Richard Froese

For the Lakeside Leader

Big Lakes County has a new reeve and a new deputy reeve.
At its Oct. 24 organizational meeting, county councillors elected Tyler Airth as reeve for the coming year. He succeeds Robert Nygaard, who served as reeve for the past two years.
Unlike the M.D. of Lesser Slave River, Big Lakes voters do not directly elect the reeve; that job is up to the councillors.
Councillor Lane Monteith was elected deputy reeve, succeeding Jim Zabolotniuk, who also served in that role for two years.
Airth was first elected to council in October of 2021 and has been vocal on a number of issues.
“I am honoured to serve as reeve,” he said, “and will work hand in hand with our exceptional team.
“Council continues to prioritize financial stability and the consistent growth of our community,” Airth continued in his acceptance statement. “Through strong teamwork and shared vision, we are committed to continuing to build a stronger, more resilient county.”
Airth is a farmer and business owner with experience working in the oilfield and forestry industries. During his election campaign in 2021, he ran on the platform of upgrading infrastructure, attracting new businesses and council transparency and accountability.
“As a council, we need to be fiscally responsible in our decision-making,” he said at the time in an interview with the South Peace News, “while preserving the services of the county.”
Monteith thanked council for supporting him in the secret ballot.
“Serving as deputy reeve for the people of Big Lakes County is a privilege,” he said
Monteith was also first elected to council in the 2021 general election.