by JENNIFER LAVIOLETTE

Every election there are new causes to rally for and new views on development, but one thing remains the same, any candidate who runs, whether it is for mayor, reeve, or councillor, must be selflessly dedicated to the job.

For current Reeve Robert J.D McCallum of the R.M. of Morton and Boissevain Mayor Ed Anderson, this is something they know all too well.

“When your heart is in it, it’s hard to let go,” commented McCallum. “I’m thankful that so many people have that kind of faith in me and my abilities as Reeve.”

McCallum and Anderson had people encouraging them to continue on and run in the election for Reeve and Mayor. When the nominations closed on Tuesday, September 19 there was no opposition for the two main leadership roles of the community. Both Mayor Anderson and Reeve McCallum were elected by acclamation and will again be colleagues as the two councils often work together on many community projects.

People commented on how they’ve seen progress in the community and complimented on how the two councils work together so well.

Mayor Ed Anderson had talked of possibly retiring his career as mayor, but felt so strongly about his work and likes the job so much that he decided to keep on going.

“There are a lot of unfinished important components that I want to take care of and complete,” mentioned Anderson.

Over the course of Ed Anderson’s career as Mayor, he felt that his biggest achievement for our community that he helped bring in was the new water treatment plant. Here Anderson worked with the province and Premier to get the 53-year-old plant reestablished.

Some of the initiatives that Reeve McCallum was proud to contribute to were the signing of the doctor agreement to help end our health care situation in Boissevain, the Prairie Grains Road Program that has resulted in eight miles of construction road developed for transport to the Ag Pro Terminal, and the concept of bringing the community together for the Homegrown Reunion.

“There are still a few more issue I want to see addressed,” McCallum noted, “as well some more projects I would like to see go through.”

Both Anderson and McCallum hope to continue to assist in enhancing health care in Boissevain and to find more nurses and doctors to come to the area. With the doctor and nursing shortage in most rural communities, they feel that this issue is one of great importance and want to ensure a stable future for health care in Boissevain.

McCallum would like to continue working with the Turtle Mountain Development Corporation and expanding on possibilities with wind power and ethanol for the region and Anderson wants to make sure that the new fire hall and town shop are completed on schedule.

In the end, Reeve Robert J.D. McCallum wants to maintain and continue the strong cooperation of the two councils.

“I feel it helps keep the community together and on the same line,” McCallum remarked.

By continuing with the beautification of the community, they both believe Boissevain will continue to flourish in tourism and want to keep putting forth the effort to preserving it that way.  For both parties, it is important to diversify the community’s options and attract more people to coming to our community.

The overall concept for McCallum and Anderson is to keep Boissevain a growing and progressive community with lots to offer the people and our job is to ensure people like them are in a position to do so.`