M.D. council excited about coming term

Richard Froese
Smoky River Express

Municipal District of Smoky River held its organizational meeting Oct. 25 with one newcomer and five incumbents sworn in. Donald Dumont serving the Girouxville area (Divison 3) was re-elected reeve by council. Richard Aubin, serving the Whitemud area (Div. 2) was re-elected deputy reeve. New councillor Donald Gosselin in the Guy area (Division 1) was welcomed. Other incumbents were sworn in, including Luc Desaulniers in the Falher area (Division 4), Robert Brochu in the Donnelly area (Division 5), and Andre Trudeau in the Jean Cote area (Division 6). “We look forward to working together as a new council on a lot of important issues like a new fire hall, McLennan-Peavine road, and the water system,” says Reeve Dumont. “In the next three years, things will be more exciting with more funding from the provincial government.” Appointments Council members were appointed to serve on various committees, boards, and organizations as follows. Subdivision and Appeal Board – Donald Dumont and residents Denis Boisvert, Avis Gagne, and Gemma Tokarz. Assessment Review Board – Donald Dumont, Luc Desaulniers, Andre Trudeau, and Robert Brochu. Mackenzie Municipal Services Agency – Donald Dumont. Disaster Services Committee – Andre Trudeau and Richard Aubin. McLennan-Peavine Road Committee – Donald Dumont and Luc Desaulniers (alternate). Fire Hall sub-committee – Richard Aubin, Andre Trudeau, and Luc Desaulniers. Heart River Housing – Richard Aubin. Jean Cote Community and Cultural Society – Andre Trudeau. Agriculture Service Board – all council. ASB Appeal Committee – residents Fern Doucet, Dave Forgie, Danny Dion, Darcy Tokarz, and Louis Hebert. Heart River Watershed Action Committee – Andre Trudeau and ASB fieldman Normand Boulet. Falher Co-op Seed Cleaning Plant Board – Andre Trudeau. Smoky Applied Research and Demonstration Association – Andre Trudeau. Smoky River Regional Committee – (reeve) Donald Dumont and (deputy reeve) Richard Aubin. Smoky River Tourism Association – Luc Desaulniers. Smoky River Agricultural Society – Luc Desaulniers. Smoky River Water Commission – Richard Aubin and Luc Desaulniers. Smoky River Community Health Council – Andre Trudeau. Smoky River Regional Economic Development Commission – Luc Desaulniers and residents Art Cloutier, Gilbert Wolfe, and Francis Lessard. Smoky River Regional Airport Commission – Luc Desaulniers and resident Bernard Despins. Northern Lakes College Continuing Education Committee – Richard Aubin. Peace Regional Economic Development Alliance – Donald Dumont. VSI Veterinary Services – Richard Aubin. Peace Library System – Donald Dumont and Luc Desaulniers (alternate). Peace Airshed Zone Association – Andre Trudeau. Agriculture Financial Services Corporation – Donald Dumont. Council confirmed it times for regular meetings on the second Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. Council also increased rates of pay for various roles and duties, comparing rates with municipalities elsewhere in the Peace region. Regular/special council meetings – $150 per meeting (from $125). Other meetings – $150 per meeting ($115). Travel pay to meetings – 50 cents a kilometer (45 cents). Supervision Days (40 days per councillor) – $150 per day ($125). Supervision travel for reeve and councillors – 50 cent a kilometer (45 cents). Reeve and Deputy Reeve Days – $150 per day ($125).