During my tenure on Town Council, I learned the value of engaging residents early on. During the first two terms, Council reached out to residents in order to form committees that would allow for resident participation. The Cemetery Committee, Communities in Bloom Committee, Tourism Committee and Heritage Committee all provided assistance to the council in their respective areas. What was accomplished with the assistance and ideas of these committees could never have been accomplished by council alone.

When the town website was updated in 2012, the website designer had extensive experience with community management. He included a website blog that council used to promote things that were going on in our town and things that were important to the town, such as what was going on with industries like oil and agriculture.

Residents frequently expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of information available in council minutes. To assist residents, the Blog was also used to keep residents informed with greater detail than was provided in the minutes. The blog also enabled council to inform and solicit feedback from residents in ways that were previously not possible.

When new garbage pickup methods were being explored in 2014. The Town could choose between street or alley pickup. Many councils adopted the option without public input. But our council chose to poll residents. Back alley pickup was highly supported. With the help of residents council decide on back alley pickup.

Residents were most engaged in the 2017-2022 Strategic Plan survey. Council was able to poll residents to help define a future strategy. The input was broad and offered Council an indication of residents' priorities. I recall sidewalk trip hazards was one thing that was not on Council's radar. After reviewing the poll results, we realized there was a problem and called in "Safe Sidewalks Canada" to help.

The Recreation Advisory Committee was established to allow for resident involvement in recreation programs and activities. This committee has done a great job reaching out to residents with a variety of surveys and workshops. In the short time it has been active it has accomplished a number of recreation programs and was responsible for the creation of the Kiaskus Trail.

Economic development is a priority for all councils. However, speaking from experience, it is a massive endeavor that requires the cooperation of council and the community. That is why the council on which I previously served recruited an Economic Development Officer and appointed residents to the Economic Development Committee. This committee has done an excellent job with a variety of initiatives aimed at boosting our local economy.

I believe that engaging residents should always be a priority for all councils. I made several memes using the mural shot from the Curling Rink. My favorite tagline is "Building Communities Together." Working together is how we got where we are today and how we will move forward into the future.

Blake Campbell