There aren’t many major ends left for Mayor Glenn Hagel to tie up before the gavel is passed on to mayor-elect Deb Higgins.
“For me, it’s what I jokingly call light duty,” said Hagel. “I still continue servicing as mayor, of course, until the oath is taken (by Higgins).”
Hagel said he has a few public relations duties and protocols to wrap up, but the “meeting world has pretty much been completed now.” He will officially no longer be mayor of Moose Jaw on Nov. 13 at the inaugural meeting of city council.
“It looks as though my final official duty as mayor will be to lay the wreath on behalf of the city at the Remembrance Day service at Mosaic Place,” said Hagel. “That, for me, will be a really, really important, meaningful final act as mayor.”
The Royal Canadian Legion also invited Higgins to join Hagel in laying the wreath. He said Moose Jaw places a strong emphasis on its relationship with the military, including 15 Wing and the Saskatchewan Dragoons. He added Moose Jaw has the highest percentage of citizen attendance at Remembrance Day services across Canada.
“That’s an expression, I think, for the appreciation for the sacrifices made,” said Hagel. “It’s very meaningful for me to conclude my official work in the office and my political career joined by (mayor-elect) Higgins.”
He said he has been spending a large amount of time Friday and Monday with Higgins and will continue to do so until Nov. 13. Even after Hagel is no longer mayor, he said he has made it clear to Higgins that he would be more than happy to help her out if she wanted to discuss matters with him.
For more information, see an upcoming edition of the Times-Herald.
