WESTLOCK – Westlock County staff and politicians are hitting the road this week and next for a series of open houses the reeve hopes will better connect ratepayers with the municipality.
The first, two-hour open house goes at the Busby Community Hall Monday, June 12, while the second is slated for the Tawatinaw Ski Hall Chalet June 14 and will be followed the next night, June 15, with one at the Vimy Community Hall. The final event is slated for June 20 at the Jarvie Community Hall — all will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Reeve Christine Wiese said she’s looking forward to meeting ratepayers face-to-face as councillors agreed to hold the open houses, which are the first for this group since the 2021 municipal election and the hiring of CAO Tony Kulbisky in August 2022, back at the end of March.
“I hope we get a great turnout and are given the opportunity to address all questions, good or bad, brough to us. Someone asked me if I was worried and I said that I’m not, I’m actually excited about it,” said Wiese. “We want to hear peoples’ concerns and clear up any kind of misinformation and hear the needs of our residents and take that and align our goals to them.”
Wiese lamented that social media “is a blessing and a curse all in one” when it comes to feedback and connecting with residents and knows they can’t please everyone, so she truly hopes that people with legitimate concerns take the time to meet the councillors and staff face-to-face.
“We’re partners with the residents in building Westlock County. I think people forget that we’re elected by them to act in the best interests of the county … maybe that got lost somewhere. When I read (online) comments saying things like, ‘We need to stand up against council’ … it’s frustrating because we live in the county, too,” said Wiese. “We want to do what’s best for the county. So, I hope the open houses will encourage even better communication all the way around so that residents will want to reach out to us and work with us, not stand up against us.”
Kulbisky said all the events will start with short remarks from him and Wiese, then half an hour of department overviews from staff, followed by presentations from Westlock and District Family and Community Support Services, Westlock Libraries and Citizens on Patrol. Following, Kulbisky said the public “is encouraged to walk around and engage with each department representative” as they’re running a passport program with a draw to encourage engagement, while there’ll be a kids activity table to keep youngsters busy along with free hotdogs for all.
“The welcome and introductions of key areas are quick and not presentation style with a slide deck … it’s more of a face-to-a-name, a brief overview and then everyone goes to their areas and engages with the public as they make their rounds,” Kulbisky explained.
Added Wiese: “Being able to have all the staff there from each department so people can see what we have going on, from roads to recreation … these are real people in our community working behind the scenes trying to do their best. I’m excited for it and really, really hope that we get a good turnout.”
George Blais, TownandCountryToday.com
