“We’re all in the same boat and if we all row together in the same direction, we’ll get where we need to go.”

That, in essence is the guiding principle of the council for the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River, says the man who’s the first to toss his hat in the ring to replace a resigning Reeve Sheila Foley. And Denny Garratt says he’d like to see that co-operation across the municipality continue.
Most of the six councillors were relative greenhorns – politically speaking — when they ran for office three years ago, this Southshore councillor included. But Garratt says he’s enjoyed his time at this particular table, so would like to stay on for another term. And he hopes as many of the incumbents as possible will join him.
“If I had my ‘druthers, we’d all be there for another three years,” he says. “This council works well together.”
This council made some bold moves, he admits, not the least of which is a $14 million wastewater collection and treatment system for the Southshore communities of Canyon Creek, Widewater and Wagner. Garratt admits that’s partly the reason why he wants to stay on, even though he doubts that anyone or anything would de-rail the process now.
“The wastewater is the biggest project taken on by the M.D. that I can remember.
“It’s an example of one that I’d like to see complete.
“I’ve put a lot of personal time and lobbying for it, and now that it’s started, I’d like to see it completed.
“That’s why I’ve thrown my hat in to run as reeve — so there could be some continuity between the work that this council has done” and the new council.
The new system that’s proposed to take shape over the next two or three years is “a testament to how far we’ve come with regards to being an inclusive M.D.” The ‘inclusion’, he explains means everyone working together for the good of all. In short, they’re “all rowing together in the same direction.”
After getting to know other elected officials from across the province, Garratt says a common thread appears.
“Oh sure, we all have our different tax bases and assessments. But to make it work, you have to row together as a team.”
It’s the result of that teamwork and the success it brings that’s making the councillor want more.
A councillor in the old Improvement District many years ago, he says things were much different.
“We were pretend councillors and everything was driven from (government offices in Edmonton). But it’s exciting now because the designs we make in council chambers today are acted upon tomorrow.” And, that he says, is why he thinks municipal politics is the most exciting.
“This is where the rubber hits the road – and you have to live with your decision in the coffee room the next day.”
But council’s number one responsibility, he adds, is “stewardship of the tax supplied by the ratepayers in the M.D., all the contributions large and small.” Those will undoubtedly be needed for more major projects as time goes on, he adds.
“It’s up to council as to what the next destination is, the next project. And if that happens to be in Flatbush, or Smith, so be it.
“The harder we row together, the faster we get there.”

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