Settling into Macdonald’s council

Workload impressive, says new councillor

Brian Rex says he was prepared for a lot of things in his new job as councillor for the RM of Macdonald’s Sanford ward, but one thing he didn’t expect was the workload.

“The volume of work was quite a surprise. The first regular meeting we had was on a Tuesday, and I remember arriving home on the (previous) Friday to find a stack of papers waiting for me about an inch-and-a-quarter thick,” he said.

“There’s a lot of material you have to go through.”

Despite the work, which Rex says he’s been able to handle thus far, he feels he made the right decision by throwing his name in the ring.

“It’s been very challenging, but very exciting,” he said.

“I’ve had a tour of the Sanford ward, which included a stop in at the water treatment plant, and my fellow councillors have been excellent in welcoming me aboard....it’s going to be a challenge, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Rex said his goals prior to getting elected by acclamation remain intact.

By acting on his plan to make council’s process and decisions more accessible to the public, Rex has been encouraging council to reduce any feelings of disconnection between the elected officials and the residents of the municipality.

“The main thing I wanted to see was to eliminate some the disconnect between taxpayers and council, to get a community that works better together,” he said, adding that some steps in that direction have already been taken.

“It may be a little more challenging than I first thought, but, for example, the website is good...we have the agendas going on the website now. They’re posted in advance of the meetings.

“There are also things like newsletters going out to taxpayers. Some of it has been tried before with limited success, but I get the impression that if there are any ideas out there (to improve communications), council will be very willing to listen.”

On the topic of listening, so far, Rex hasn’t had much in the way of phone calls from his constituents, but it’s something he expects will change.

“I’ve only had a couple of calls so far – one dealing with a variation and the other about some vandalism, but I’m expecting to get more of them on a regular basis.

“I’m expecting quite a challenge, if just looking at the workload is any sign.”