BONNYVILLE – A total rebranding of the Municipal District of Bonnyville remains on the table for the municipality’s council. However, the Chief Elected Official position for the MD of Bonnyville will remain as reeve – at least for the foreseeable future.
Conversations around whether the title of reeve should be swapped for mayor were first debated during a Committee of the Whole meeting on Sept. 21, followed by a request to bring the matter forward to a regular meeting of council for a decision.
While the matter had been previously discussed, most council members remained uncertain what the best decision was.
“I don't know,” said Coun. Mike Krywiak. “There are Mr. Reeve, 57 MDs and counties that have reeve so I'm not sure. I like the title if reeve, but I can go either way, I guess.”
The title of reeve has a long history in the municipal district going back to the first set of meeting minutes found by administration from 1955.
Despite this long-standing title, members of council noted that the title of reeve has resulted in confusion beyond the boundaries of the MD, especially with regards to the Town of Bonnyville.
Recently, while representing the municipality outside of the province, Reeve Barry Kaliski recalled challenges with distinguishing the MD from the town.
“When we went to the conference in Regina, nobody (knew) what a reeve is,” said Kalinski. “In a setting like that, you get associated with the town more than you do with your own MD. Everybody thought we were part of the town and there was confusion there.”
This form of ongoing mistaken identity between the two municipalities was acknowledged by Coun. Darcy Skarsen, Coun. Krywiak and CAO Al Hoggan.
“I think the key is that particularly as we move into economic development, there is much confusion in the business world as to what a reeve is, but everybody knows what a mayor is,” said Hoggan.
“If we were to go to an economic development forum, or Reeve Kalinski were to go to a trade show or symposium and was introducing himself as Mayor Kalinski, I think many in the business community automatically understand what that is."
Hoggan told council when it comes to pursuing greater economic development, and a potential rebranding of the municipality, he believes there are significant advantages to having a modernized title for the chief elected official.
Coun. Skarsen noted that he supports the change in title theoretically but would like to see more changes put in place that would distinguish the MD from the town.
“I can get behind mayor, (but) I think it might go along better with a complete revamp brand if that's the direction we're going to go,” said Skarsen.
In the end, only Coun. Ben Fadeyiw was clear in his support of the change of title toward mayor.
Fadeyiw made the motion that council approves changing the title for the Chief Elected Official from reeve to mayor effective the next organizational meeting, Oct. 26, 2022.
The motion was defeated three to two. Coun. Skarsen, Coun. Josh Crick, and Coun. Krywiak voted against the motion, with Reeve Kalisnski and Coun. Fadeyiw voting in favour. Councillors Don Slipchuk and Dana Swigart were absent from the meeting.
Of the 69 rural municipalities throughout Alberta, 57 use the title of reeve while the remaining 12 use the title of mayor and are referred to as His/Her Worship, according to information gathered by MD administration.
“The primary difference between the use of either title is the method of appointment for the CEO,” states MD documents.
“Most municipalities that use the title of mayor appoint the CEO directly through the general election whereas most municipalities that use the title of reeve go through the process of council electing one of the councillors to act as CEO for a specific term (usually one year) at the annual organizational meeting.”
Council did not elaborate on what a rebranding of the municipality may look like.
