Tanya Vrebosch admits that the past two terms on city council have been very frustrating.
“The last two terms the councillors kind of had their own agenda and nobody was on the same page and everyone is going every direction and staff did not have direction from council,” stated Vrebosch, “I think that is probably the biggest thing that now council have clear direction, they will give clear direction to staff and I think that is the biggest thing that we have been missing over the last eight years.”
Vrebosch, will be the Deputy Mayor and Budget Chief for the new term. Mayor Al McDonald introduced his new chairs today at a media event on the fifth floor of city hall this morning.
Vrebosch, along with Mike Anthony as Engineering and Environmental Works Services, and Johanne Brousseau as the Chair of Community Services made short speeches about their vision for the next four years. The trio, along with the rest of city council and Mayor Al McDonald will be sworn in during an event this Saturday, December 1.
“I think the new people and the older people coming together is just going to rejuvenate council,” said Vrebosch.
“I have had a good look and I am very positive and very excited to come back to council and I can honestly say I have not felt this excited for a while.”
Mayor Al McDonald says he is excited too. His message, much like during his campaign, was one of growth.
“We wanted to send a signal out to our community that we want to grow our city so I reached out to the three chairs and asked them if they would come forward to speak on what their hopes and dreams are for the next term,” said McDonald.
McDonald says some of the major capital projects such as Cassellholme and West Ferris arena are “hot button” items that will be addressed once the new council gets to work. To do that McDonald is hoping to work on ways to get things moving quickly and more efficiently.
“We need to reduce red tape and create policies that make it advantageous for business and industry to locate here to work with our partners to hear what their concerns and ideas are that we can make the changes to our policies that might have or continue to restrict growth.
“I can tell you all the business groups that I have met with right across the spectrum believe in growth, they recognize that we have to grow and they are willing to roll up their sleeves to work with us.”
