by PAUL RAYNER

Recent staffing departures at the Turtle Mountain Community Development Corporation will be among the issues coming under examination soon by the organization.

Over the last few months, the TMCDC has seen both of their development officers depart. The first was Tourism Officer Aggie Buhler, who left for Altona in February. The latest was Business Development Officer Shirley Bell, who began her new position in Deloraine this past week. According to new TMCDC President Al Pearen, the situation, although not positive, is being used for a little self-examination.

“We are in the process of having some meetings,” Pearen explained. “We’re basically looking at the whole development corporation, to assess where we’re at and where we are going to go from here. It is a good opportunity to do this. Every now and then it’s good to go back to the drawing board and see where you are and where you want to go.”

“We want to make sure, if we replace a person, we see what they are going to be doing. Economic development can take on a lot of faces. We need to decide what the priorities are and how we want to proceed. That’s where we’re at.”

Over the last five years, the TMCDC has been in a staffing flux. Some like Tyler King and, at times, Ruth Mealy, handled both the tourism and business development duties, either full or part time. Others, like Shirley Bell and Aggie Buhler, split the hours and duties.

At this point, the corporation is unsure what will be happening, even whether or not there will be replacement.

“I really don’t want to comment,” Pearen stressed. “We’re not far enough along.”

One of the major concerns itself is the lack of continuity over that period of time. Pearen said in speaking to Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Initiatives, which has a development arm, he found it was not unusual to have a sort of revolving door situation. However, it would be nice to have more stability.

“You don’t like to see it happen like that. Obviously, it is better to have people around longer. Ourselves, I think we would prefer not to bring someone new in all the time.”

Some of the issues the TMCDC will be looking at, which may or may not have played a role in the staffing turnover, are the changes in the two elements. Pearen said tourism has changed over the years, and the attempt to bring new business into the community is always a part of the situation as well. Balancing the two is always a challenge.

They are also looking at the partnership with the International Peace Garden, which was part of the deal with Buhler’s position, as a possibility to continue in the future.

The newest endeavor of the corporation is not challenged by the situation. Pearen said the Irvin Goodon International Wildlife Museum, entering its first summer under their directorship, is run by a separate committee, so will be able to run fine regardless of present challenges.

As for staffing – one person, two people, anyone at all – the TMCDC president said the board will continue to meet, and he hopes they will come up with the direction on this and other issues shortly.

“It is all part and parcel of taking a look at what we will be doing,” Pearen stated. “We want to sit back, look at where we have been and where we want to go in the future.”