Funk make first moves as mayor

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This article was published 07/11/2018 (2437 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Steinbach mayor Earl Funk put his stamp on city council Tuesday night as he and his fellow councillors took their oaths of office at the first meeting of the new council, while the new mayor handed out committee appointments for the first time.

Funk was enthusiastic in an interview with The Carillon following the meeting, as he spoke about his first impressions of the new council he will lead.

“We’ve got some really good, critical thinkers. I’m very glad to see what’s coming to the table as far as what everyone brings. They all bring a different view but that’s a good thing, because when we get all those views together…we start discussing…we’re going to make the right decisions.”

A frequent ally of Funk’s in the last term, Councillor Michael Zwaagstra, was tapped by the mayor for the role of deputy mayor.

Funk noted Zwaagstra’s past experience in the role as one reason for the appointment.

“As I’m learning the mayor’s chair, it’s a good idea to have someone very strong behind me,” he said.

Zwaagstra will also shift into the role of chair on the RCMP advisory committee, a title previously held by Funk. The mayor said he intends to remain on the committee at least until a number of ongoing initiatives have been completed.

Councillor Susan Penner was named as council representative on the Steinbach Community Development Corporation.

Councillor Jac Siemens will remain as the city’s representative on the Steinbach and RM of Hanover Joint Action Committee, while newcomer, Councillor Bill Hiebert, will be council’s representative on its similar committee partnership with the RM of La Broquerie.

Councillor Jake Hiebert will serve as the city’s representative on the Seine-Rat River Conservation District board.

Councillor Damian Penner was named to the Jake Epp Library board. Funk also named Allison Dueck and Jacqui Broesky as citizen appointments to the library board.