Skip to content

Agassiz councillors thanked for years of service

New council receives portfolios for next two years
65843agassiz1204holgerWEB
Holger Schwichtenberg unwraps a thank you gift from the District of Kent for his nine years of service as a councillor there.

The inauguration of a new council in the District of Kent included a few moments to honour the councillors not returning this term.

Holger Schwichtenberg chose not to run again, and Dr. Lorne Fisher ran for re-election unsuccessfully.

Schwichtenberg has spent nine years as a Kent councillor, and Mayor John Van Laerhoven read out a few of his achievements over time. They include the Agricultural Recycling Program and Annual Agricultural Day, and the development of the Mountainview Trail.

Van Laerhoven said Schwichtenberg was "very committed and thoroughly knowledgable" and that he will be missed at the District. An emotional Schwichtenberg noted that when he began as a councillor, one of his sons was only a year old. That same son is now 10, and the family is looking forward to more time together.

Schwichtenberg thanked his wife for her support, and the staff for being "professional and very helpful."

Dr. Fisher was also thanked for his time serving the community, two terms on council, one as mayor, and time spent on the school board as well.

He was presented with a collage of photographs highlighting those many years on council, as well as a beautiful framed print of his hometown, Dog River, SK.

The next council meeting will be held Dec. 8, and the new council will have their orientation on Wed. Jan. 7.

The council for the next four years will be Mayor John Van Laerhoven, along with councillors Darcy Striker, Duane Post, Sylvia Pranger and Susan Spaeti.

Councillors were given their portfolios and committee appointments at the inaugural meeting, held Monday night. Some of the appointments include: Van Laerhoven will be on the Kent-Harrison Joint Emergency Program committee and the Health Services Select committee, as well as the FVRD, FVRL and regional hospital board. Striker's portfolio includes the Agassiz Agricultural and Horticultural Association and the Chamber of Commerce.

Post's work will include the drainage committee, Farmers Market and the LMLGA Flood Control and River Management Committee. Pranger's portfolio includes the museum, Communities in Bloom, the joint emergency program, Fraser Valley Aboriginal Relations Committee, Fraser Heritage Society, and the institutions.

Spaeti will liaise with the Kent Agricultural Advisory Committee, Healthy Communities, the Kent Harrison Foundation and the Fraser Health Municipal Government Advisory Council.

The portfolios, liaisons and appointments will be changed after two years.

news@ahobserver.com

 

 

 

 

 



Jessica Peters

About the Author: Jessica Peters

I began my career in 1999, covering communities across the Fraser Valley ever since.
Read more