The first meeting of the new Council for 2021 saw it fit to have consultant Keith Schneider spell out the roles, responsibilities, and goals for the Town of Regina Beach for the next four years, which is the Council’s term.
All elected members were present for the outline at the January 12th meeting. Members include Mayor Randy Vollman, Councillors Jared Rommens, Mark Oldershaw, Sandi Metz, Barry Wasnik, Kaley Bancescue and Shawn Langford. The outline detailed what each member has envisioned for building community and opportunities.
Having Regina Beach recognized as a vacation destination for everyone and a proud place of residence for those who live here year-round. Ensuring there be available a wide range of activities for both residents and visitors, with a fiscal plan to meet the community’s needs, for both the old and the young. Recreation activities for all, during any season. And that there be good roads on which to travel while in Town.
The mission that was agreed upon was that Regina Beach is an affordable place to live, with community engagement, recreational opportunities, business opportunities, with good communication.
Mayor Vollman expressed an interest in hearing from any local experts to advise in the committees making decisions moving forward.
Flags
At present, three flags hang at the edge of town. One is a flag of the Province, another a flag of Canada, and the other, a Saskatchewan Roughriders flag. A few weeks ago, that Roughriders flag caused a ruffle.
This part of the valley is historic Treaty Four land. The area just west of Regina Beach and all of Regina Beach is historically significant. Cree Ancestors lived here, fed their families here and settled in this part of the south shore. Those Ancestors were forced to give up the land, except for that small part called Kinookimaw, which seven Bands still retain jurisdiction. The land is Indigenous Reserve land, which is why local resident Justin Freitag wrote a letter, asking that Council remove the Roughrider flag and replace it with a Treaty 4 flag, which would fly alongside a Province of Saskatchewan flag and a Canadian flag.
The Town has responded by coming up with a policy whereby a flag other than the three currently flying will be added, meaning a fourth flag pole will be erected. Details on this plan will be presented at the next meeting of Council, at the end of the month.
- Carol Rose GoldenEagle
