The scene shortly after all six councillors and Reeve Art Petkau were sworn in

 

The R.M. of Stanley held its inaugural meeting with its new council Thursday. Reeve Art Petkau is back, and so are most of the previous councillors. Returning are Ken Schellenberg, Pete Froese, Peter Klassen, and Les Titchkosky.

No election was held in the municipality on October 27th, with all councillors in by acclamation. After the nomination deadline earlier this fall, there was still one vacant seat left in Ward One, and that was filled yesterday when Council appointed Reinfeld resident Debbie Penner to the position. Penner is the Office Manager at Dig-All Construction. She's always had a passion for politics, and that's what prompted her to put her name forward. Together with her husband they have three children, two in school and one working at Dig-All Construction.

 

Appointed Councillor Debbie Penner as she was being sworn into office

 

Also new to council chambers is Bob Giesbrecht who lives north of Winkler. He will be representing Ward One as well. Giesbrecht owns a trucking company, and has always loved working with the public and farmers. That coupled with his desire to work on the issues impacting the municipality led him to run for office.

Reeve Art Petkau says there a number of issues facing council during this term including drainage, roads, and bridges, as well as seeing construction begin on the municipality's new office. In addition to those points, Petkau wants to continue to grow the relationship between the R.M. and the neighbouring communities of Morden and Winkler. Both Winkler Mayor Martin Harder and newly elected Morden Mayor Ken Wiebe were in attendance at the swearing in ceremony. Each brought greetings from their respective communities, and also mentioned a desire to continue to grow their relationship with the R.M. of Stanley.

 

Left to right Winkler Martin Harder, Stanley Reeve Art Petkau, Morden Mayor Ken Wiebe in a symbolic showing of cooperation