Milestones 2019 2019 | Page 6

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all MD employees and administrative staff for their steadfast commitment to the Council members and communities of our great rugged-and-real municipality. MURRAY KERIK Reeve 06 [email protected] 780.349.0518 INTERVIEW WITH YOUR REEVE Q: How has this new Council term differed from the others? “The Council we have now makes me very proud to be involved. Each member contributes to discussions in Council chambers with an honest, intent focus on making good decisions. We don’t always agree on everything, but once a motion is passed, we all support it.” Q: What have you helped accomplish this term as Reeve? “This first part of the term has involved wrapping up many of the MD’s legacy recovery programs while dealing with emerging issues like the flooding we’ve seen in the communities of Eating Creek and Marten Beach.” Q: How have your Community Council sessions been received by the public? “These sessions have been well-received by the community members who have attended. When we bring Council sessions into the hamlets, the atmosphere is casual, and agendas are largely focused on the host community. We plan to continue these Community Council sessions on an ongoing basis, and we’d like to foster even stronger public attendance. We welcome all comers, from the idly curious to those wishing to participate.” Q: Are there any issues Council is focused on this year in particular? “Our MD has exceptional potential. At the Council table, we need to ensure this potential can be easily tapped into. This means facilitating growth and diversification by way of land use planning — the rules of which are reflected in our Land Use Bylaw. We continue to push for Land Use Policy review, and we’re making decent progress. At some point soon we will be engaging the public for their valued input on this issue.”