Andrew Prokop, mayor of Taber (Photo courtesy Andrew Prokop)

By Justin Goulet

Year-end review: Taber Mayor Andrew Prokop

Dec 31, 2020 | 6:15 AM

TABER, AB – The COVID-19 pandemic was top of mind for a lot of people in 2020, including those working in local government.

However, as difficult as 2020 was, Taber mayor Andrew Prokop told LNN that the community celebrated some significant developments. On September 12, the town marked three grand openings.

One was for the Trout Pond Campground, which was officially opened for the summer. Mayor Prokop said that project was in the works for about the last four years.

The recreational site houses a stocked pond, walking trails, nine stalls and 30-amp service.

The second opening was for the Ken McDonald Memorial Sportsfield.

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A new baseball diamond, named after local Dr. Gerald Beckie, was opened at the outdoor venue. This was a project that took around three years to be completed.

The third event on September 12 marked the opening of the William Ferguson Emergency Services Building. The facility serves as the home of the Taber Fire Department and AHS Emergency Services. Prokop noted the building is the culmination of about six years worth of work.

“That was a big day for us and the accumulation of a lot of hard work by the Town of Taber administration, council and contractors attached to all those projects,” Prokop told LNN, giving kudos to all workers that helped bring these projects to life.

DEALING WITH A PANDEMIC

“It’s been a tough year in a lot of ways, but you still have to move forward with everything and anything that’s going on, trying to make [the] community a better place for all our Town of Taber and area residents and visitors alike,” Prokop said.

He noted the flooding seen within the M.D. of Taber a few years ago was a challenging time for all residents, but COVID-19 was something completely different.

READ MORE: Roads, farmland, homes feeling effects of MD of Taber flood

“We got through the first phase and things we’re looking good with the two different phases of the relaunch and then it stalled and now we’re back to these heavier restrictions than we’ve ever seen and just three different changes in the last month. That’s a huge difficulty for the whole country,” Prokop commented.

“I’d say that’s [COVID-19] definitely right up there with any difficult issues that we’ve faced, for sure.”

TOWN COUNCIL’S RESPONSE

Prokop said he and his council have been kept very busy, noting there’s been an increase in virtual meetings with other government officials. Personally, he said he’s answered many questions from concerned residents about COVID-19 rules and restrictions.

“There’s no doubt there’s a fair share of inconsistencies that are frustrating and difficult for all of us to deal with that aren’t always crystal clear, not enough clarity to say exactly what’s required for the different rule changes,” Prokop told LNN.

“Overall, I’ve gotta give our local and area residents credit for their patience, perseverance and understanding to follow suit, follow all the proper guidelines as best [as they] can, and it’s been an education for all of us.” _{– Taber Mayor Andrew Prokop}

He believes council has done a good job in handling the pandemic.

“I believe we’ve done our best to achieve those requirements, those goals and trying to do our part as best as we can and encourage that accordingly and show that good leadership and certainly open to any questions,” he said.

One of the measures taken by council, before a mask mandate was implemented province-wide, was to approve a face mask bylaw at the municipal level to help combat the spread of COVID-19.

READ MORE: Face mask bylaw approved in Taber

“For the most part, overall, as a whole our community residents are following through properly and are quite receptive of all the different changes required,” Prokop said.

NEW BUSINESSES

Unfortunately, local businesses were hit hard by the pandemic, with people losing jobs and wages being cut. On the positive side of things, Prokop said Taber saw a total of 41 new businesses set up in the town.

“To me, that’s always a great number to see. Last year, I believe it was 48 but to me, for the kind of year we had, 41 is a great number,” the mayor said.

“To have 41 new businesses, that’s a great asset for the community and area, and nothing but a benefit for the community overall and for keeping our town viable and thriving on a regular basis.”

Prokop credited the strength of any businesses currently operating in the town and issued support for all businesses that felt the negative impacts of the pandemic.

INTO THE NEW YEAR

Prokop noted one “fairly large” capital project that was not completed this year and is due to be finished “sometime in the spring” is the 56 Avenue and Highway 64 extension.

“That’s been a major project there and I believe it’s roughly a 3-million dollar bill all totaled. Actually, it was due to be completed this year, but different weather issues and things like that got in the way, so it’s earmarked to be completed in the spring [of 2021],” he told LNN.

Background on the project, before the delays, can be found here.

Going into the new year, Prokop said he remains optimistic.

He said even with a pandemic, it’s important to ensure work on town assets such as roads, water and sewage, continues to be monitored and completed efficiently.

“We’re trying to be eternally optimistic as always, as difficult as these times have been,” he said.

“[It’s] back to the old story, you’re heard it before, but we are all in this together and we will get through this together, absolutely.”

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