Mountain View County Div. 4 councillor Bruce Beattie has been re-elected to a second term as county reeve by his fellow councillors.During last week's regularly scheduled county council meeting, Div. 2 councillor Patricia McKean was also re-elected deputy reeve. Both appointments are for one-year terms.The reeve is the chief spokesperson for the county, chairing council meetings and representing the county at public functions. The deputy serves the same function in the absence of the reeve.Both the reeve and deputy reeve are elected by their fellow councillors.“It's certainly an honour to be considered and to be trusted with that position,” Beattie said following his re-election last week. “It's a good group of councillors and I think we are headed in the right direction. I appreciate the opportunity to complete my term (on council) as reeve.”Beattie was first elected reeve in October 2011 following the resignation as reeve of Coun. Paddy Munro, who remains on council.“It was a big learning experience,” he said. “Perhaps this year I will be more comfortable in the position in recognizing what the position of reeve is, and perhaps be able to take a stronger role in the leadership of the county.“We are a pretty good team and we recognize that each of us has strengths and we take advantage of those strengths. We each have different opinions but in the long run we are able to talk through them and come to agreements.”Beattie said passing of the county's new municipal development plans was a highlight of his first year as reeve.As for the next term, Beattie says he expects the issues surrounding transportation and roads in the county to be one of the top jobs facing councillors.“The road network is a major priority for our residents and so we will be coming back with a business plan that looks forward over the next few years. I think that is going to be a major priority this year,” he said.“As well, we have a number of area structure plans to deal with. The east side of Olds hasn't gone away and we will be working with those developers and hopefully we can come up with a good agreement that will benefit all of us.”Asked if he has considered seeking another term when the next municipal election is held a year from now, Beattie said, “Not very much, and in particular with the advent of the province suggesting four-year terms, it is going to be tough decisions for all councillors. To commit for four years is a long time.”
