WESTLOCK — It was an eventful year for Westlock residents and businesses alike in 2023, one that saw the town rally after a devastating summer storm, work to further economic growth and development and celebrate the town and its people.
Acting Mayor Murtaza Jamaly spoke about a year of community building and connections in a year-end interview Dec. 20, and shared some of the highlights that took place in 2023.
“I think the year for us overall has been a year of helping, connecting and really understanding how as a council we’ve accomplished goals that spread well beyond our community,” said Jamaly. “I think it’s been a really positive year.”
Among the highlights was the demolition of the long-standing Jubilee Arena, the completion of the new public works shop, set to officially open in early 2024, an economic strategy and development in the town and across the region was also a focus, joining in celebrations for Westlock residents and events and an amazing amount of support following a summer storm that demonstrated “what coming together through adversity looks like.”
“We brought forward our tax incentive bylaw and we’re looking at strategies for economic development and new growth,” said Jamaly. “We spent a lot of time together as three municipalities as the Town of Westlock, Westlock County and Village of Clyde met more as a tri-council than we’ve ever met, and specifically in regards to our regional economic development plan in the Westlock Economic Region, as we’re calling it — a plan and strategy for regional economic development is finally in place and looks like it’s going to be funded for 2024,” he explained. “That’s a huge push in the right direction.”
It was also a year of celebrations and positive social change as well, which saw the municipality host its first-ever poverty simulation and later conduct a social needs assessment of the community “to better understand the challenges that residents face on a day-to-day basis.” Jamaly also noted the need for housing which the municipality is working to address in several ways, including applying for the housing accelerator fund this fall.
“We spent a lot of time talking about the social impacts of our decision making … and we celebrated at times,” said Jamaly, noting the work of the Westlock Community Events Committee and others who organized several successful events, including Canada Day, Music In the Park and the Blue Suede Music Festival.
Another important celebration for the town, noted Jamaly, was the recognition of Dr. Noel DaCunha, a family physician in Westlock for 33 years who was named the 2023 Rhapsody Rural Physician Award recipient.
“We’ve done a lot of work in healthcare appreciation and healthcare workers, so I think that opportunity to celebrate, we’ve taken every opportunity to do that and to recognize our strengths as a community.”
Jamaly, now in his eighth year as a councillor, took over as acting mayor when long-time mayor Ralph Leriger resigned in November. He looked back on the recent accomplishments of both the town and council and is looking forward to the year ahead.
“2024 is going to be a great year for us. I think about the accomplishments of the council under the leadership of our former mayor, what that meant for us from a relationship that we have with administration that is the envy of almost every other municipality in the province,” said Jamaly. “We hold our heads high about the high functioning capabilities of our administrative team and operating teams and the Westlock Economic Region.”
