Dan Hamilton was sworn as Cypress County reeve on Wednesday. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

Dan Hamilton re-confirmed as Cypress County reeve at annual meeting

Oct 16, 2024 | 1:46 PM

Dan Hamilton will remain reeve of Cypress County after he was nominated and confirmed for the role by his peers on Wednesday during council’s annual organizational meeting.

“It’s an honour,” Hamilton told CHAT News.

“I’ve enjoyed the past seven years of working with council and trying to do the best we can for Cypress County, and it is a great honour to be picked again.”

Reeves act as council’s chair and spokesperson, much like a mayor. Unlike a mayor, however, a reeve is chosen amongst the county’s elected councillors every year.

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Hamilton has been elected to county council three times and has served as reeve since 2018 after spending time as deputy reeve.

He told CHAT News it would be premature to say yet if he will run again in next year’s election.

For Hamilton, explaining how the county works is his favourite element of the job.

“I enjoy meeting the people and talking with the people and trying to explain why we do the things we do,” he said.

“Communication and understanding is needed out there and once people understand why the things are being done the way they are, people seem to calm down and realize ‘huh, we are trying to do the best we can for the county.'”

His comments echo those of elected officials and administrative staff in Medicine Hat, who say that face-to-face conversations will often lead to understanding and even agreement over what the city is doing.

When asked what the most challenging aspect of his job is, Hamilton had a one-word answer.

“Interviews.”