communities,she doesn’t hesitate.“It’s all about being truthful,” she says. From the beginning of her tenure as mayor, she and City Manager Anthony McGuinness made it a point to clearly communicate Thompson’s needs and demonstrate how their projects were good for the city, the province, and the North as a whole. “When we go and ask for projects, we already know why we need them, how they’re a good investment for the government, how they’re going to save money, and how they’re going to support us.” FUTURE PRIORITIES: SAFETY AND HEALTHCARE IN FOCUS As Thompson moves forward, the city’s priorities are squarely focused on enhancing essential services to support its growing role as a regional hub. Mayor Smook outlines key goals for the next 18 months. She explains that one of the most pressing issues is the outdated and overcrowded Thompson Fire and Emergency Services building. “We’ve increased service by 150% over the last 20 years with the same complement of people in the same building,” she says, noting how this has placed significant pressure on the facility. With rising calls for emergency services, the current structure is no longer sufficient to handle the city’s growing needs. Mayor Smook envisions a comprehensive public safety building that could house fire services and the RCMP, whose current building is also in disrepair. “The RCMP building needs a lot of upkeep and isn’t very attractive, which doesn’t help us entice people to stay here,” she adds. Creating a modern, functional facility is key to improving safety and retaining essential personnel. Healthcare is another top priority, and Thompson is pushing hard for a new regional hospital. The city is a critical healthcare center for the North, yet the current hospital needs help to keep up with the demand for services.“We’ve been working hard on a new regional hospital and staffing to go with it,” Mayor Smook says, adding that the need for improved diagnostics and medical care is urgent. Just a week ago, the Minister of Health visited Thompson, 287 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11 THOMPSON, MB
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx