Welcome to Municipal Affairs.New names. New faces. New titles. That was the headline coming out of the Alberta Government on Friday afternoon as Premier Danielle Smith unveiled her latest cabinet shuffle — and once again, all eyes were on who would take the reins at Municipal Affairs.Earlier this week, Ric McIver officially stepped down from the ministry to assume the role of Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. His successor, Joseph Schow, stepped in briefly as interim Minister. But today, in a significant reshuffle, a permanent appointment was made.Dan Williams becomes Alberta’s new Minister of Municipal Affairs — the 19th person to hold the post in just over 25 years.Williams, first elected in 2019 in Peace River — unseating then-incumbent Debbie Jabbour of the NDP — secured re-election in 2023. His cabinet career began just last year when he was appointed Minister of Mental Health and Addiction. He's also held key caucus roles, including Deputy House Whip and Chair of the Standing Committee on Private Bills.Before entering provincial politics, Williams cut his teeth alongside then-federal minister Jason Kenney, working behind the scenes during efforts to unite Alberta's conservative factions under the UCP banner.His appointment comes amid a broader reshuffling of the Premier’s cabinet team. Among the notable Additions to the cabinet are:Myles McDougall becomes Minister of Advanced Education, and Andrew Boitchenko steps in as Minister of Tourism and Sport.Several existing ministers also received new portfolios or titles:Matt Jones shifts from Jobs, Economy and Trade to become Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services. Rajan Sawhney moves to Indigenous Relations. Joseph Schow, the interim Municipal Affairs minister, now takes on the expanded role of Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration. Rick Wilson replaces Dan Williams as Minister of Mental Health and Addiction.Demetrios Nicolaides will be adding childcare to his portfolio and will become the Minister of Education and Childcare. Jason Nixon will also see his title changed to the Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services to reflect his oversight of Assisted Living Alberta.Adriana LaGrange transitions to Minister of Primary and Preventive Health Services. Grant Hunter steps into the Associate Minister of Water.And Muhammad Yaseen steps back into an Associate Minister role for Multiculturalism.But for Alberta’s cities, towns, and villages, all eyes remain on Municipal Affairs.To talk about what this leadership change could mean for local governments — and how Dan Williams might approach the job — we sat down once again this week with Alberta Municipalities President Tyler Gandam to get his perspective on the road ahead.Rural Municipalities of Alberta President Kara Westerlund shared her thoughts with us as well on what the appointment of Dan Williams as the new Minister of Municipal Affairs could mean for Alberta’s rural communities. With rural municipalities facing unique challenges — from infrastructure gaps to land use pressures, broadband access, and emergency response — continuity and clarity from the provincial government are more important than ever.***************************************************Listen To The Show: Apple: https://apple.co/41p5I2ISpotify: https://bit.ly/3tkvb0E Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown***************************************************Follow Us On Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/ Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network©2025
Welcome to Municipal Affairs.
Once again, change is sweeping through Alberta’s Ministry of Municipal Affairs — a department that has seen no fewer than 18 different ministers in the last 25 years. That kind of turnover raises more than just eyebrows — it raises questions about long-term stability and direction.
To understand the scale of this, we need only look at the track record. The leadership of this ministry has resembled a revolving door. It began with Walter Paszkowski in 1999, followed by Guy Boutilier, Rob Renner, and Ray Danyluk — with Danyluk managing to hold the portfolio the longest in those early years.
But things picked up pace after 2010. In just five years, the role changed hands six times: Hector Goudreau, Doug Griffiths, Ken Hughes, Greg Weadick, Diana McQueen — all cycled through the post in rapid succession.
More recently, the trend continued with Deron Bilous, Danielle Larivee, Shaye Anderson, Kaycee Madu, and Tracy Allard, each serving short stints. Ric McIver, who has now held the position twice — most recently from 2023 until this week — became one of the longest-serving ministers, though his tenure was briefly interrupted by current Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz.
Now, Joseph Schow steps into the role — for now, in an interim capacity — becoming the ministry’s 18th occupant in just a quarter century.
McIver’s departure was swift. Earlier this week, he announced he would step down — only to be elected days later as the new Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, following Nathan Cooper’s resignation to become Alberta’s new envoy in Washington.
Premier Danielle Smith quickly tapped Schow — currently Minister of Tourism and Sport and Government House Leader — to fill the vacancy, at least for now.
Despite the churn, the importance of the Municipal Affairs portfolio remains unchanged. The ministry oversees key legislation, including the Municipal Government Act, the Emergency Management Act, and the Local Authorities Election Act. These laws shape how communities operate, respond to emergencies, and govern themselves at the ballot box.
And speaking of elections — the timing couldn’t be more significant. Alberta’s next municipal elections are just months away, scheduled for Monday, October 20th. With new political parties entering the fray and recent changes to election rules, this vote could look very different from those in years past — and municipalities are watching closely.
So, what does yet another leadership change mean for Alberta’s cities, towns, and villages? To explore the impact of Ric McIver’s departure, the challenges ahead, and the state of municipal governance, we sat down with Alberta Municipalities President Tyler Gandam to get his perspective on where the province’s communities go from here.
We also turned our attention to the rural side of the province — where priorities and pressures often look a little different.
We spoke with Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) President Kara Westerlund to get her thoughts on what this latest ministerial change means for Alberta’s rural communities, especially as they gear up for the upcoming municipal elections.
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Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network
©2025
Welcome to Municipal Affairs
Last month, we had the chance to travel to beautiful Haines Junction, Yukon, to take part in a major event — the 50th anniversary of the Association of Yukon Communities.
Over three days, more than 150 delegates from across the territory came together to talk about the challenges they’re facing, the successes they’re seeing, and the common ground they share.
Delegates also had a chance to hear directly from party leaders and cabinet ministers as the Yukon heads toward a territorial election expected before November.
While we were there, we sat down for a one-on-one conversation with Yukon NDP Leader Kate White.
We talked about what she heard from municipal leaders during the convention, and how her party is working to build relationships with communities across the territory in the lead-up to election day.
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Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network
©2025
Welcome to Municipal Affairs
Last month, we had the chance to travel to beautiful Haines Junction, Yukon, to take part in a major event — the 50th anniversary of the Association of Yukon Communities.
Over three days, more than 150 delegates from across the territory came together to talk about the challenges they’re facing, the successes they’re seeing, and the common ground they share.
Delegates also had a chance to hear directly from party leaders and cabinet ministers as the Yukon heads toward a territorial election expected before November.
While we were there, we sat down for a one-on-one conversation with Yukon Party Leader Currie Dixon. We talked about what he heard from municipal leaders during the convention, and how his party is working to build relationships with communities across the territory in the lead-up to election day, which has to be called by November of this year.
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Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network
©202
Welcome to Municipal Affairs
Last month, we had the chance to travel to beautiful Haines Junction, Yukon, to take part in a major event — the 50th anniversary of the Association of Yukon Communities.
Over three days, more than 150 delegates from across the territory came together to talk about the challenges they’re facing, the successes they’re seeing, and the common ground they share.
Delegates also had a chance to hear directly from party leaders and cabinet ministers as the Yukon heads toward a territorial election expected before November.
While we were there, we sat down for a one-on-one conversation with Yukon's Minister of Community Services, Richard Mostyn
In our one-on-one interview, we spoke about what he's heard from municipal leaders during the convention, and working with communities to address the housing challenge in the Yukon, and what his government is doing to work in partnership with the Association of Yukon Communities.
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Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network
©2025
Welcome to Municipal Affairs.
Last month, we travelled to Haines Junction, Yukon, to take part in a major milestone — the 50th anniversary of the Association of Yukon Communities.
Over three days, more than 150 delegates from across the territory came together to share stories, tackle challenges, and find common ground on the issues that matter most to their communities.
After the convention wrapped up, we had a chance to sit down with the President of AYC, Lauren Hancher - Mayor of Watson Lake, to reflect on the significance of this 50th anniversary, talk about what’s next for the association, and look ahead to the future path for Yukon’s municipalities.
We also took a moment to speak with host community Mayor Diane Strand of Haines Junction about having the event in Haines Junction and what it meant for her community to host leaders from across the territory.
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Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network
©2025
Welcome to Municipal Affairs,
The Alberta government is once again zeroing in on local governance, unveiling significant changes through two key pieces of legislation: Bill 50, the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, and Bill 54, the Election Statutes Amendment Act, 2025. These bills aim to reshape how municipalities operate, how local politicians are held accountable, and how they transition to provincial politics.
Among the proposed reforms in both Bills are: eliminating municipal codes of conduct, formalizing rules around campaign financing, and clarifying the process for amending or repealing local bylaws.
New standards for Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks are also on the table — a system originally intended to foster cooperation between municipalities, but one that has sparked debate, especially among rural communities.
The legislation goes further. They propose new recall legislation, outline rules for municipal officials seeking provincial office, and introduce the idea of an independent ethics commissioner to handle complaints against municipal leaders.
These changes promise to spark conversations across Alberta's cities, towns, and rural regions.
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At last month’s Southgrow Economic Summit in Lethbridge, Alberta, We were on hand and moderated a live recording of Municipal Affairs featuring Meghan Brennan, Communications Manager for the Town of Taber, and Ben Prolux of Catalyst Communications.
The session focused on practical strategies for strengthening municipal communications, building public trust, and effectively engaging residents during times of crisis. The conversation offered insights and actionable advice for improving communication efforts at the local government level.
EDITORIAL ---- This episode of Municipal Affairs is Audio Only.
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Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network
©2025
Welcome to Municipal Affairs.
It began in uncertainty. Political gridlock in Ottawa. A country still reeling from economic tremors and diplomatic tensions, with U.S. President Donald Trump once again targeting Canada’s sovereignty and trade with blistering rhetoric. Many wondered whether Canada’s political centre could hold.
But by the time the dust settled on election night 2025, the result was nothing short of historic. A dramatic upset. A humbled opposition. And at the centre of it all — Mark Carney. Steady, unflappable, and deliberate, Carney led the Liberal Party to a surprising victory that left some Canadians blinking.
The Liberals secured 169 seats — just three shy of a majority in the 343-seat House of Commons. The Conservatives, under Pierre Poilievre, came close with 144 seats. But in a shocking twist, Poilievre lost his riding to a first-time Liberal candidate, throwing his leadership into immediate question.
The Bloc Québécois held onto 22 seats. The NDP, meanwhile, suffered significant losses, dropping to just seven seats. Their leader, Jagmeet Singh, also lost his riding. And the Green Party held onto a single seat.
Now, as Canadians look to what comes next — navigating a new political era, a minority Parliament, and rising municipal challenges — one thing is clear: municipalities will play a pivotal role. And behind the scenes, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities is already working to understand the new dynamics in Ottawa, and how to collaborate with the incoming Carney government to address the pressing needs of communities across the country.
To help us make sense of it all, we reached out to municipal leaders across Canada for their reactions and insights.
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Welcome to Municipal Affairs,
Earlier this month, more than 1,000 delegates from urban municipalities across Saskatchewan convened in Saskatoon for the 2025 Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) Convention.
The annual event serves as a cornerstone for collaboration, celebration, and forward-thinking among municipal leaders—this year, especially significant following the 2024 municipal elections.
The convention provided a platform for communities to come together, share insights, and shape the future of urban governance in Saskatchewan.
Among the many highlights was a moment of recognition and reflection: the awarding of a lifetime membership to former Mayor of Torquay, Mike Strachan, in honour of his longstanding service and dedication to municipal leadership.
We had the opportunity to sit down with Mr. Strachan for an exclusive one-on-one interview, where he shared stories from his career, reflected on his years in office, and offered heartfelt advice to the many first-time attendees taking their first steps into municipal leadership.
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©2025
Welcome to Municipal Affairs
Earlier this month, more than 1,000 delegates from urban municipalities across Saskatchewan gathered in Saskatoon for the 2025 Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) Convention.
The annual event was a vibrant mix of discussion, celebration, and vision-building, as leaders from across the province came together to chart a course forward following the 2024 municipal elections.
But for one attendee, the convention felt more like a homecoming. In 2023, we were introduced to Jordan McPhail, then a dedicated councillor from the northern community of La Ronge. Fast forward two years, and McPhail returned to SUMA—not as a municipal delegate, but as a newly elected Member of the Legislative Assembly.
We sat down with MLA McPhail to talk about his transition from municipal governance to provincial politics, the lessons learned at the council table, and how those experiences continue to shape his work in the halls of power in Regina.
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Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network
©2025
Welcome to Municipal Affairs,
Earlier this month, more than 1,000 delegates from urban municipalities across Saskatchewan convened in Saskatoon for the 2025 Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) Convention.
The annual event serves as a cornerstone for collaboration, celebration, and forward-thinking among municipal leaders—this year, especially significant following the 2024 municipal elections.
The convention provided a platform for communities to come together, share insights, and shape the future of urban governance in Saskatchewan.
The topics of Municipal Revenue Sharing, Crime and Safety, and the Federal Election took centre stage for most of the convention.
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©2025
Welcome to Municipal Affairs. My name is Christopher Brown, and this is Canada Votes 2025: The Debates.
Week four of the federal campaign is behind us—and with it, the advance polls are now officially open. The race is tightening, and for voters across the country, decisions are starting to take shape.
But before ballots are cast, there was a crucial moment this week—the debates.
Over two nights, the leaders of four parties took centre stage. Liberal Leader Mark Carney. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet. And NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. They fielded tough questions in both English and French, trying to cut through the noise and connect with Canadians.
But the question we ask here today is this: Did the debate matter to municipal leaders?
Did we hear anything—anything at all that gives municipalities across this country a clearer picture of how a future federal government plans to partner with local leaders? To tackle the housing crisis, strengthen public transit, support community safety, or invest in energy transformation?
Or did the most important level of government— the government of proximity, the one closest to people’s everyday lives—get lost in the shuffle?
To break it all down, we’re joined by a powerhouse panel from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. Sturgeon County Councillor Neal Comeau, who also chairs FCM’s Rural Forum. Val-Morin Mayor Donna Salvati. And Brampton Councillor Rowena Santos.
We’ll unpack what was said, what wasn’t, and what it all means for municipalities coast to coast to coast.
This is a conversation you won’t want to miss. So with that, Let’s get into it.
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©2025
taking a step back to gain insight from those who have been in the trenches and now find themselves on the other side of public office.
In this episode, we’re speaking with three former municipal leaders who dedicated years to serving their communities and have since transitioned into private life. We’ll hear their reflections on the challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned from their time in office and explore how municipal governance has evolved during their tenures.
Our guests today are:
Ralph Groening – First elected to Council in 1995 as a Councillor for the Rural Municipality of Morris in Manitoba, Ralph later served as Reeve of the RM from 2010 until his retirement from public office in 2021. With decades of experience in municipal leadership, he brings a wealth of knowledge about governance at the rural level.
Maryann Chichak – Acclaimed as a Whitecourt, Alberta, Councillor in 2010, Maryann made history in 2013 by challenging and defeating the incumbent mayor. She successfully defended her position in 2017, earning a second term before stepping away from public service in 2021. Her journey offers valuable insights into municipal leadership and navigating the demands of public office.
and our final guest is Jocelyn Curteanu – A former Whitehorse Councillor, Jocelyn was first elected in 2012 and served four consecutive terms before retiring in 2024. Her experience in northern municipal governance provides a unique perspective on the evolving role of local government in the Yukon.
In our discussion today, we’ll explore life after municipal office—what the transition from public to private life looks like, the challenges of stepping away from governance, and whether their passion for municipal affairs keeps them engaged behind the scenes. We’ll also examine how municipalities have changed over the years in their respective provinces and what’s next for each of them.
And, of course, we’ll tackle the age-old question: Is the grass really greener on the other side? Now that they’re private citizens, is it difficult to resist the pull of municipal politics? Do they still find themselves weighing in on local issues, or have they fully embraced a new chapter?
It’s going to be a fascinating conversation—So without further ado, This is Municipal Affairs.
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Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network
©2025
Welcome back to Municipal Affairs.
Today we’re talking about a strategy that was supposed to secure Alberta’s energy future—but may instead be shifting burdens onto rural communities.
Earlier this month, the Government of Alberta released its long-awaited Mature Asset Strategy, or MAS—a plan that, according to the province, is meant to support the viability of older oil and gas wells, keep companies operating longer, and maintain energy security.
But the Rural Municipalities of Alberta, or RMA, says not so fast.
In a strongly worded statement, RMA called the report disappointing, unclear, and dangerously narrow in scope—criticizing it for prioritizing industry profits over public accountability. Missing from the strategy, according to RMA, are any meaningful plans to address unpaid property taxes, surface lease payments, or environmental liabilities—issues that have left many rural municipalities footing the bill.
The strategy, they say, leans heavily on industry narratives—without offering data, transparency, or inclusive input from other stakeholders like landowners, environmental groups, or rural Albertans themselves. And while it skirts major changes to municipal taxation, it still pushes the idea—without evidence—that property taxes are somehow holding the industry back.
So today on Municipal Affairs, we’re digging into the heart of these concerns with someone who has been at the table throughout the MAS process and isn’t afraid to speak out.
Joining us is Kara Westerlund, president of the Rural Municipalities of Alberta. She’s here to break down what this strategy means for rural communities, where the process fell short, and what needs to happen next to ensure industry prosperity doesn’t come at the expense of municipal survival.
Stick around—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.
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Welcome to Municipal Affairs: Canada Votes 2025.
The Third Week of the 45th General Election has come to a close. and with only a few short weeks until voters head to the polls, on Monday, April 28th the landscape is focusing in on the last few days.
To help us break down the state of the race, we are joined today by political commentator, SKoop.ca Editor, and Earnscliffe Strategy Principal, Dale Richardson.
Today we will talk about the last 7 days on the campaign trail, from party leaders hitting western Canada, including Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Crowd Sizes, Polling, and what is coming up next week.
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Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network
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Welcome to Municipal Affairs
Last month, municipal leaders from across Canada travelled to Washington, D.C., to take part in a tri-lateral conference with Mayors and Municipal Leaders from The United States and Mexico.
Their mission?
To strengthen relationships and push back against the ongoing trade escalations.
Among the Canadian delegation was Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick President Brittany Merrifield who took the opportunity to deliver a clear message to U.S. officials and municipal counterparts.
But what was the response? What did she hear from American and Mexican leaders? And what impact could this growing tension have on communities back home?
We met President Merrifield to discuss her key takeaways from the trip—and what comes next.
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Welcome to Municipal Affairs.
Change is in the air for the growing community of Lanigan, Saskatchewan. As families put down roots and the population continues to rise, the town is taking a crucial step to support its youngest residents. A brand-new daycare facility is on the horizon, promising to ease the pressure on working families and help drive the local economy forward.
At the heart of this development is a partnership between the Town of Lanigan and the Lanigan Daycare Cooperative. In a recent Town Council meeting, a resolution was passed to approve an agreement in principle to build a new 90-space daycare facility—a significant expansion from the current 48 spaces. With the growing waitlist and the existing facility running at full capacity, this new development couldn't come at a better time.
With a project valued at $3 million, funding includes a $594, 000 one-time provincial grant, the sale of the current facility, and contributions from the daycare cooperative. A $40,000 grant from BHP helped develop the business plan, with MNP providing the blueprint for success.
Importantly, according to the Town, there will be no property tax impact on residents or businesses, as the Town of Lanigan will arrange the remaining $2 million, with the daycare cooperative managing payments.
It’s a big step forward—one that promises to support the heart of the community: its families.
Stay with us as we delve into the details of this exciting new chapter for Lanigan with Lanigan Mayor Tony Mycock, and Lanigan CAO Ron McCullough.
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Municipal Affairs is Part of The Cross Border Network
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Welcome to Municipal Affairs: Canada Votes 2025. The Second Week of the 45th General Election has come to a close. and with only a few short weeks until voters head to the polls, on Monday April 28th the landscape is all over the map.To help us break down the state of the race, we are joined today by political commentator, Toronto Sun Columnist, and former Liberal Advisor to Jean Chretien, Mr. Warren Kinsella. We’ll explore the challenges each party is facing, with turfing candidates at the last minute, the Trump Tariffs, the crowd sizes, and where the parties are heading into the last full week before those critical Election Debates. Stay with us as we dive into the dynamics of this pivotal election, right here on Municipal Affairs: Canada Votes 2025.**************************************************Subscribe to https://thewarrenkinsella.substack.com/***************************************************Listen To The Show: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/crossborderinterviewswithchrisbrown***************************************************Follow Us On Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossborderpodcast/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/crossbordernetwork.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.net/@crossborderpodcast Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/CrossBorderInterviews/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossborderinterviews/ Website: https://www.crossborderinterviews.ca/Canada Votes 2025 is Part of the Cross Border Network©2025
Welcome to Municipal Affairs
In this episode, we’re focusing on one of the most significant gatherings for municipal leaders in Saskatchewan—the SUMA Convention.
Every Spring, Saskatchewan Urban Municipal delegates from across the province come together for this annual general meeting.
This year, from April 13th to April 16th, the convention will host elections for the SUMA Presidency. Which will take place on Tuesday April 15th.
One of two candidates running for President of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association is Michelle McKenzie, Mayor of the Town of Maple Creek
We had the opportunity to speak with Michelle about her candidacy, her vision for the role, and what she hopes to bring to Saskatchewan’s municipalities if elected.
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Learn More About Mayor Michelle McKenize:
https://suma.org/pub/Convention%202025/mayor-mckenzie-suma.png
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