The City of Lloydminster is playing host to mayor school this week.
This as the Saskatchewan Association of Urban Municipalities runs it’s Summer session for new mayors in the province.
The presentations will be done virtually, but six new mayors are expected in Lloydminster on Tuesday and Wednesday and will attend class in-person tackling topics like Municipal Best Practices, Leadership and Governance and Setting the Tone from the Top.
Mayor Gerald Aalbers will be welcoming Mayor Sandra Masters from Regina, Mayor Glenn George from Melfort, North Battleford’s Mayor David Gillan, Humboldt Mayor Michael Behiel, Swift Current Mayor Al Bridal and Warman Mayor Gary Philipchuk.
Aalbers was hopeful the mayors from Yorkton and Meadow Lake might still be coming, if their schedules will let up.
Aalbers says SUMA has brought on the training camp over the last four years and as chair of the mayoral caucus he wanted to invite his fellow mayors to meet in Lloydminster.
“When it was planned, because of COVID’s rules, they went virtual. We have all looked at screens for a very long time and here was an opportunity to bring everybody together and we will share a screen here in the boardroom at City Hall. It will give us the opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss challenges that we face as mayors from that perspective.”
Aalbers said the mayoral caucus met last week in Yorkton. He pointed to a common challenge that they are all encountering.
“One common issue from Regina to the smallest city in Saskatchewan, if not the smallest community is the mental health issues and addiction issues that we face. We all face crime issues. Policing depends on if you have a municipal force or an RCMP force. Addictions and crime are two challenges that raise huge issues for many communities.”
Aalbers noted that homelessness is also a part of the multi-faceted social concerns that they are discussing.
Aalbers made the announcement of the mayoral meeting at Monday’s Council session as Councillors were reporting on their various activities.
It was noted that the mayors’ conference coincided with the Vic Juba Community Theatre Outdoor Concert Series and it would be great to have the mayors out to that event.