The SUMA convention wrapped up its four-day convention in Saskatoon on Wednesday.
The 112th annual convention saw Gordon Barnhart, councillor in the Town of Saltcoats, elected as the new president. He took over at the close of the convention on Wednesday.
“I look forward to working with our new board on behalf of Saskatchewan’s hometowns over the next four years,” said Barnhart in a statement Wednesday.
“This is a group of passionate and dedicated elected officials who will work hard to make progress on the issues affecting Saskatchewan’s cities, towns, villages and northern municipalities.”
In addition to Barnhart, a number of other executive offices were settled as well. Elected officials include:
Mayor Rodger Hayward of Naicam as vice-president of towns;
Mayor Mike Strachan of Torquay as vice-president of villages, resort villages and northern municipalities;
Councillor Darren Hill of Saskatoon, as Saskatoon/Regina executive member;
Mayor Bobby Woods of Buffalo Narrows as northern regional director.
Finally, with Strachan moving to the executive committee from a regional director position, councillor Lori Stephan of Broadview becomes the new southeast regional director.
Delegates heard from Premier Brad Wall on Monday and from minister of municipal affairs Donna Harpauer on Tuesday.
Other highlights of the convention included the keynote speech of curler Joan McCusker on Tuesday, the attendance of the entire provincial cabinet at the bear pit session Wednesday and the recognition of 14 long-serving municipal employees and seven long-serving council members at the President’s Banquet and Awards Ceremony.
A total of eight resolutions were passed Tuesday afternoon during the resolution session at the convention.
