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process, and encourage local user groups’ input on development versus spending thousands of dollars on consultant fees. She remained loyal to these strategies throughout her career. It was while working with council that Slater implemented My Community, My Voice, an online forum that brought potential voters and political candidates together. It was an initiative in which Slater took particular pride in. Melissa Blake, mayor of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. “She called to congratulate me, warn me of some things and offer her assistance if I needed it. My first impression of her was that she was very direct, experienced and very interested in the municipality.” Mayor Blake says that first impression proved correct. “Our conversations became longer and her passions more amplified but she always let me know what she thought,” she says. “I met Diane the day after I was elected to council in 1998,” says Blake had occasion to connect with Slater and stay abreast of each other’s interest over lunches with the president of Chamber and municipal chief administration officer. “I found Diane to be someone who enjoyed ‘stirring the pot,’” continues Blake. “She had no trouble standing up for what she believed in. She took pride in the work of young entrepreneurs and made sure they were recognized. And she was capable of taking on monumental tasks and delivering results.”

those challenges did indeed make for better outcomes.” Reflecting on retirement Perhaps one of the most surprising things about Slater came when she announced her plans to retire. “She had kind of talked about retiring before she followed through on it,” says Iggulden. “We tried to talk her

and down over times”, she is quick to add that they remained friends throughout, with those periodic ups and downs occurring less often and more quickly forgotten. “Diane demonstrated lots of frustration over the years,” she says. “But understanding that her passion came from the desire to make life better for people, I would have to say

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Although Mayor Blake describes her relationship with Slater as “up

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