As the year comes to a close, I want to reflect on what has been a busy and challenging time for our town. We’ve seen many personnel changes in Wilkie. I want to extend a warm welcome to our new administrator, Rebecca Parent, our front office secretary, Sheila Sinclair, and our new public works manager, Kevin Kropf. Our rink also welcomes Brian Parkinson and Jesse Sample to its full complement of staff. I’d like to especially thank Sandra Beckett for postponing her retirement to help us through this transition period.
We also saw a 50 per cent turnover in our council in the recent municipal election. Welcome back to Clark Jackson, Les Henderson, and Jerel Wood, and a big welcome to our new councillors, Teresa Parkinson, Nadine La Greca and Gary Neigum. I look forward to working with all of you, embracing fresh perspectives and ideas. Thank you to everyone who participated in the election; your engagement strengthens our democratic process.
We have exciting projects underway. Our new pool, near the schools, will have its pool house completed by February, with the rest finished in 2025. We’re also building a new daycare facility to support our working families. Please support our fundraising efforts for these vital projects.
I extend a warm welcome to all new residents. I hope you enjoy living in Wilkie as much as I do. To those who are sick or in the hospital this holiday season, I wish you speedy recovery. My sincere condolences go out to those who have lost loved ones.
As Christmas approaches, I extend season’s greetings to all residents, town employees, business owners, teachers, students, healthcare workers and their families. On behalf of my wife, Kelly, our children and their families, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Parents don’t forget to give your kids a hug.
