OUTLOOK - A special legacy project spearheaded by the Town of Outlook is putting the spotlight on a number of people who've served the riverside community in the role of Mayor.
Portraits of four men and two women who, together, have served the town in the roles of Mayor and/or Councillor (formerly known as Alderman or Alderwoman) for decades have been captured, and will soon be put up on the walls of the town offices building. The six individuals, comprised of Bill Childerhose, Darcy Tofin, Donna Smith, Bob Stephenson, Ross Derdall, and Maureen Weiterman, represent the last six mayors of Outlook, but also represent the only people who are still alive who've served in the role.
Each person was recently photographed wearing special regalia, including a Town of Outlook medal signifying their contributions in serving the community.
Childerhose served three years as Alderman from 1988-1991 under Mayor Carl Jenson, replacing Jenson as Mayor and serving from 1991-1994.
Tofin served under Mayor Childerhose from 1991-1994 and replaced him as Mayor, serving in the role from 1994 until Tofin left the community of Outlook in April of 1996.
Smith served under Mayor Childerhose from 1992-1994, as well as under Mayor Tofin from 1994 until April 1996, and then served as Mayor herself for two months before she continued to serve under Mayor Stephenson from 1996-2016, and her final term serving was under Mayor Derdall from 2016-2020.
Stephenson served as Mayor from 1996-2016, and today, he currently serves as a Councillor under Mayor Weiterman from 2020 to present day. Stephenson is the second longest serving Mayor of the town, while J.C. Carter served one year and seven months longer.
Derdall served under Mayor Stephenson from 2003-2012, and went on to replace Stephenson as Mayor from 2016-2020.
Weiterman first served under Mayor Stephenson from 2009-2016, and then served under Mayor Derdall from 2016-2018. She was voted in as Mayor in 2020, defeating Derdall, and serves as Outlook's Mayor currently. Weiterman is the first female to be elected Mayor in the town of Outlook.
Combined, the length of time committed by the six individuals in the roles of Councillor and/or Mayor signifies 89 years served in the community of Outlook.