Gary Schlageter, Chief Administrative Officer, is the Town’s new Emergency Response Coordinator (ERC). His appointment was approved at last Tuesday’s Town Council meeting.
The position has been vacant since Trent Empey stepped down as ERC on March 1, citing too many other commitments.
As ERC, Empey was responsible for ensuring a coordinated response to a disaster, which could involve setting up a command centre and calling planners and those involved in finances and logistics.
It also means preparedness: updating contact information for people who would lead the disaster response; having a plan in place in the event of evacuation or an influx of people to the community; and putting emphasis on training.
Live-streaming to continue
Town Council meetings will continue to be aired live on Facebook, even though most COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.
For a while during the coronavirus pandemic, Council met virtually via Zoom, with meetings live-streamed on Facebook. Live-streaming continued after COVID rules eased and Councillors reconvened in the Chamber.
On Sunday, July 11, most restrictions, including mask-wearing, were removed.
At last Tuesday’s Council meeting, Gary Schlageter, Chief Administrative Officer, said some communities had now stopped broadcasting meetings live on Facebook, while others continued the practice.
Council voted to continue live-streaming in Maple Creek.
“I think it’s great,” said Michelle McKenzie, the Mayor, saying people were able to watch the proceedings at their leisure.
She pointed out that meetings still attracted a lot of views.
Park renaming on August 21
The Land of Living Skies Park will be officially renamed Hawrylak Park during the August 21 “Celebrate with Maple Creek” festival.
The renaming is in honour of former Councillor Ellaine Hawrylak, who was instrumental in revitalizing and beautifying the downtown core, including the park, which used to an eye-sore.
Michelle McKenzie, the Mayor, said the ceremony would fit in nicely with the celebratory theme of the festival by honouring the work of Hawrylak and her husband, Gordon.
Donation to scholarship fund
The Town of Maple Creek will donate $500 to Great Plains College in support of a scholarship fund.
“We’ve been doing this for a couple of years,” Michelle McKenzie, the Mayor, said at the July 27 Council meeting.
Also at the meeting, Council agreed to renew its membership of Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance.
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