Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) held its annual convention in Regina from February 2 to February 5, 2020.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 This year the Town of Carlyle was represented at the convention by Mayor Wayne Orsted, Alderman Kelly Lutz and Chief Administrative Officer Natalie Miller.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The Convention was held at the International Trade Centre and Queensbury Downs, which are located in what people know as the Regina Exhibition Grounds, also housing Mosaic Stadium. This was the 115th Annual SUMA Convention.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Queensbury Downs was the location for the meetings and seminars, with the Presidents Banquet and Awards Ceremony being held in the ITC. Sunday鈥檚 agenda featured educational seminars relative to municipal affairs.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Monday, SUMA president Gord Barnhart gave the President鈥檚 address, which was followed by Saskatchewan Premier Moe, who gave the Premier鈥檚 address.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 As well, on Tuesday鈥檚 schedule, the attendees attended sector meetings, where the delegates split into groups to discuss issues pertaining to their communities. Some of the main topics in the town sectors discussions included health, policing and the environment.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 This year a motion was made to change the name of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association鈥檚 name to the Municipalities of Saskatchewan. The new name was adopted and the reason for the name change was to encompass all communities in the province.聽
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 On Tuesday the keynote speaker was Paul Wells, senior editor of McLean鈥檚 Magazines. He spoke of the Federal Government鈥檚 relationship and issues pertaining to all Canadians.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Ryan Meili, leader of the Saskatchewan provincial government opposition addressed the Convention Tuesday morning. The afternoon was reserved for the Awards Presentations, followed by the Annual General Meeting.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 At this year鈥檚 Awards Presentation Carlyle鈥檚 Mayor Wayne Orsted was one of only four recipients to receive the Honorary Service Award. It is granted to elected individuals throughout the province recognizing 20 or more years of involvement and dedication to their community.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Mayor Orsted first served Carlyle as Alderman from 1991 to 1997. He was elected Mayor in 1997 and held the position through 2000. Orsted returned as an Alderman in 2009 until 2014, when he was once again elected Mayor and holds that office today.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Mayor Orsted is most pleased seeing that the Town of Carlyle has progressed and grown during his years of service both as Alderman and Mayor.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 He is very aware of the importance of the various groups and their volunteers and their roles in moving a community forward.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淭he character of a community is defined by the hard work of these groups and individuals. A big thank you needs to go out to all of those involved鈥�, states Mayor Orsted.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淭he community is in a good position with residential and commercial lots available, the water treatment plant and lagoon having had the necessary upgrades for sustainability鈥�, he adds.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The Mayor takes pleasure having received the award and the opportunity to serve and that Carlyle has benefitted by the hard work of those that have served on this and previous councils.
