A Moment with the Mayor: What keeps me going?

I am often asked how and why you keep doing what you do. Attending meetings, public events and opportunities for our city is constant, and I want to share some of my incredible support in today’s article. 

I am blessed with many people who give me strength and help keep me humble and on track. I am blessed each day, and I take time to pray and reflect on everything my family is blessed with. I take time to give thanks for the day, the sunlight or moisture, the clouds and whatever the weather brings our way. We’re blessed with fresh air and transforming sunrises and sunsets with such magnificence.

I am blessed by a beautiful wife and family. I can always count on my wife’s support. I also know that she asks me the toughest questions about the city, our actions, goals and deliverables. I am blessed to have her join me at events in and around our city. She often drives me to meetings so I can focus on work. With our family's support, I can do the job of mayor, knowing that they are ok and will work around my schedule to chat or see each other in person depending on the event or meeting. Our family helps provide the extra boost of energy required to motivate me to tackle a project or two at home or on the holidays.

I continue to be blessed by the city councillors and city administration. The city council members are energetic and bring thoughts and ideas from the community to every council meeting. Their support and teamwork are evident each time they join me at meetings and conferences. They speak passionately about Lloydminster and the area. City administration supports me as mayor, day in and day out, with information, letters and even the occasional speech. They strive to get me to meetings and events on time.

You, the residents and businesses, provide a boost of energy, encouraging me to stay the course or to make a correction of course from your point of view. I enjoy chatting and discussing many topics with you every week. I can say the vast interest from residents in the various issues and topics helps keep me grounded and prepared to discuss everything the city is involved in and even more. The level of interest provides a battery charge to me as many of you share similar aspirations, concerns and general questions. No matter the location, event or gathering, I truly appreciate your questions and quest for understanding.

Thank you for letting me share the information that I can, and I always look forward to the next opportunity to share the latest news and information with you. And thank you for your openness and the support that we receive. We enjoy being with you and connecting with you in and around our community.

Mayor Gerald S. Aalbers
City of Lloydminster