(file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Charlene Tebbutt

economic development

City council approves new suggestions for PREDA board

May 14, 2019 | 8:00 AM

Prince Albert city council has approved a revised list of suggested names for its new regional economic alliance after the first raised eyebrows amongst councillors.

Local councillors quickly approved the new list of seven names at a short special meeting of council Monday afternoon. Five of the seven will be chosen to sit on the newly-formed Prince Albert Regional Economic Development Alliance (PREDA) when the founding members get together to meet for the first time next week.

There was no discussion about the revised list Monday. Mayor Greg Dionne said he’s pleased the project can now move forward.

“This is the right time to be doing it, the economy seems like it’s turning around,” he said. “We didn’t look at your residency and we didn’t look at your popularity, we looked at your skills.”

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Those on the new list also live in the Prince Albert area, or have business dealings here, Dionne said. That was a sticking point for some councillors previously, who argued those who represent Prince Albert should also have a connection here.

The initial list of suggested names included a business owner and resident of Shellbrook. The approved list of seven names for the five director spots now include, Gord Broda, Dan Yungwirth, Sharon Hopkins, Lynn Jansen, April Roberts-Poitras, Allan Webb, and Matthew Vermette.

Going forward, Dionne said he’s also hoping to form a special mayor’s advisory group with some of those who don’t make it on to the PREDA board to provide advice on promoting economic development.

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Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt