The 2017-21 Peace River Council. From L to R: Peace Regional RCMP Staff Sgt. Brent Meyer, Councillors Colin Needham, Byron Schamehorn and Orren Ford, Mayor Tom Tarpey, Deputy Mayor Elaine Manzer, Town CAO Chris Parker, and Councillors Johanna Downing and Don Good. (Photo/Peace River Broadcasting)
The council members for the 2017-21 term in the Town of Peace River have been sworn in.
Four members, including the mayor, were also on the previous council. Another is making a return after a seven-year absence, while two are on for the first time.
At the age of 34, newcomer Byron Schamehorn is the youngest member of the new council to take the oath of office.
Schamehorn, who also works as a teacher at T.A. Norris Middle School, told the Trending 55 Newsroom that he’s excited to be sitting at the table.
“There are lots to learn and lots to read,” said Schamehorn after the organizational meeting. “But it’s a great group so far, and the calendar is filling up so far, which is good, as I like going to meetings. Being busy is great, and I’m looking forward to getting right to work, getting things done, and seeing Peace River grow as a result.”
Freshman Councillor Byron Schamehorn (Right) is being sworn in, with Corporate Services Director Greg Towne and RCMP Staff Sgt. Brent Meyer looking. At 34, Schamehorn is the youngest member of the new council. (Photo/Peace River Broadcasting)
He adds that the learning curve can be quite a steep one in some areas.
“Most of the committees I decided to volunteer for are ones that required more than one person,” Schamehorn said. “So, just getting on these committees with people who have been on them already, and have already been on council, is kind of what I’m looking forward to the most.”
Tom Tarpey, who’s returning as mayor for a second term, says he is looking forward to working with the new team that’s now in place.
“I think it’ll be a good mix of old and new,” said Tarpey. “We’ve got some new and very keen councillors coming on. They include Mr. Schamehorn, (Johanna) Downing, as well as (Don) Good, who previously served as a councillor for 12 years.”
Elaine Manzer, who was re-elected to her position as Deputy Mayor for a fifth year at the meeting, says she’s really honoured to have topped the poll once again in the civic election.
“It was unexpected, but it was an honour,” said Manzer. “New faces will bring new ideas to the council, and I look forward to working with them at the council table.”
One thing she’d like to see built during this term is getting a new medical clinic built on Peace River’s West Hill.
“We have a committee that’s working with other municipalities within the region, as well as AHS and the doctors group in town,” she said. “I hope to see that begin at the beginning of this term.”
But first, Tarpey says that council needs to put together their new strategic plan.
“We’ll be bringing together all the ideas that councillors had during the campaign process,” said Tarpey. “And we’ll try to put them all together and try to implement all the promises that were made.”
The next regular council meeting will take place in Council Chambers on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at 5 PM in council chambers.
As well, the Town of High Level also held their organization meeting last week.
Former Rainbow Lake Mayor Boyd Langford will now serve as High Level’s Deputy Mayor. As well, three freshmen councillors are joining three incumbents, plus Mayor Crystal McAteer, within their positions.
– Posted by BET
