Kipling Mayor Pat Jackson was recently named the southeast regional director with the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA).
鈥淎s the southeast regional director for municipalities of Saskatchewan, one of the main duties that I have is to be a liaison between the 74 communities in my region and the organization,鈥� explains Jackson.
鈥淭o this end, prior to the regional meeting on December 2, 2020, I had called all but one of my communities to remind them of the meeting, to encourage all of their councils, especially new members, to participate, and to remind them that any elected official was eligible to run for either regional director of alternate.
鈥淚n addition to these reminders, I was checking to see if there were issues that needed to go to the board meeting that was held on December 4th. Beyond connecting with my communities, I attend four board meetings per year at which we set policy for MoS and sit on several committees that look in depth at the business of the organization.
鈥淎ll board members also assist with the convention held every year in February. This year, of course, it will be virtual, but still a very valuable time for attendees. It is truly like being on council, but with a wider perspective.鈥�
Jackson has goals in mind for Kipling during the next term as well.
鈥淔or the next four years, my personal goals as mayor are to continue some of the already begun work on water and sewer,鈥� Jackson explained. 鈥淲e have completed the lagoon upgrade and have put in the new well and water treatment plant. The next step is to replace aging water meters. After that, we shall have to see what is needed in terms of water and sewer lines. As you can see, it is never ending.鈥�
鈥淚n addition to the water/sewer infrastructure needs, some of our recreational facilities are getting older and are needing work,鈥� explains Jackson. 鈥淲e currently have application out (and have passed the first level hurdle) for a grant that would allow some of the most needed repairs and upgrades to be done. While this will not be providing a new facility, it should give us as a council time to begin the needed groundwork to be ready when (and indeed if) there are grants in the future.
鈥淎ll of this does take time, however, the more ready we are if something becomes available, the more likely we are to be successful in receiving grant money.鈥�
鈥淎s always, I also want to be as connected with the people of Kipling as is possible in these COVID times. While I cannot really visit in person, I certainly want to be a voice for them,鈥� says Jackson.
鈥淲ith five new people on council, the first order of business has been getting all of the required paperwork completed,鈥� says Jackson. 鈥淥ur CAO, Gail Dakue, has many tasks following a municipal election, and this year, with the election so late and the health issues around the world, she has had much to do in a short time. We have had only two meetings so far, the first generally taken up with the swearing in of all council, filling in papers, and sorting out the committee members.
鈥淚 was extremely pleased with the enthusiasm of all of the council members as they stepped up to be on various committees, in some cases not even being fully aware of what was involved in each. The second meeting was devoted entirely to our response to a positive COVID-19 case in Kipling.鈥�
鈥淪ince we have only had two meetings, we have had little time to discuss ideas and goals,鈥� explains Jackson of the new council. 鈥淢any of these will come to light as we get into strategic planning in early 2021. The previous council had deferred setting many plans for the future as the members felt that it was needful for the new council to be able to put their stamp on what we do.
鈥淚t will, I am sure entail lively discussions, and I look forward to hearing what directions the councillors wish to take and, with our other incumbent and our CAO, assisting them in formulating plans that are both useful and needed for the community as well as being fiscally viable.鈥�
Should residents of Kipling wish to contact her, the preference would be by email at聽[email protected].
