An Exciting Beginning to a New Three Years of Local Government

The Alexandra Hall, Canadian Museum of Rail Travel December 5, 2011

It was exciting (and amusing) that Mayor Stetski had to interrupt the applause to tell Gerry Warner ‘not to be so popular’ while he (Gerry Warner)gave his inaugural speech about goals he wishes to accomplish while on council! Last night’s first meeting for the newly elected Mayor Stetski and Councillors was both a serious and uplifting occasion. The extra work that must have been involved in setting up the splendid Alexandra Hall at the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel was well worth the effort for the two hundred seats set out for the occasion were all but filled. Mayor Stetski’s idea to invite the public to this location for this first meeting for this new council was definitely a hit and there were many comments afterwards about how this should happen more often.

The final part of any council meeting consists of Councillors giving their individual reports and Mayor Stetski had asked Councillors to speak about two or three of their goals for the upcoming term during this special first meeting.

Councillor Cross spoke of her main focus being a region wide marketing strategy in the spirit of both the Economic Development Strategy and the Cranbrook Connected Document, secondly forging a stronger link with our social service agencies and thirdly a review of City Committees and their terms of reference.

Councillor Davis said he would stray from that request and thanked the people who supported him and elected him.

Councillor Pallesen listed the comments and questions that the public had brought to her during the lead up to the election.

Councillor Scott spoke of attaining Monday openings for the library, continuing relationship building with the Ktunaxa and thirdly economic development.

Councillor Warner drew loud applause when he stated that the Spray Irrigation Program was a priority for him and that he would really like to solve the issue of leaking lagoons as well as prevent the disposal of effluent into the Kootenay River. His second priority is to accomplish the building of an overpass to the west side of our city. Councillor Warner also wishes to see the engagement of the community continue to increase so that the percentage of voters increases substantially at the next election.

Councillor Whetham listed his priorities as procedural, including a review of the Alternative Approval Process, better use of committees allowing for citizen input and getting Trans Canada Trail status for the North Star Trail as a continuing goal for a project that he and Al Skucas conceived several years ago.

Mayor Stetski’s speech can be listened to by clicking on this link. The file may take a few minutes to download.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/39034343/Mayor%20Stetski%20Inaugural%20Speech%20Dec%202011.mp3

or a written copy can be read at:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/39034343/Mayor%20Stetski%20Inaugural%20Speech%201.doc