Woodlands County might be giving its chief elected officer a new title.
At County council’s Feb. 2 meeting, it opened with a debate as to whether the municipality should go back to referring to their mayor as a reeve.
Councillor Jeremy Wilhelm was able to sum up the debate. On the one hand, using the title of mayor will put Woodlands County on the same figurative footing as larger municipalities. Wilhelm cited Parkland County and Strathcona County as municipalities who have mayors just for that reasoning.
“I am not saying I am for or against it, but do we not count ourselves with those big players in the rural municipality game?” asked Wilhelm.
On the other hand, using the title of reeve helps emphasize Woodlands County’s unique challenges as a rural municipality. Councillor Peter Kuelken took that side.
“That seems to become a critical issue when we try to discuss what rural issues are and what urban issues are,” said Kuelken.
The change was not made that day, as council just accepted administration’s preliminary findings as information.
It is worth noting, that Mayor John Burrows was absent for the debate, as he was held up in other meetings.
