KAMSACK — The seven persons elected to Kamsack’s town council assembled with administration staff on Nov. 18 for an orientation meeting that included general discussions of their roles and responsibilities.
Beth Dix was elected mayor for a four-year term, succeeding Nancy Brunt who had served in that capacity for two terms (eight years) and had served as a councillor for four years before that.
Brunt said that following the election, she was happy to have received a message from Chief George Cote of Cote First Nation expressing his thanks for the work she has done with the First Nations community while serving as mayor.
“On behalf of Cote First Nation, we thank you for your leadership in working with us in truth and reconciliation,” Chief Cote told Brunt. “All the best in your future endeavours. Your work was not in vain. God bless.”
“I worked hard to develop good relations with the First Nations,” Brunt said.
Darren Kitsch was the only incumbent councillor to seek re-election for another four-year term of office, and Karen Tourangeau had previously served on council. The other four councillors elected with them are: Easton Moline, Robyn Tataryn, Onastasia Eliuk and Brian Kirkpatrick.
During the orientation meeting, council members discussed the code of ethics, the roles of council and staff and the difference in responsibilities of the municipal, provincial and federal government, Barry Hvidston, administrator, explained. Municipally-owned buildings and their condition were discussed as were the budget, training opportunities, long-term planning and administrative goals.
Several of the town’s ongoing projects were mentioned, including the garbage dump and transfer station, the annual upgrading of water and sewer systems and public works goals that includes looking at older equipment which will need replacement, he said.
Also during the meeting, which lasted about three hours, council made its appointments to various boards and committees.
