The City of Lacombe is proud to announce that Mayor Steve Christie has been chosen to receive the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) Award of Excellence, which recognizes outstanding civic leadership by either past or present municipal elected officials who have held office for at least three years in Alberta.

“Mayor Christie has demonstrated his dedication and outstanding leadership on many levels and many fronts,” said Chief Administrative Officer Dion Pollard. “The City has continued to progress under his tenure and has established solid principles and policies for future growth. With Mayor Christie acknowledging his intent to not participate in the upcoming municipal election, this prestigious award ensures his legacy is recognized.”

Christie, who served on the AUMA board for 4 years, and was the Vice President for Cities up to 500,000 for 3 of those years, was nominated for the award by his fellow council members, and he says it comes as a pleasant surprise.

“It’s quite an honour, and it was an honour to be presented the award, but an honour to be nominated by my council for the award, and then to be chosen through the AUMA.”

He says council had to hide the council motion for the nomination from him in order to keep it a surprise.

“They did this without my knowledge, and if I remember correctly while I was on the board, the nomination had to accompany a resolution from council, and I don’t remember voting on that or hearing about that resolution, but somehow they got that passed me and it was a big surprise.”

The award will be presented at the AUMA Convention Session on November 22, 2017, in Calgary.

Mayor Christie has had a long and distinguished career serving the residents of Lacombe, as a dedicated volunteer through his church, the local Rotary club, youth advisory boards, as a long-time volunteer firefighter and as an elected official.

Steve served as a councillor for six years before being elected mayor in 2010.

His first term in office resulted in many positive developments for Lacombe, including achieving municipal oversight on the Highway 2A twinning project.

Mayor Christie also introduced new initiatives to help the City connect directly with residents and stakeholders, such as the youth-oriented Mayor for a Day program and the Mayor’s State of the City Address, delivered annually at a joint City/Chamber of Commerce business luncheon for business professionals, political figures, service groups, and community influencers.

His second term in office yielded even more successes for the community, including the attraction of a new hotel to Lacombe.

Mayor Christie oversaw significant renovations and upgrades to the Gary Moe Auto Group Sportsplex, the commissioning of a new municipal police station, the revitalization of Lacombe’s downtown core, and the development of an affordable housing strategy, which has led to partnerships with developers and Habitat for Humanity Red Deer to provide affordable housing to local families.

He also helped to introduce residential blue box recycling, and played an integral role in the development of a safe and affordable regional public transit project (BOLT Transit) that connects the communities of Lacombe and Blackfalds with Red Deer.

Most recently, he realized a long-held dream to ensure a sustainable future for Lacombe by spearheading efforts to secure the construction of the North Red Deer Regional Wastewater System.

Mayor Christie believes that accountability, teamwork and passion are key ingredients for successful leadership, and that the people of Lacombe have the ideas, talents, and energy to meet their challenges head-on and build sustainable opportunities to create a strong and successful future for their city.

(Achievement listing courtesy of the City of Lacombe)