ALASKA HIGHWAY NEWS THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022 | VOL. 78 NO. 46
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FORT ST. JOHN REMEMBERS — Dax Bourke, a retired corporal and Aghanistan war veteran, lays the first wreaths at the Fort St. John cenotaph with MLA Dan Davies and Mayor Lilia Hansen. Standing with the honour guard are firefighter Ryan Bowie and Sgt. Zaldy. See more on page A13
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SILVER FINISH NPSS junior volleyball girls place second at zone championship
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GONE HUNTIN’ Columnist Evan Saugstad shares a hunting story
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Dave Lueneberg sports@ahnfsj.ca Lilia Hansen began her first full day as Fort St. John’s mayor last Tuesday, Nov. 8, following a memorable inauguration ceremony the prior evening. “Every time has been special,” said Hansen Monday night, in describing her third time declaring her oath of office. “This time, though...just to have the camaraderie. [The] team around me gives me a lot of strength and confidence going forward because I know who I have at the table and I know they are committed.” Hansen, who won in a byelection for councillor in 2017 and was returned in the general election a year later, was asked if she had something she’s looking at tackling almost right away. “There’s a lot of goals I would like to meet. Definitely, a rec centre is of interest to our community, but I would really like to do is sit down with our stakeholders. Talk about everything from our health care to education.” “Meet with our non-profit groups because I sincerely believe they are the fabric and the glue in our community. It’s finding out what resources can we do as a city. We need to help support
DAVE LUENEBERG PHOTO
Incoming Fort St. John City Council. Couns. Jim Lequiere, Byron Stewart and Gord Klassen, mayor Lilia Hansen, and couns. Trevor Bolin, Sarah MacDougall, and Tony Zabinsky.
the work they do.” The new mayor, however, admitted council has a lot to weigh when it makes any kind of decision. “Anyone who runs for council, we definitely have ideas but we also have to balance [that] with what the community is
needing, what are their priorities first, and what we can afford,” explained Hansen. “It’s true, you do want to say yes and you do want to help everyone you meet, but then you have to come back and talk with our finance [and ask] what can we afford this year?”
Council, with Hansen at the helm and newly-elected member Sarah MacDougall on board, began its work, in earnest, at its first full meeting Monday, Nov. 14.
I’d like to thank the residents for their vote of confidence by electing me mayor. I am truly committed to building a stronger community.
Lilia Hansen
Lilia