The fall of 2022 will be general election time for municipalities in Manitoba but Deloraine Winchester Reeve Gord Weidenhamer wont have his name on the ballot.

After 17 years on council Weidenhamer says it’s time to let someone else have a crack at running the council and doing the municipal work.

Weidenhamer has spent the past nine years as reeve and worked with 30 plus different councilors during that period. “Things have changed over that period and it’s more challenging. The pandemic really brought it to a head. The negativity on social media really weighs on you after a while. This is my final year and I look forward to someone else taking the reins.”

“I think everyone should try municipal politics once because dealing with the public is a challenging thing. The best advice I had from an old friend was you’ll find out the people you thought would be the most challenging aren’t and the ones you thought would be the easiest become the most challenging.”

While he leaves with mixed feelings Gord Weidenhamer says overall he has enjoyed his time on council and serving his community.

“I’ve enjoyed the overall experience and working with other municipalities and councilors. It’s a challenge to please people but when I look back to what has been accomplished since I first started there have been a number of positive things happen in the community and being part of that was nice.”

Weidenhamer isn’t ruling out a return to municipal politics but he says right now he needs a break and it’s time for someone else to take on those challenges.

 

“I’ve got kids involved with the farm and I’m a grandparent now so I’m moving on and looking for other activities. I’ll always volunteer and will continue to do that but now my community work will be in a different role.”