Chris Spearman issues last State of the City address as Lethbridge mayor

“I think everybody knows that you don’t get anything done as one person and there were a number of very successful projects [where] I was fortunate to be the mayor, and have people working with me to achieve them. There were some milestone projects that were completed in the last eight years,” Spearman stated.

Some of those ‘milestone projects’ over the last eight years included the opening of the $430-million-dollar Cavendish potato processing plant and the opening of the Science Commons building at the U of L.

READ MORE: $430-million-dollar Cavendish potato processing facility now officially open

READ MORE: U of L officially opens Science Commons building with “Big Bang” celebration

Spearman also highlighted the downtown Park ‘n’ Ride Transit Terminal and its positive impact on the city.

READ MORE: City celebrates grand opening of new Park ‘n’ Ride Transit Terminal

“I never want to overlook that there’s people in our city that don’t have their own vehicles, people that rely on public transit who previously had to wait outside in the cold [for the bus],” Spearman remarked.

He added that the City of Lethbridge had heard from residents that there was a lack of parking in the downtown core, and the transit terminal has helped alleviate that concern.

“Some of those structural things are great accomplishments, but they certainly were done together with people who worked here at the city and people out here in the community to make that happen.”

Spearman reflected on watching a Lethbridge Hurricanes game with Cavendish Farms President Robert Irving.

“After that, we basically sealed the deal on the investment in Lethbridge. He was more interested in the hockey game, he wasn’t interested in talking business, he wanted to know the names of the players so if I had to pick one thing, that was pretty cool…having a chat about junior hockey with Robert Irving.”

RECONCILIATION

Spearman said he’s proud of the work the city and staff have done to address issues of reconciliation.

In September 2019, the Blackfoot word ‘Oki’ was adopted as the official City of Lethbridge greeting.

“I was thrilled by how it was accepted by people in Lethbridge and certainly, it’s a way of showing respect to our Blackfoot people who live here, too,” the mayor said.

Spearman also cited council’s approval of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) work plan, allocating $435,000 to the group for efforts in reconciliation.

READ MORE: Council approves MMIWG $435,000 work plan

COVID-19

Like all other communities across the country and the world, Lethbridge has felt the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Spearman praised the efforts of city council to address the safety of residents. He noted that Lethbridge was one of the first municipalities in Alberta to adopt a face mask bylaw, in August 2020.

READ MORE: Lethbridge City Council approves face mask bylaw

“We knew this was an important piece in protecting the health and safety of our community and making masking a social norm in the city. We also did this to help protect our local businesses and stablish a safe environment so they could keep their doors open,” Spearman said.

The city’s face mask bylaw was eventually extended in November.

SOCIAL CHALLENGES

The mayor did not avoid touching on the subject of homelessness, addiction, mental health and poverty in Lethbridge.

“I understand and can plainly see that our city is dealing with complex and serious social issues, but we have shown real resilience in times of hardship in our city,” he said.

“Until we get the full scope of needed detox, intox, supportive housing and treatment facilities that our city so desperately needs, we will continue to be required to react as council and as a community to ever-changing social issues related to drugs and poverty.”

Spearman said when it comes to those complex issues, he believes everyone wants the same thing.

“We want our community to feel safe and clean, a place we are proud to call home, we also want those impacted by drug addiction and poverty to get the support and care they need. Lastly, we want to see action to make this happen,” he commented.

“We’ve been struggling for eight years, asking for those services and trying to get something in place to assist those vulnerable populations and ease the social issues in our city.”

With all that said, Spearman noted that change is happening an ‘immense resources’ are dedicated to resolving social issues in YQL.

“Due to the hard work with and collaboration with organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown BRZ, Alberta Health Services, and likely many of you here today, we are seeing change… from the clean sweep crews that are out tidying and cleaning our streets first thing in the morning to The Watch teams out patrolling and we are dedicated resources to affect the change.”

911 EMS DISPATCH

Spearman discussed the consolidation of 911 EMS dispatch services brought forward by the provincial government. Spearman was one of four mayors who have been vocal about their displeasure with the decision.

READ MORE: Alberta mayors plea to save local 911 EMS dispatch as consolidation starts Jan. 12

“I want to assure residents that the City of Lethbridge will do our collective best under the new EMS dispatch consolidation model that began two weeks ago. The safety of our residents is always the top priority, he said, in his State of the City address.

LOOKING FORWARD

Looking ahead, Spearman is optimistic for the future of Lethbridge.

He listed some highlights to be excited about include construction finishing on the new west Lethbridge fire hall and the city hosting the 2022 Brier curling event.

Budget-wise, Spearman expects to see a new provincial budget in February and as the provincial government faces some challenges related to COVID-19, funding to the city could change, as it has in the past.

READ MORE: Mayor: “Budget of austerity” to impact Lethbridge going forward

Spearman concluded his State of the City by saying he’s excited to spend more time with his family upon his retirement, but he plans to continue giving his all as mayor right up until he leaves office.

by Justin Goulet

Chris Spearman issues last State of the City address as Lethbridge mayor

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