If there was any doubt that town CAO Todd Becker was going to go for broke to prove there's a new attitude at town hall the hiring last week of Michelle Honeyman should jettison those doubts, even for some who still hold deep lingering suspicions about the way the town previously conducted its business.
However, Becker is serious about changing the way things have been done. Public engagement is written over every major initiative administration has brought before council this year, from the Strategic Plan, reviewing the location of the new skateboard park, the legalization of cannabis and the controversial landscaping bylaw, with the latter now just about a done deal and pleasing once angry business owners at Westgate Industrial Park. Was there any such hope and happiness with the previous administration?
Yes, so far so good for Becker. All the right moves are being made since arriving last August, although the just passed Council Code of Conduct does cause some concern and the scribbler will be writing about that in a future commentary.
But let's get back to Honeyman. She arrives with an impeccable professional background from Olds. But Olds is an entirely different community than Innisfail, which is still undergoing a huge transition and recovery since the public anger that rocked the town from the fall of 2016 and well into 2017.
Honeyman's soon-to-be ex-boss in Olds raves about her people skills. Becker wants to take advantage of that and is quick to note 80 per cent of her job will be public relations. He wants her front and centre with the community, with many citizens having concerns over the state of current recreational facilities.
Honeyman has to use her people skills to soothe the nervousness of the horseshoe community. The club will probably have to move to a new location to make way for the new skatepark. Minor football wants improvements to their field behind the high school, and they've never been happy with user fees because of the state the field is in. And what about the idea of a future multi-million-dollar multiplex -- a central gathering place the town desperately needs? Since last fall's municipal election the issue has quietly but seriously percolated with many in the community who too often complain there is nothing to do in Innisfail. The town needs a senior director to take charge of this discussion, and Honeyman just might be the perfect fit.
Better yet she can join Becker on one of his public engagement strolls along Main Street, shake hands and smile. It just might prove the remaining doubters wrong.
