It is indeed my privilege as your Mayor, to welcome each and everyone to the 2011 Inaugural Council Meeting.  I extend my thanks to all those who voted in the Municipal election and to all who put their names forward to run for office.

I would like to extend my thanks to previous councils for the legacy they have left us.  I recognize the leadership of previous Mayor, David Wilks, who had the foresight to always plan for the future when making improvements.  I also extend my thanks for the contribution of outgoing Councillors Banks, Travis, and Templin through whose many years of service has made Sparwood a much better place to live.

To the residents of Sparwood, I thank you for your support and encouragement.  I am honored and humbled to serve this community that I do care about very deeply.  I especially thank my family, Michael Decker and all those who worked on my campaign.

I am pleased to welcome back to council incumbents Margaret McKie and Sharon Fraser.  Between them, they have a total of 31 years of experience on council.  I am especially pleased to introduce the following new members of our team: Councillors Joanne Wilton, Ron Saad and Andy MacIntyre.  Also Councillor Harold Baytaluke who is returning after one term away but who brings with him the experience of being on council for three previous terms.  Our community has elected a council with a wide range of backgrounds and experience, which will provide balance and new energy to our team.

One of our first orders of business will be to arrange a strategic planning session in January.  Together with staff, we will review this past year’s objectives, which were to enhance community spirit, to increase the number of businesses and to attract more residents.  These will be evaluated against our guiding principles of being responsible, professional, progressive and collaborative.  We will review what the electorate told us during this last campaign and develop goals and plans for the future.

This term of office will be an especially exciting and active time in which to serve our community.

Sparwood is experiencing a surge of economic development in response to the world demand for our prized metallurgical coal found in the Elk Valley.

Large and small industrial businesses that service the five Teck coalmines are all working to capacity.

Our industrial lots have recently all sold and we are now in the process of planning the development of additional industrial land on Sparwood Drive.  In 2012, we anticipate the provision of a water supply line to businesses and residents along Michel Creek Road.  Along with that, we will continue to monitor the quality and quantity of water supply for the greater community.  We welcome commercial activity and look forward to a new hotel and large office development.  It is our hope that with increased industrial and commercial development, our population base will grow to sufficiently support more small businesses.  As we plan for the future, we will ensure prudent and responsible financial decisions, while maintaining important services and programs.

In Sparwood, I see a community that is caring, engaged and energized.  We have devoted leaders and many volunteers.  We have active church groups, a cohesive Early Childhood Development group, innovative summer programs for children at the Recreation Centre and Library, literacy programs for all age groups, continuing support for the Food Bank and Toys for Tots program, a reenergized Seniors Society, and those all important volunteers in the Futures Society and Lions Club who raise a lot of money for important community projects such as the new Water Spray Park.  The district provides a fabulous Recreation Centre with low user rates and an ever expanding system of trails.  All of this gives us an excellent quality of life, but our lives can be enriched further with continued citizen involvement, dialogue and communication.

I would like to acknowledge the efforts and professionalism of our Chief Administrator, Terry Melcer, and all staff for acting on the development opportunities before us.  During the past year, three new excellent management directors have replaced long serving personnel.  This new management team, together with our new council, will drive Sparwood forward, using creative energy to develop a model community that others will aspire to.

Once again, congratulations to all members of Council and thank you to all for being a part of this very special celebration.

Mayor Lois Halko

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