MLA swears in new council

County CAO Debbie Oyarzun says it is a relief to be working with an intact council.

Oyarzun made her comments following the County of Barrhead’s organizational meeting Oct. 25, noting residents should take pride in the fact, considering the changes to councils in other communities. In addition to Ron Kleinfeldt, Doug Drozd, Darrell Troock, Marvin Schatz and Dennis Nanninga were elected by acclamation and newcomer Walter Preugschas, who replaces retired Coun. Bill Lee for Division 6, Coun. Bill Lane won re-election Oct. 16, 250 votes to 105 for challenger Ron Barton. By comparison, neighbouring counties of Lac Ste. Anne and Woodlands are largely new councils with few returning faces.

Barrhead-Westlock-Morinville MLA Glenn van Dijken was there to officiate the swearing-in ceremony of the new council and said he appreciated the county’s participation in the democratic process.

“Functioning municipalities within the province have helped make Alberta the great province it is,” van Dijken told council, noting that each person in the room now has a role to play in ensuring that the county moves forward.

“Standing for public office can mean personal sacrifices for you and your families but it can also be rewarding, knowing that you are helping to lead your residents into the future and that you are helping to bring about their wishes for the future of your county,” he added.

Committing to serving the people of the county with ‘due-diligence, faith and all-ability’ to properly execute the office of councillor for the county, the seven-member chamber swore an oath, signed their names to the declaration and shook hands with van Dijken.

Drozd, who faced no opposition for the position of reeve, was once again re-elected and Nanninga replaces Lee as deputy reeve.

“These are some exciting times ahead of us, no doubt, but I am confident that we have a good, strong council and that we will work hard together to get things done,” Drozd said, adding he appreciated the presence of an ‘official’ official to preside over the ceremony.

For his part, Nanninga said he appreciated his fellow councillors support.

In addition to the swearing-in, Oyarzun highlighted important documentation that is required reading for new councillors and explained how the process of municipal governance worked, for Preugschas’ benefit.

“All of our meetings are required to be in public but under legislation in the Municipal Government Act and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, we do have the ability to move in-camera to discuss certain items there,” Oyarzun said, noting that while no resolutions or motions can be made during in-camera sessions, her office would work hard to ensure matters would be discussed where appropriate.

“There will be a lot of ongoing training and orientation, a lot of reading for Walter but it felt a little odd to me to just hand out a package like [the one Preugschas and other councillors received] that and not do some form of orientation. You’ve all been here other than our new councillor in Division 6 but as we progress through the next four years, there will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions.”

Under changes expected in the modernized MGA, Oyarzun said council is required to have a code-of-conduct bylaw and noted the county passed theirs in September.

“Article 12 of the bylaw, however, requires that the document be reviewed annually and council’s signatures to keep it fresh,” Oyarzun said, noting for this reason it was brought forward to the meeting.

The last portion of the organizational meeting dealt with divvying up the responsibilities of the various boards and committees councillors sit on.

In the majority of cases, only one councillor is required for a particular board and those who previously sat in on those meetings — Schatz and Nanninga for the Seed Cleaning Co-op Ltd. board, Troock for the Barrhead and District Social Housing Association and Kleinfeldt on the library boards.

However, Preugschas will be taking a more active role as the vice-chair of the Agriculture Service Board (Schatz is chair), a member of the Barrhead &District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) board, the Economic Development and Community Development board, the Twinning Committee and as an alternate for Growth Alberta.

Lane was appointed to the Public Relations committee.

In addition, Nanninga will no longer be serving on the Barrhead Fire Services committee and instead, Troock will be joined by Schatz.

Though nominated, Nanninga said he ‘no longer had any fire left in his belly’ and withdrew his name for consideration.

Linda West was re-appointed Returning Officer for the county under Section 13(1) of the Local Authorities Election Act.