There’s a new leader at the head of Okotoks Municipal Enforcement.
Kelly Steinwand, former deputy chief of the Prince Albert Police Service, took on the role of municipal enforcement manager for the Town of Okotoks at the end of June, as former manager Tim Stobbs retires.
“I thought this would be a good opportunity for me to get back into my comfort zone and contribute to the Town’s management team, and bring my experiences to this position,” said Steinwand.
After 28 years of service, Steinwand retired from the Prince Albert Police Service last year. He and his family moved from to Okotoks just over one year ago.
He said they had a lot of family in southern Alberta, so the Steinwands began looking at the Foothills. When they discovered Okotoks it didn’t take too long to decide to make the move, he said.
Their 12-year-old daughter adjusted quickly, attending Dr. Morris Gibson School and dancing with Alberta Dance Academy, said Steinwand.
He wasn’t entirely certain what the future held career-wise, but said when the announcement went out for the enforcement manager position he didn’t hesitate.
“I’ve committed my professional career to public safety and that was a very rewarding thing to do,” said Steinwand. “When we landed here in Okotoks, it didn’t take long for me to feel like I wanted to find a way to contribute to public safety here in this community.”
Over the last year since the family arrived in Okotoks, Steinwand said he’s been impressed with the Town and the values the community has identified. He said it’s impressive to see a community continue to work hard to preserve its culture and lifestyle when it’s facing the inevitable challenges of growth.
Steinwand said municipal enforcement should be a reflection of the community’s desire to maintain and protect its values, particularly in the area of public safety and community wellness.
The key is education and partnerships in the community, he said.
“I believe strongly in having active partnerships within the community, with the business community, with community groups, with education,” said Steinwand. “I’m hoping people will reach out to me and I’m looking forward to building relationships within the community.”
While he said it’s a bit too early to identify his goals as enforcement manager, Steinwand said he has an excellent base to start from thanks to his predecessor.
“I can tell this is an industry-leading program and the unit has a strong relationship with the local RCMP,” said Steinwand. “In large part it’s due to the good work and relationships that have been built by our former municipal enforcement manager Tim Stobbs and his staff.”
Andy Wiebe, municipal enforcement officer, said he’s going to miss working for Stobbs, who had been with the Town for nine years prior to his retirement in June. Wiebe had reported to Stobbs since January 2016.
“I really enjoyed working with him,” said Wiebe. “He could be a hard taskmaster, but he demands excellence and he has a super high standard and high expectation of service for the community.”
He said Stobbs set up the municipal enforcement program in Okotoks as a benchmark for other agencies in the province, from forward-thinking policies to using body cameras and being the first community in Alberta to use the new provincial radio system.
“He’s really been a great supervisor,” said Wiebe. “I’m going to miss that guy.”
