“I am honoured and feel blessed to have earned the trust of the people in Yarmouth and promise to work hard over the next four years and communicate, with transparency, with the public on the work we are getting done”
Committee/Board Appointments
Accessibility Advisory Committee
Audit Committee
Committee of the Whole
Communities in Bloom
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Police Advisory Board
Public Transit
Substance Use Awareness Partnership
Mariners Centre Nominating Committee
Contact Information
Cell: (902) 774-2703
Email: derek.lesser@townofyarmouth.ca
Councillor Belle Hatfield
In Office: Elected September 18th, 2021 - present
Belle first joined the council table after a special election in September 2021, called to fill the vacancy left by the death of Councillor and former Deputy Mayor Jim MacLeod. She was elected to council again in 2024. She is a lifelong resident of Yarmouth.
She is a journalist and told the stories of this community for 30 years in the pages of The Yarmouth Vanguard newspaper, working with her late husband Fred. Her work has earned dozens of national writing awards. Her six-part series on child sexual abuse earned the newspaper national recognition for outstanding community service (Michener Awards) in 1991. She gained management experience during a five-year stint as Public Relations Manager for Western Counties Regional Library. Prior to her career in journalism, she counselled nursing mothers, parlaying her own experience as a teen mother to connect with young mothers at risk.
Belle has a background in health governance and policy, having served as a board member on both the Provincial Medical Board (Nova Scotia College of Physicians and Surgeons) and the Nova Scotia Health Authority’s Patient, Family and Public Advisory Council. In her retirement, she has served in a number of volunteer capacities including the Tri-County Local Food Network, the Sara Corning Society, the Yarmouth Music Society and the Yarmouth Facade Society.
She served as a patient representative on the Nova Scotia Health Authority’s COVID Network, which advised the executive leadership team that sets policy for managing the province’s health system during the pandemic. She is a co-founder and chair of Hear! Here! Society, a musical presenters group that produces classical and jazz music concerts. Belle has two adult daughters, Samantha and Laura, and two grandchildren. Her daughter Sarah died in infancy.
Current Committee Appointments
Audit Committee
Committee of the Whole
Planning Advisory Committee
Doctor Recruitment
Heritage Advisory
Mariners Centre Nominating Committee
Yarmouth & Area Industrial Commission
Solid Waste Park
Waste Check
Western Counties Regional Library Board
Contact Information
Councillor Gil Dares
In Office: First Elected 2020
This is Gil's second consecutive term on Town Council, having been elected in 2020 and again in 2024. Gil is no stranger to community involvement and leadership. Gil has served on numerous boards and committees and continues to represent Yarmouth as a director of regional and provincial organizations.
Following a career in the RCMP, Gil was engaged as the General Manager of the Mariners Centre for 10 years. His commitment to the community has been recognized at the provincial, national and international levels. His knowledge of municipal politics has certainly been enhanced by the fact that his spouse served on Town Council for 21 consecutive years.
Gil has championed a variety of causes and looks forward to participating in discussions and decisions that will make Yarmouth the very best that it can be.
Current Committee Appointments
Committee of the Whole
Communities in Bloom
Deer Management Strategy Working Group
Heritage Advisory
Mariners Centre Expansion
Planning Advisory
Solid Waste Park
Waste Check
WREN LOC
Yarmouth Airport Corporation
Contact Information
Cell: 902-740-5125
Email: Gil.Dares@townofyarmouth.ca
Councillor Wade Cleveland
In Office: 2016 - present
Wade was first elected to Council in October 2016, again in 2020, and is now serving his third term as Councillor for the Town of Yarmouth, having won a seat in 2024. Wade has previously served on the Town’s Planning Advisory Committee as a citizen and continues to serve now as a Council member.
Wade is involved in many local projects including The World Junior Hockey Tournaments, Nova Scotia Music Week and Yarmouth Mariners Hockey. He was also the past President of Four Corners Housing Co-op.
Current Committee Appointments
Audit Committee
Committee of the Whole
Deer Management Strategy Working Group
Lake George Watershed
Planning Advisory
Yarmouth Water Utility
UNESCO Biosphere
YASTA
Contact Information
Phone: (902) 774-2943 (cell)
Email: councillor.cleveland@townofyarmouth.ca
Facebook: Wade Cleveland
LinkedIn: Wade Cleveland