It’s all about moving ahead says Westlock County reeve Lou Hall as she moves into her second year as head elected official of the municipality.
Hall will remain reeve after an Oct. 23 organizational meeting saw no other councillors put their names forward. Brian Coleman also retained his position as deputy reeve.
“We’re moving ahead,” said Hall. “Council is reorganized again and is moving ahead. We’re heading into year No. 2 having learned a lot in year No 1. It’s good.”
Prior to the organizational meeting Hall presented her Year in Review report at council’s regular meeting, sharing some of the highlights.
“I have learned that Westlock County is unique in so many ways, but the same in so many other ways as other jurisdictions,” she said after the meetings.
Besides bridges, culverts, roads and gravel, she mentioned the Municipal Inspection Report that was signed off on by the minister in spring 2018; the regional collaboration study completed by TSI; council’s first open house; and agreements regarding the Tawatinaw Valley Ski Hill and the airport, as just a few of the highlights.
She was also thrilled to attend so many conferences and training sessions on behalf of the county.
“It’s so interesting because as reeve I go to these meetings with other mayors and reeves. We go to RMA (Rural Municipalities of Alberta) twice a year and hear these things and think ‘I’m glad I live in this county.’ We may not have some of the bells and whistles that some of the bigger ones have , but we’re in good shape,” Hall said.
It has been an eventful year, she said, pointing out working with elected officials in neighbouring municipalities as a particular highlight, especially the very first tri-council Christmas event and the resumption of joint services committee meetings.
She also noted the State of Local Emergency that was declared this spring due to overland flooding, the Alberta Trappers Association AGM and Rendezvous and, of course, the celebration of the county’s 75th anniversary since incorporation this summer.
She admits there has been a steep learning curve for all of council in the first year as the 2017 municipal election saw six first-time councillors voted into office, with only one returning councillor.
“If I’ve learned anything in the past year it’s learning to listen and to work with people and try to make everything as good as can be,” said Hall.
“I’ve also learned to appreciate council. They’re very diverse and they all bring something to the table.
“Even when someone doesn’t agree we take the time to listen and try to work with whoever is on the opposite end and it comes out in a positive way.”
It’s important to have that opposition so as many ideas as possible can be heard, she said.
“I don’t think there are any hard feelings. Everybody is supportive and respectful and trying to get through it. Some are very passionate about what they’re doing and that’s a good thing. You need to have that opposition as well in some things,” she said.
“Let’s keep moving forward. Let’s keep being positive and moving forward.”
