Almost 12 months to the day since last year's municipal elections and the Town of Bonnyville is in as good a shape as ever according to its Mayor Gene Sobolewski.
After a whirlwind first year as municipal leader which has seen him take an active role in the reparation of a main waterline in town, go to bat for the Bonnyville Covenant Health Centre to ensure it doesn't lose core services, push the provincial government to make a decision regarding the regional waterline from Cold Lake and oversee the development of the new Eastgate subdivision, Sobolewski said he was “incredibly proud” of his accomplishments over the past twelve months.
“I have to say, I've enjoyed this first year as mayor for the Town of Bonnyville immensely,” Sobolewski told the Nouvelle last week. “It has really been everything I expected and more – it's been fantastic. We have a great working group here with a fantastic council and administrative staff. I'm incredibly proud of everything we've been able to accomplish over the course of the past year.”
Right at the top of those accomplishments Sobolewski was particularly pleased with was the re-establishment of relationships with neighbouring municipalities – one of the main issues he ran on during last fall's municipal election.
“During the election, I ran on a very specific platform that incorporated several issues that I felt (the municipality) needed to address,” Sobolewski said. “I think we've done tremendously well over the past 12 months to (repair) and build relations with the City of Cold Lake, the MD of Bonnyville and the provincial government.”
He added, “We've gone to town with Cold Lake on the regional waterline, we've had a number of dialogues now with the provincial government on a number of issues and we've made some really good headway with the MD this year with regards to sitting down and talking about (projects and ventures) we could perhaps work on together.
“I'm really looking forward to continuing to build on what we've already established over the course of the past 12 months and continuing that momentum.”
While Sobolewski places a significant importance on working with regional partners on various projects, he acknowledges that the Town has some work to do of its own if it is to help alleviate some of the stresses and pressures seen and experienced in Bonnyville.
“Obviously, as has been the case for a while now, one of our chief priorities as a council is to start getting things in place to address issues we have with affordable housing, alternate housing and lower cost housing,” Sobolewski said.
“We've got apartments coming in (with the 163-unit project at Eastgate), but we need to focus on getting more multi-family sites. We've got interested developers and folks looking to move forward, it's just a matter of getting the land ready.”
Sobolewski also said council would be focusing on coming up with ideas and potential solutions for what local employers are calling a “chronic labour shortage” in the Lakeland, while also committing to working on the town's infrastructure deficit.
With one year down and three to go, Sobolewski believes the rate with which the entire Lakeland region is growing is going to lead to an “exciting future” for Bonnyville and its residents.
“Three years from now, I see the Eastgate subdivision continuing to grow, I see an increased retail presence coming to this community and I see a town (right on the cusp) of becoming bigger and better,” Sobolewski said.
“By that time we will have additional housing, particularly in affordable housing and at the end of (my term) I expect we're going to see a marked change in terms of relationships and outcomes with our municipal partners.”
He added, “Right now we're working towards, and likely by that time, will have some very unique policies in place whereby we believe we can become a role model for other Alberta communities as to how you can, if you have enough willingness, work together with your neighbours to achieve common goals.
“I'm really looking forward to playing a role, albeit a small one, in bringing these projects to fruition. Bonnyville is my home too and I'm looking forward to continuing to do the best job possible for this community.”
