Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland has received a Distinguished Service Award from Alberta Municipalities for his years of service.
Last week, Jasper鈥檚 council went to the Alberta Municipalities Conference where Ireland received his award.
The award recognizes elected officials in Alberta municipalities who have served for 20 years or more in an Alberta municipality.
鈥淲e cannot think of anyone more deserving of this Distinguished Service Award than Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland,鈥� the nomination stated.
Ireland was first elected chair of the Jasper town committee in 1989, and was the chief community representative and spokesman in local government negotiations with the federal and provincial governments.
After the municipality became incorporated in 2021, he was elected as mayor and has served in this post for 20 years.
The nomination cited how Ireland 鈥渉as applied his skills and knowledge to the development of open, honest and accountable local government for the residents of Jasper.鈥�
鈥淗is remarkable strength of character, kindness and open mind have supported him in becoming, and remaining, a relevant and effective leader for Jasper residents,鈥� it added.
鈥淗is steady, progressive and collaborative leadership style has guided the development of our municipal organization through the establishment of a brand new governing body in a highly complex environment as a national park, tourism-based community.鈥�
Among other things, the nomination added how Ireland had supported and mentored other local officials, ensured councillors all had a chance to voice their opinions before council votes on an issue and presented the 鈥渂ig picture鈥� while building a consensus.
鈥淢ayor Ireland鈥檚 integrity and genuinely selfless dedication to serving others continue to inspire municipal leaders, political and administrative, past and present.鈥�
Alberta Municipalities, an association representing Alberta's municipalities, was formerly known as the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) before recently re-branding.
