New Day For New Council

There was barely a seat left to be had Monday evening as a nearly new Medicine Hat city council was sworn in as supporters, family and friends of the municipality’s newest elected members took their oaths of office.

While the only returning member of the last council might be Mayor Linnsie Clark, the 2025 to 2029 council brings back three previous councillors with Ted Clugston, Bill Cocks and Brian Varga.

They were joined by Yusuf Mohammed, Stu Young, Chris Hellman, Cheryl Phaff, and Dan Reynish.

The meeting was brief, announcing committee appointments and punctuated by Clark’s inaugural address.

Her speech, littered with references to 17th century philosopher Thomas Hobbes, warned of the threat of imbalance in the social contract between citizens and institutions along with the perils that entails.

“Humans, as both history and biology remind us, are creatures of paradox, capable of both extraordinary empathy and breathtaking selfishness,” stated Clark in her more than 12-minute address. “Our collective journey oscillates between these poles. Cooperation and competition, fairness and fear, dialogue and dominance. When the balance holds, societies flourish. When it breaks, justice and civilization itself begin to unravel.”

But overall, the mood was buoyant amongst council regarding the term.

“I am truly optimistic,” said Clugston, former city alderman and mayor and now newly elected councillor. “This is a good crew.”

His advice for his fellow council members is if there is an initiative they wish to pursue to get moving on it right away.

“I told this new council, if you have a project you want to get done, it needs to start today. Everybody thinks four years is a really long time but boy, can it pass by quickly,” he said.”

Fellow former alderman and now councillor Cocks says council has met informally to chart out what they’d like to see this term.

“We’re looking for some early wins so, stay tuned,” he said.

Brian Varga commented it is a new day for him following returning to council following an absence during the last term.

“It’s a new challenge again, a new way of life again for me after four years being out of it and I’m looking forward to the challenge,” he said.

An excited Cheryl Phaff remarked on the large crowd which gathered to witness the oath of office ceremony.

“I think it shows a great public engagement on their part and that they are looking to pay attention to what we’re doing and I think that’s an important part of democracy,” she said.

Top councillor vote getter Yusuf Mohammed said council wants to get an understanding of the state of the city currently and is ready to get to work.

“I think the best thing to do is get in there and get to know who is involved with what and just really assess the situation before we make any decisions,” he said.

Stu Young commented on the difference of being in council chambers when it’s been packed before with angry residents versus Monday’s event which saw a more cheerful crowd.

“I feel very excited, but I also feel very humble and to be completely honest, I do have a bit of nerves and wanting to do good – not to be wanting myself look good but to make sure I’m representing the city well,” he said.

Chris Hellman said he’s looking forward to working with this council for the next four years.

“I think we can work as a cohesive unit,” noting he’s looking forward to working with fellow councillors and the public after receiving committee appointments Monday. “As far as teamwork is concerned, I’m just excited about who’s around the table with me and I’m excited about the committees I’ve been appointed to and working with those groups too.”

Coun. Dan Reynish was not available for comment.

Clark echoed the sentiments of councillors, calling the moment exciting, remarking on the size of the crowd to watch the swearing-in ceremony and the desire to work together.

“This council has an opportunity to really push some things forward by collaborating. . .There is a lot of depth in our group for sure,” said Clark.

The mayor also remarked on council’s first major tasked – as did many other councillors – finding a new city manager.

That work began in earnest with a new employee committee tasked with hiring a new top administrator for the city.

“If we cast our net a little bit wider, I think Medicine Hat is such an amazing opportunity for the right CAO to put their mark on Medicine Hat and take us to that place of innovation that we once were,” she said.

Council will be meeting next on Nov. 10 for budget discussions.