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Kindrat looking to stabilize RM of Torch River council

Jan 19, 2018 | 4:00 PM

Seeking change, the residents of the rural municipality of Torch River turned to Jerry Kindrat.

Kindrat, who has lived in the RM for about a dozen years was elected as reeve in Wednesday’s byelection that also filled two vacant council seats. The election was necessary after the former reeve and two members of council resigned late last year. “Code of ethics” complaints are currently being investigated by legal counsel. Kindrat told northeastNOW the troubles are in the past.

“It’s too bad people dwell on bad news, but we have had a dark cloud hanging over us. I think a lot of it was personal grudges, but we will get over that,” he said.

Kindrat is from the Ridgedale area near Carrot River and spent time on council for the RM of Connaught. He said he will bring that experience to Torch River’s council and lead the group that includes newly elected Ken Runn and Richard Pickett.

“The job of reeve is chairing meetings and steering people in the right direction with a bit of influence. If everyone does their job it can be fun,” he said.

Kindrat sought election because he wanted accountability brought back to the position. He is also recently retired and felt he had the time. He said municipal politics is thankless, but the residents were looking for change and he’s honoured the voters chose him.

“I did it to get a level of consistency in the RM and get an element of trust and confidence instilled back in it,” he said.

Kindrat, Runn and Pickett will join Dave LaRose, Carissa Schmidt, Peter Lubyk and Tom Jensen on council. The group will meet for the first time Feb. 9.

 

Clark.stork@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @ClarkStork