Killarney, Manitoba
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Killarney is a town in Southwestern Manitoba, Canada, at the corner of Manitoba Provincial Highways no. 3 & 18. As of 2005 its population is approximately 2300. The incorporated town is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Turtle Mountain. It is well known for its Lake, situated within the town proper. The town of Killarney is located in a rural area, dependent primarily on agriculture and agribusiness. The town is approximately 20 kilometres from the US border, 100 kilometres south of Brandon and 250 kilometres southwest of the provincial capital, Winnipeg.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Rural Municipality of Turtle Mountain area is rich in history and tradition. In the late 1800s, the Boundary Commission Trail ran through the southern part of the municipality. Northwest Mounted Police used the trail, as they traveled west to the Rockies in an effort to tame the prairies. Prior to this time, the area was home to many Native People, as well as, hunters and trappers taking part in the fur trade. The RM of Turtle Mountain was incorporated in 1882.
Killarney was officially incorporated . into town status in 1906. An Irish land surveyor named John Sidney O'Brien, named Killarney Lake. Legend has it that as he sat on the shore of the lake, homesick for his native home, he took a bottle of "Good Irish" from his pack and pouring it into the lake christened it Killarney.
The residents and town council have kept up the Irish tradition of the area with green fire engines, Erin and Kerry Parks, Little Irish Downs, and many other good Irish names.
The local landscape of the area is common to the Westman area and much of the southern province. The land is mainly flat with gently rolling hills breaking the horizon. Numerous tree lined rivers and streams cross the landscape breaking up vast farm fields. The area is rich in agriculture with many local residents actively farming.
[edit] Economy
Agriculture is a large part of Turtle Mountain's economy. The Town of Killarney boasts a variety of sales and specialized services that help complement the strong agricultural vase of the community. In addition, to agriculture, tourism also plays a role in the economy. The municipality attracts as many as 1,500 people each summer to its cottages and playgrounds. Killarney Lake makes up the majority of Killarney's tourism and is the focus of many activities.
Killarney has been voted the best retirement town in Canada by Canadian Living Magazine. The town works hard to maintain this reputation and the business community in Killarney provides most all essential goods and services to local residents.
[edit] Politics
As of 2006, the Mayor of Killarney is Mark Witherspoon, the deputy mayor is Gwen Tripp, with councillors Alvin Jones, Ron Opperman, and Lorne Whitelock. The town is located in the provincial Turtle Mountain riding, represented by Progressive Conservative MLA Cliff Cullen, and in the federal riding of Brandon-Souris represented by MP Merv Tweed.
This October, 25 / 2006 their will be an election deciding on the Mayor, Rural Councillors, and T.M.S.D. trustees for Ward II. This is the first town election with the amalgamation being put in place. The entire R.M. of Killarney votes for the Mayor, and the rural sector votes for 3 out of 6 vying for the rural seats. The urban councillor ward has been acclaimed with Lorne Whitelock, Gwen Trip, & newcomer Pete Hiede as the 3 town councillors. The mayoral candidates running for election are:
1) Current Mayor, Mark Witherspoon 2) Previous Mayor, Sandra Warnez 3) Previous Mayor, Ron Opperman 4) Brian Moore 5) Wayne Nichol
The Rural candidates are:
1) Current Reeve, Dwight King 2) Current Councillor, George Friesen 3) Current Councillor, Jack Garabed 4) Current Coucillor, Jerry Blixhaven 5) Randy Hodge 6) Clint Flemming
The Trustees candidates for T.M.S.D. Ward II are:
1) Current Trustee, Shirley Highfield 2) Lorna Ives 3) Garth Nichol 4) Brian Geer 5) Darrel Derrosier 6) Bette Whitelock 7) Bob Richards 8) Brad Hiede 9) Paynter Graham
[edit] Recreation
Killarney is home to the Killarney Shamrocks of the Tiger Hills Hockey League. They play out of the Killarney Arena, but are due to move when a new facility is completed between 2007-2008.
[edit] External links
 Subdivisions of Manitoba |
|
|---|---|
| Regions | Winnipeg Capital Region · Central Plains · Eastman · Interlake · Northern · Parkland · Pembina Valley · Westman |
| Census divisions | 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 |
| Cities | Brandon · Dauphin · Flin Flon (part) · Portage la Prairie · Selkirk · Steinbach · Thompson · Winkler · Winnipeg |
