by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION — Cathy Regier is ready for the next challenge in municipal politics.
The Whitewater Region councillor has eight years of experience under her belt and it’s time to step it up. She’s tossed her hat into the ring for the reeve’s position. Current reeve Terry Millar will not be seeking re-election.
“I’m ready for the next level,” she said, adding, “I’m ready for the next challenge.”
Since first elected in 2010, Coun. Regier has gained knowledge, experience and confidence.
She admits a year ago she decided she was going to run for the position, and as a courtesy, let Reeve Millar know.
While Coun. Regier said nothing happens with just her one vote, things do happen for the residents of the township because their concerns are brought to the table. Two concerns she has brought to the table in the past year were discussed, agreed to by council and now things are happening. The first is more signage on Robertson Drive. While it is marked 50 K/h once in each direction, there are no signs coming from the country into Beachburg that the speed goes from 80 k/h down to 50 k/h. Her other concern that was dealt with in a positive manner was a street light to be erected by the county at the intersection of Beachburg and Westmeath roads.
“These issues were not accomplished alone, but by a team effort, by all of council,” Coun. Regier said. “They are really a good team and we have good staff as well.”
Her biggest accomplishment in the past year was stepping up as chair of corporate services, which encompasses finance and human resources. She noted Mayor Hal Johnson had the confidence in her to make a change in chairmanship, putting her in charge.
If elected as reeve, Coun. Regier said her work is cut out for her, because she believes there needs to be better communication between the municipal and county levels of government.
She has already attended a few county council meetings and is hoping to attend more until the election.
Over the next few months, Coun. Regier will be canvassing homes, attending various events, and speaking to people whenever she can, to find out what their issues are.
“I want to find out what I can do for them as a (reeve),” she said.
Prior to filing her papers, Coun. Regier spoke to her employers, and with her commitment to working three days a week, and no weekends, she believes if elected she can fulfil the reeve’s duties.
She also admitted her father Don Rathwell, who was a municipal reeve for many years, has not yet given her any words of wisdom.
“He’s excited for me,” she said.
Looking back to when she came on council in 2010, Coun. Regier said, “It was an honour for me. Not everyone had the opportunity or privilege to sit on council with their dad.”
Coun. Regier said husband Greg supports her in her next step, because he knows, as does she, that she can balance the many jobs of wife, mother, grandparent and employee along with being a municipal politician.
Laughing, she said, “He (Greg) eats the odd meal alone.”
As a municipal politician, a person can be “as busy as you want to be. Dad went to everything. But he was retired. It’s different when you are working.”
But, with weekends off, Coun. Regier will have more opportunity to speak to people because she will be able to attend events.
