This week the Star/ Journal touched base with Bill Humphreys who served as Mayor for the District of Barriere from 2011 to 2014.
Humphreys said he found it a great honour to serve the community in that capacity, and went on to say, “I thank everyone that made it possible for me to serve as the Mayor of the District of Barriere.”
We asked Humphreys to comment on the community and his experiences while being mayor.
“Barriere is a very safe and welcoming community that has slow and stable growth,” he said, “This is both a blessing and a curse. The community needs more businesses to locate here so that there is employment. On the other hand, as the community grows and changes the laid back lifestyle so treasured by many changes.
“Creating a balance between growth and maintaining the status quo is a challenge.
“My focus as Mayor was to show the world that even though we were a small community we had the will to be the best that we could be.
“Countless hours were spent speaking to other levels of government as well as investors from the private sector trying to garner their support to grow our economic development and social support base.
“During these discussions it became clear that our community was lacking some essential infrastructure to lure investors and grant monies to our area.
“One of the concerns was the lack of a sewer system that would support a greater density within the core area.
“Luckily, the previous Mayor, Mike Fennell and his Council had made application for a grant to create a sewer system and the District was successful in acquiring the needed funds for the project.”
Humphreys also noted that as the town moves forward he hopes such projects as more assisted living for seniors and affordable housing will now be possible.
“As we go forward in time, it is my hope that some of our new residents will see fit to serve as members of Council,” said Humphreys, “All too often in small communities such as ours these responsibilities are borne time and time again by those that have already done more than we should expect of them.
“Everyone works hard to make our community safe and welcoming so that we all can grow and prosper here at home.”