Zwaagstra reappointed as deputy mayor

Steinbach’s mayor has reappointed the city’s current deputy mayor to continue his role.

Mayor Earl Funk appointed Coun. Michael Zwaagstra as deputy mayor, who has served in the role for 10 years, during a Tuesday evening council organization meeting.

Funk said Zwaagstra has been a “great support” while serving in the position, and his work is appreciated.

“He’s the only one when I to call him at six o’clock in the morning that answers his phone,” Funk told council, with a chuckle.

Zwaagstra was first elected to council in 2006 and served as deputy mayor for three years under former Mayor Chris Goertzen and seven years under Funk.

A deputy mayor’s most important job is to be a “sounding board” for the mayor when making decisions, Zwaagstra told The Carillon.

He wasn’t surprised by the appointment because of the close working relationship he has with the mayor, he said.

“We have been working together for quite some time, and working together very well,” he said, noting how collaborative it is working with the mayor.

Zwaagstra said he’s known Funk for a long time, even outside of the council. When he was 12-years-old, Zwaagstra said Funk was his youth leader in church.

Since he was first elected as councillor, Zwaagstra said he’s grown into his position and appreciated working together with council.

“When I started on council, I took a much more adversarial approach and sort of a focusing on ‘I just got to get my ideas out there,’” he said. “And I’ve really learned that it’s not just about getting your ideas out there. You need to work together with others and incorporate the ideas of others, rather than just simply push for one thing.”

He hopes to continue working on developing and maintaining basic infrastructure, like sewer system upgrades and road work, for Steinbach residents for his next term as deputy mayor.