Some leadership changes are being seen in the Peace and Mackenzie regions.
In Mackenzie County, Peter F. Braun has been elected as the new Reeve, succeeding 30-year veteran Bill Neufeld. Neufeld stood down from council in this year’s elections after being at the table for the past 37 years.
New Mackenzie County Reeve Peter F. Braun. (Photo/Mackenzie County)
Braun, who has held the Ward 3 (La Crete) seat for the past 13 years, says he does have some big shoes to fill.
“It’s going to be a challenging year,” Braun told the Trending 55 Newsroom. “But I think that it will be rewarding. We have what I believe is a good group of councillors. And if we all work together as a team, I think that we can accomplish a great many things.”
Braun says one of the big issues continuing to face the county is the Caribou.
“That includes the Caribou Conservation Species at risk act,” he said. “We’ve been working hard on it through a committee we’re a part of with other municipalities. And, of course, we will continue to work hard to preserve all the industry we currently have up here in the north.”
He adds that he’s glad there are five more familiar faces he has to work with on council, including Lisa Wardley of Ward 10 (Zama City), who was re-elected to the position of Deputy Reeve.
“It’s very good that she’s continuing,” said Braun. “I appreciate her help, her experience, and her dedication. She’s a very hard worker, and I hope that we can work well as a team.”
We also asked if he was making a 30-year commitment like his predecessor.
“I don’t think so,” laughed Braun. “But in the end, only time will tell.”
Over in Northern Sunrise County, a new but familiar face is taking over the reins of leadership.
Carolyn Kolebaba (right) being sworn in by County Assessor Mike Gagnon for her seventh term as councilor for Ward 1 (Harmon Valley/Reno), Kolebaba also returns to the Reeve’s position in Northern Sunrise County after a three-year absence. (Photo/Peace River Broadcasting)
Carolyn Kolebaba is once again the Reeve, having previously held the post from 2000 until 2014. During the intervening years, she held the post of Deputy Reeve.
Kolebaba discussed what she sees going in in the immediate future.
“Northern Sunrise County is a leader in the region, and I look forward to seeing them lead once again,” said Kolebaba. “We have three new councillors, and so we’re going to work with them to familiarize them with their new role, and the responsibilities that they have now gained.”
She says she’s very pleased to see the mix of new and familiar faces at the table, adding that they all contribute something to the organization.
“(The new councillors) eyes are pretty big right now,” Kolebaba said. “But every new councillor will go through that for the next couple of years, and then they’ll realize the work that goes into running a big operation such as this.”
As well, Ward 4 (St. Isidore) councillor Norm Duval is now the county’s Deputy Reeve. The second-term council member says it’s an honour to have been chosen for the position.
“Anytime that you can step up to be a leader in your community as a Reeve’s and Deputy Reeve’s position, it’s always a great feeling,” said Duval. “I’d like to see everybody working for the same goal, in order to see a successful and well-functioning county.”
The County of Northern Lights also saw a change at the top.
Ward 6 Councillor Terry Ungarian has succeeded Cheryl Anderson, who previously held the post for the past six years.
The seven-year council veteran says that his business as Reeve is always the council’s business as well.
Terry Ungarian is now the new Reeve of the County of Northern Lights. (Photo/County of Northern Lights)
“The council’s plans, as always, are to set a budget that we can work within our means,” Ungarian told the Trending 55 Newsroom. “Of course, probably the biggest project we will see in the next four years is going to be building a regional south waterline from Peace River north up to Dixonville. It’s a huge project for us here in the county.”
He says they hope that bringing potable water to the south side of the county will help out with bringing economic growth to the county.
Ungarian says he has high respect for his predecessor.
“I have high respect for Cheryl,” said Ungarian. “And I still hold her in a high standard as a councillor. She does a good job representing the people in (Ward 1).”
He adds that his job should be a lot easier, with six of seven councillors returning from the previous term, including Brenda Yasinski in Ward 3, who was re-elected to her position as Deputy Reeve.
Ungarian says another goal of this council is collaborating with neighbouring councils within the area.
“That’s always a big item for us,” he said. “And I want to see that continue to go within the right direction.”
The Municipal District (MD) of Peace is set to hold their organizational meeting tonight.
– Posted by BET
