Morden mayor Nancy Penner has named a new deputy mayor for the city of Morden, Doug Frost who is in his fourth term on council.
Penner outlined why she made this decision two years before the next election.
“Frost has been a long-standing and highly valued member of council. His dedication and leadership across a number of key subcommittees has been instrumental in driving our shared goals. That was a critical factor in my selecting him as deputy mayor, and it's a role I'm confident he will excel in as deputy Mayor, Doug of course will step in whenever I'm unavailable or managing overlapping commitments, and I have complete trust in his ability to handle these responsibilities with the professionalism and dedication that have defined his tenure on council.”
This is the second time Frost has served in this capacity. He shared his reaction to the appointment.
“I'm honoured to be asked by Mayor Penner to serve as their deputy mayor for the next year. I look forward to working alongside her and the rest of Council for the betterment of Morden and Citizens. Well, I think I'll bring a new perspective to this role, I’m sure. I've been told I'm not politically correct at times, and maybe that's not necessarily a bad thing. I'm not afraid to speak my mind and will always stand up for what I feel is best for the city. I'm also not afraid to admit if I was wrong.”
Penner highlighted some of the work Frost has been involved in to prepare him for the role, which will include him stepping in for her when she is unable or at another engagement.
“Doug is on a number of subcommittees that our council participates in. He's been a long-term member on Menzies Medical Center Board, he's also acting chair of the MSTW Planning District, and he's on the airport authority and the daycare. So, that was my reason for selecting Doug as deputy mayor and that will be a one-year term position.”
Frost identified his focus moving forward.
“I think as everybody knows, the biggest challenge in front of us is the wastewater. And alongside mayor and Council, I look forward to resolving this huge issue in a matter that is affordable not only to the city but to the residents who pay the taxes. It would be nice to do, do everything the citizens are asking for in regard to fixing sidewalks etc, but the budget is going to be tight and there's only so much money to go around and until we get this wastewater figured out. That's the reality of it.”