(Photo: Town of Rocky Mountain House)

By Adam Ophus

early optimism met with challenges

Mayor Tammy Burke reflects on 2020 in Rocky Mountain House

Dec 30, 2020 | 1:50 PM

rdnewsNOW (B94) recently spoke with Mayor Tammy Burke for a look back at the year that was in Rocky Mountain House, and what she hopes for 2021.

How did the year start for you?

“We were looking forward to all the projects and events that were coming up,” Burke recalled. “All of us were looking forward to an action-packed summer, but as we all know things quickly changed.”

What did you do and think when the health crisis begin?

“Just like our neighbouring municipalities we scrambled trying to figure out what we were going to do with our facilities. We also had to make the tough decision to lay off some staff which is never easy,” she lamented.

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“It has also been since the beginning a very fluid situation and we’ve had to adapt on the fly. I have to give credit to all of the town staff and citizen for their patience in the turbulent times.”

How do you feel the community has done with handling the pandemic?

“This is a great community. In a time of need like this it only further instills those feelings in me. Everyone just pulls together and tries to help out wherever and however they can,” she complimented.

“Many people and businesses are struggling and we just need to continue to help out wherever we can.”

How has the Town of Rocky Mountain House done?

“I think we’re doing as well as can be expected, and we’re adapting as well as we can,” she suggested.

“We’ve recently gotten the outdoor flooded oval skating rink, because we want to have things for our citizens to do.

“None of us know what’s coming in the following weeks, so I just want to ask that people be patient and kind with one another now more than ever.

“We need to lift each other up and I’ve been seeing that more and more in this community.”

What are you not going to miss from this year?

“I want to get back to normal meetings, to shake hands and just have things go back to normal.

“I’m not going to miss wearing a mask, I mean I’ll wear one happily, but I’m not going to miss it when I don’t have to wear one,” she laughed.

“What I’m really not going to miss is the waste this year. We were doing so well environmentally. This year of so many things being disposable, I can’t wait to get back to the way we were heading.”

What are some things you are proud of from this year?

“There’s the 54 Street expansion, of course. It’s super exciting to see that and for when the pavement goes down.

“There’s also the splash park as well. I’m so happy that some of the kids got to have a little trial run before the end of the season. It was something that everybody is looking forward to in this community.”

Is there anything you would like to say to residents of Rocky Mountain House?

“Thank you for your patience and your kindness throughout 2020, it hasn’t been an easy year. Through the whole year there are things to be proud of and we can look forward to 2021 with hope.”