(submitted photo/Rodger Hayward)

By Mat Barrett

New MOS President

‘We have to look forward’: Municipalities of Saskatchewan elects new president

Feb 9, 2021 | 12:19 PM

The Municipalities of Saskatchewan has elected a new president.

Mayor of the Town of Naicam, Rodger Hayward, was elected as president on Monday, Feb. 8 at the organization’s virtual convention and trade show. Hayward called it an honour and a privilege to be elected.

Prior to his election, Hayward spent 12 years on the board with the Municipalities of Saskatchewan, acting as northeast regional director. He was most recently the vice-president of towns.

“It seemed like the natural step to go to,” Hayward said. “I also wanted to make sure that the members had a choice this year in the election.”

Hayward said he’s learned a lot about how to work with councils and boards and applying those skills at a larger scale.

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“There’s a lot I’ve learned, but there’s a lot to learn,” he said.

Hayward replaces Gordon Barnhart as president of the organization. Barnhart recently faced criticism for travelling to Hawaii during the pandemic. Hayward said he thanks Barnhart for his accomplishments as president.

Hayward looks forward to repairing a few relationships in the future, including with the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities. He added now that we are slowly coming out of a pandemic, and with some new board members, it’s a good chance to hit the reset button and get everyone back on the same page.

“What happened in the past, happened in the past,” Hayward said. “We have to look forward.”

Hayward has been mayor of Naicam since 2000.

Nipawin Mayor, Rennie Harper, now sits as vice-president of towns.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6