By TERRY PUGH
Erica Baerwald is stepping into the role of Mayor of Hepburn with mixed emotions after being acclaimed to the position in a byelection last month.
While she’s excited to help guide her community over the next four years, she’s also deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of the man who was elected by acclamation to the Mayor’s chair in late October.
Neal Mihalicz, who had served on Hepburn town council from 2020 to 2024, passed away at the age of 67 after a brief illness on October 31, 2024 with his family at his side. His death came just three weeks after he was acclaimed Mayor at the close of nominations October 9. His funeral was held November 7.
“Neal would have made an exceptional mayor,” said Baerwald in an interview January 2. “He took his role on council very seriously, he had a great heart, great skills and he really cared about his community. The tragedy that unfolded with his sudden passing was so unexpected for everyone; it left a real void.”
Baerwald, along with Joe Homontowski, Rob Lyon and Alvin Thielmann, were acclaimed to Hepburn Town Council October 9, the same day Mihalicz was acclaimed Mayor. She had previously served on council from 2020 to 2024, and during that time grew to know and respect Mihalicz and his leadership skills.
“At his memorial service, what came to light was how he was the cornerstone of his family,” said Baerwald. “His relationship with his children and his grandson was truly inspirational.”
He also had a long history of community involvement and volunteering in charitable organizations.
“He had only lived in Hepburn for a year when he chose to run for council in 2020,” said Baerwald. “And he put his name forward because he really cared about public service.”
Baerwald, who ran for the NDP in the Warman constituency (which includes the town of Hepburn) in last fall’s provincial election, said as the only returning town councillor, she “felt the call” to put her name forward in the byelection for Mayor.
“I love our community,” she said. “We have some really exciting opportunities on the horizon, and we’ve made some key advances in the past few years. I felt a desire to see the work continue and I’m grateful that people felt confident in my ability to do the job.”
Baerwald said the Hepburn Heritage Common facility (the former Bethany College) is proving to be a major benefit to the community. Upgrades worth nearly $4 million, thanks in large part to grant funding through the federal-provincial infrastructure program, have been ongoing, and Baerwald expects the project to be completed in the next year.
Work is also proceeding on improvements to the town’s sewage lagoon to ensure it has capacity for continued population growth.
“The goal is to make Hepburn a place where people want to continue to move to,” said Baerwald. “It’s all about building and strengthening the community.”