Saskatchewan Court of Queens Bench Justice Hon. Gerald Allbright rarely cracks a smile in the courtroom when a serious legal case is on the line.
But the distinguished judge does have a wry sense of humour.
Allbright presided over the swearing-in of Warman’s new Mayor and City Councillors at a special meeting on Monday, November 16. In a deceptively sombre tone from the podium on the stage of the Brian King Centre, Allbright assured the newly-elected officials that this was not just a “ceremonial” occasion.
Indeed, he added, the next four years amount to the sentence handed down to them by voters.
“You can look forward to four years of hard labour and non-stop community service, with no opportunity for parole, even though you are expected to maintain good behaviour,” said Allbright.
“If you do a good job and seek re-election down the road, your reward could well be another four-year sentence.”
Allbright said municipal government is the closest to the people, and is therefore the most relevant to everyone’s daily lives.
“Municipal government is up close and personal,” said Allbright. “The people’s trust has been placed in your hands, and you must fulfill your duties and obligations to the best of your ability.”
Allbright said each city councillor brings a particular set of skills to the decision-making table; and by working together as a team, councillors and the mayor can lead the city into the future.
Allbright administered the Oath of Office to the newly-elected Mayor, Gary Philipchuk; the three incumbent councillors: Kevin Tooley, Trevor Peterson and Richard Beck; and also the three rookie councillors Marshall Seed, Tracey Johnson and Doug Ramage.
After accepting the City of Warman gavel from retiring Mayor Sheryl Spence, Philipchuk said the coming year will be challenging because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
But, he added, those challenges will be met and overcome.
“Times are difficult, but we’ll get through it,” said Philipchuk. “Four years from now we’ll be able to look back at this time and see how far we’ve come.
“This is not the year to get everything we want,” he concluded. “But it is the year to appreciate all we have.”