Councillors April Phillips, Trent Mitchell, Brian Enge, Doug Terry, Tim Hoenmans, and Tara Muntain pose with Mayor Glenn George as council held their final meeting Monday night. (Cam Lee/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Mixed emotions

Laughs and a few tears as Melfort’s council meets for final time before election

Nov 5, 2024 | 10:51 AM

Mixed emotions for a pair of councillors in Melfort at their final council meeting last night.

The municipal election will be held next Wednesday, Nov. 13. Tim Hoenmans and April Phillips chose not to run for re-election.

Hoenmans said he hoped the current council left things better than when they began.

“I hope the residents of the city feel that way and I had a good time – it was eye opening,” Hoenmans said as he addressed council just before the meeting was adjourned.

“At times it was eye-opening accompanied by white knuckles on the wheel, but it was definitely eye-opening and a good time.”

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Phillips said her final council meeting was bittersweet, and the decision not to run was difficult.

“Twelve years, it’s been a huge part of my life, and I just felt it was time,” she said.

She had always thought she would only do two terms on council but chose to run for a third in the 2020 election.

“I’m very honoured that I had the opportunity to run for 12 years, that the citizens of Melfort gave me that honour and put me in that seat and re-elected me, and I’m just forever grateful for that.”

Each councillor and the mayor also made announcements about this iteration of council during Monday’s meeting.

Coun. Trent Mitchell thanked his fellow councillors for their efforts during the four-year term, and said he is excited about the group of candidates for councillor in the upcoming election.

Coun. Tara Muntain said she appreciated all of the help from council during her first term on council.

Brian Enge said he appreciated this run on council, after having previously been a councillor. He said it was a real team environment, and council had Melfort’s best interests at heart.

Coun. Doug Terry gave kudos to both council and administration for their work, saying it could be the best team of administrators during his lengthy time on council.

Mitchell, Muntain, Enge, and Terry are all seeking re-election.

Mayor Glenn George, who was re-elected by acclamation, thanked Hoenmans and Phillips for their contributions, and said it was a great council. He added that while all were elected as individuals, they formed a great team.

In other council notes, the Melfort Communities in Bloom committee was on hand to address council, and thank the city for their support.

Myra Busby addresses council on behalf of Melfort Communities in Bloom. (Cam Lee/northeastNOW Staff)

The Melfort contingent earned a 5 Blooms Bronze rating at the national event, and spokesperson Myra Busby said the success of the organizations shows the value of volunteerism in the community.

Council gave the delegation a round of applause for their success, and all councillors and Mayor Glenn George congratulated them on the results and the value that they bring to the city.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @northeastNOW_SK