Recent History – 2002
December 3, 2002
DAWSON CREEK — Dawson Creek’s new city council was sworn in at its inaugural meeting Monday morning.
Six of the seven sworn in were familiar faces, with the seventh being rookie Councillor Marilyn Belak.
“I am honoured, privileged and humbled as I now assume this important role as the mayor of the great little city,” Mayor Wayne Dahlen said in a closing address following the swearing in ceremony and council portfolio appointments.
Dahlen listed off a series of objectives he sees ahead of council in its next three years, including:
– promoting the city as a shopping and services centre
– continuing to be proactive in attracting investment and development
– continuing to hold the line on taxes
– continuing upgrades to civil infrastructure
– revitalizing downtown
– paving and upgrading downtown back alleys
– replacing the city’s current swimming pool
– start the process of constructing a multiplex event centre
– introducing a new garbage collection system.
– continuing to emphasize beautification
– upgrading and beautifying the airport’s parking lots and grounds
– improving the “curb appeal” of entrances to the city
– working closely with other levels of government.
“This is a very ambitious and aggressive agenda,” Dahlen said. “But I am confident that if this council has the vision, courage and common sense, we can make it happen.”
Dahlen also thanked city staff for the hard work they do in keeping the city moving ahead. He also thanked his family and all those who exercised their right to vote.
The official numbers from Nov. 16’s election showed that 1,870 voters went to the polls this year — a voter turnout of 34.2 per cent.
The new council portfolios are as follows:
Bud Powell: Finance and Corporate Services, Event Centre Project, Tourism, Mayor’s Innovation Committee (alternate chair) Mile 0 Park Society, Land Sales Committee member, Grants Committee chair.
Paul Gevatkoff: Regulatory and Development Services, Industry Relations (forestry, oil and gas and agriculture), Oil and Gas Conference, Fall Fair Board, Airport Advisory Committee Chair, The Place for Events Project, Alternate Water Source Project, Land Sales Committee chair.
Calvin Kruk: Protective Services (fire/police), Swimming Pool Project, Arts as Economic Development chair, Library Board, Advertising Committee Member, Downtown Revitalization, Adopt-A-Block Committee chair, Grants Committee member.
Alvin Stedel: Parks and Recreation, PST Project, Regional District Alternate, Chamber of Commerce, City Clean Up, Winter Lights, Recreation Advisory Committee chair, Economic Development co-chair
Brent Neumann: Health and Social Planning, Personnel, Strategic Planning and Performance Measurement Project, Emergency Measures, Advertising Committee member, Youth Advisory chair, Grants Committee member.
Marilyn Belak: Public Works (water and sewer), Northern Training Centre Project, Community Spirit, Environment, Volunteer Appreciation, Dawson Creek Athletic Association, Adopt-A-Block member, Land Sales Committee member.
Wayne Dahlen: Peace River Regional District representative; Innovation Committee chair; Ex-Officio member, all advisory committees and project committees; Economic Development co-chair; Advertising Committee chair; Intergovernmental Relations.