Betty Lou Palko has been acclaimed as Mayor of Hudson Bay/Courtesy Betty Lou Palko

By Doug Lett

New Mayor Hudson Bay

New Hudson Bay mayor enthusiastic about community

Oct 29, 2022 | 8:00 AM

The town of Hudson Bay in northeast Saskatchewan has a new mayor. Betty Lou Palko, who’s been on town council for nearly 20 years, was acclaimed on Wednesday. The town’s previous mayor retired in September.

Palko said her biggest goal is just to see a number of major projects completed, such as a new outdoor swimming pool for the town of 1400.

“So, my feeling was that just that someone who had been around and who knew a little of the projects…that might be the time that I should step up to the plate,” said Palko.

Besides a new pool, the town is also working on a walking trail, and a major upgrade to its sewage lift station.

Palko said the old pool has been ripped out, and they’ve started pouring cement for the new one. But as with many things, costs keep going up.

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“But then as we get the quotes, they come over what we thought they would be, we can see that we’re going to have to work a little harder at this,” said Palko, adding the community is already committed to fundraising some of the money.

Palko said when her term runs out in two years, she intends to step back and let someone else take over. But at the same time, the lifelong Hudson Bay resident radiates enthusiasm for the community.

“To a lot of people, we just seem so isolated and secluded,” said Palko. “It’s like, well, why would anybody go to Hudson Bay? Well, why wouldn’t they go to Hudson Bay would be my response,” she said.

“Just the beauty, the nature that surrounds us, if you’re someone who loves nature, we have lakes and rivers and trees…” added Palko. “It’s absolutely a beautiful place to live and it’s friendly. In fact, two days ago, I met a lady who had just recently moved here. And she said ‘I’ve lived in four communities and I’ve only been here two months and I felt more welcomed than I have felt any place people are talking to me…they’re making me feel welcome’,” said Palko.

While Palko has been acclaimed as mayor, it means her spot on the six-member town council needs to be filled. So the town has opened nominations for her old seat until 4 p.m. on November 16th.

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doug.lett@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @DougLettSK