BOYLE — Village of Boyle councillors re-selected Colin Derko as mayor for the seventh year in a row, appointed Coun. Shelby Kieltey as deputy mayor, and made minor changes to the council committee list during the yearly organizational meeting held Oct. 18.
During the Oct. 18 organizational meeting, councillors unanimously carried a motion to cease nominations for mayor after Kiteley threw Derko’s hat in the ring. Chief Administrative Officer Warren Griffin declared Derko as mayor.
"I'm very excited about serving as the mayor of Boyle for another year, and I can't thank my fellow councillors enough for their ongoing support," said Derko in a Oct. 30 statement. "We have a very strong council that is committed to the village, and they are always working hard for the community."
As mayor, Derko will continue to sit on the community transportation committee, Athabasca Regional Economic Development committee, the Municipal Planning Commission, Aspen Regional Water Services Commission, and Federation Gas committees.
Next up was the selection of deputy mayor; Kiteley received the only nomination for the position and Derko declared her appointment as deputy mayor.
Kiteley has sat on Boyle council for more than six years and plays an active role on the healthcare recruitment and retention committee, as well as the joint recreation committee. Kiteley is joined by Derko on Boyle Portage College committee and the regional emergency advisory committee.
The organizational meeting also entailed changes to council’s committee list — the Boyle Fitness Centre committee was removed from the committee list due to scheduling concerns but will still be asked to supply meeting minutes and updates to council.
"The Village of Boyle has so many amazing things to offer, and with our incredible community of volunteers, I am excited for the future," said Derko.
Chamber of Commerce signage request denied
Boyle’s Chamber of Commerce will have to go back to the drawing board after a suggested location for a community business sign was denied by village councillors.
In an Oct. 13 email to village admin, Chamber of Commerce president Terry Mudryk requested permission to install a sign promoting community businesses near the gazebo by the intersection of Taylor road and Fourth street south.
“It would be great to incorporate the gazebo there for a rest stop (for) visitors & locals alike, to have our business sign there and use it for an information area,” read the email.
Councillors voted 5-0 to deny the placement request after reviewing Mudryk’s email, photos of the requested location, and the proposed sign dimensions. The motion also extended an invitation to the Chamber of Commerce to appear as a delegation to council to discuss planning, permissions, and location approvals in person.
“I already see issues,” said Griffin. “One, with the (proximity to the) fire hydrant. Two, (blocking) the view from the gazebo, and more importantly … three, the view through the intersection onto highway 663.”
Derko also noted the Chamber would require written permission from Alberta Transportation for potential placement along highways. If new potential locations are selected along Railroad Avenue, the group would also need permission from Canadian National Railway.
Tire Wreath Fundraiser a-go
The Greater Athabasca Community Foundation (GACF) will be rolling out its tried-and-tested tire wreath fundraiser this Christmas season to tackle another recreation project in Boyle.
Councillors approved an Oct. 11 request from GACF to hang the upcycled wreaths on fence posts along Highway 663, as well as along the park on Highway 831 if enough wreaths are purchased. Councillors also accepted a second email from GACF received Oct. 16, which included more details about the fundraiser as information.
New tire wreaths will be available for a $250 donation, and previously painted wreaths can be refurbished and displayed for a $150 donation. Terryl Turner, GACF project chair, noted in the Oct. 16 email the deadline to place and pay for an order is Nov. 10.
GAFC has seen success with the fundraiser in the past, having successfully collected money for the GACF splash park in 2018, and the skate park in 2022, while funds from this year’s efforts will go towards a play park in the Millview Recreational Area.
The play park is part a vision dating back to at least 2021, when GACF treasurer Terryl Turner told The Advocate the non-profit had more in store for Millview Park.
“We're trying to develop that whole area in Boyle into a recreational family area,” said Turner in a March 18, 2021 interview. The GACF pictured “a large shelter where families get together for birthday parties or parties,” and said the goal was to “develop that area there to be family recreational area.”
