New council, familiar faces and four years ahead
A new four-year term officially began Monday night, with Fort St. John’s council taking the oath and settling in around the table.
Mayor Trevor Bolin and councillors Gord Klassen, Sarah MacDougall, Jim Lequiere, Tony Zabinsky, Lucas Wuthrich and Kevin Stigners took their Oaths of Office during the Nov. 2 inaugural meeting, officially getting the new term underway.
There is a fair bit of experience coming back to the table.
Klassen, MacDougall, Lequiere and Zabinsky are returning councillors, while Wuthrich and Stigners are taking their seats for the first time. Bolin, meanwhile, moves over from council and into the mayor’s chair.
All seven were elected by Fort St. John voters on Oct. 17.
There will be no shortage of work waiting for them. Some decisions over the next four years will be straightforward, while others probably won’t be. That comes with the job, especially in a growing northern city where roads, housing, recreation, public safety and the day-to-day pressures of keeping things moving never really go away.
Former mayor Lilia Hansen was also in the gallery Monday night, watching the new council begin its term alongside family, friends and City staff.
“Having had the privilege of serving both as a councillor and mayor, I know the dedication required to take on these roles,” Hansen wrote afterward.
“I wish each member of Council every success as they serve our community over the next four years. May your term be filled with meaningful accomplishments, thoughtful decisions, and opportunities to make a positive difference for Fort St. John.”
She finished with a simple message to the new council, “I am excited to see what you achieve.”
That seems like a pretty good place to start.
The Alaska Highway News would also like to thank Hansen for the time she gave to Fort St. John during her years around the council table and in the mayor’s chair.
Here’s hoping it is a productive term for Fort St. John, and one that keeps the community moving forward.
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