County councillors talk 2018 vision

By: Justin Seward

Commentator/Courier

The County of Forty Mile Reeve Steve Wikkerink sent a message to his council prior to Christmas in the Dec. 26, 2017 edition of the Commentator saying “We’re a stronger council together … And together we can help the county as a whole move forward. But we can also work on other’s folds and needs through out the county (and) one Individual goal and idea all mixed together to come out with one strong council.”
Councillors had the opportunity to respond to the reeve’s vision with their own ideas moving forward at the county’s Jan. 10 meeting.
Second term Coun. Chantel Timmons says she has been a community person and volunteers everywhere she can and wants to be a bigger voice on council.
The one priority she would like see come to fruition while she’s on council is the Burdett lots.
Coun. Gerald Reimer is also on his second term with council and says he has really enjoyed being with the other councillors, while meeting new friends and people.
He has enjoyed seeing through the conveyance of the St. Mary’s Regional Irrigation District and trying to give back to the Pleasant View Lodge as much as he can.
Additionally, he sits on the 40 Mile Park Board and is excited to see through the new wash house.
He also wants to see more support for HALO.
Joan Hughson has been on council since October 2007 because her son encouraged her to run and she brought a ranching view to council.
She’s been impressed with the future windmill project bringing in extra income and the county providing local employment.
Stacey Burrows is in her first term on council and will be learning over the next year how to contribute more in the county.
Craig Widmer has been in the council chambers since 2001 and initially got involved because his dad was on council and was interested in how it worked.
County Challenges are what interest him, including dryland irrigation issues.