After several busy weeks on the job, the town’s new communications manager is settling into her role with relative ease.
Sandra Smith joined the Town of Ponoka team at the end of February and has a strong communications background with her journalism degree from Ryerson University in Toronto, Ont.
Smith grew up in southern Ontario along the shores of Lake Erie and has lived in many places across Canada. For the last 14 years, she has lived in Lacombe County.
Journalism is in Smith’s background and for some years she worked in a daily newspaper and then for CBC Radio for six years in New Brunswick and Winnipeg, Man.
“I did some magazine work as well and then I transitioned into public relations and I’ve been working in public relations for the last 20 years,” said Smith.
What is it about communications that Smith enjoys? “It’s a passion for me, communications.”
“Journalism is a passion for me as well and it was a natural progression for me from journalism to public relations to apply the skills I had learned in journalism,” she explained.
Her goal has always been to benefit the companies and organizations she works for. Indeed, Smith said she understands the deadlines journalists face on a daily and weekly basis and her goal is to work within those deadlines.
As for working in Ponoka, Smith says she is quite familiar with the town and its needs considering she travelled here on a regular basis, mostly for athletic events.
“I have swam myself at the Ponoka pool and the kids have competed in the annual Ponoka Gators swim meet in the summer,” said Smith.
Besides swimming, her son has taken part in past Black Elk Hockey Camps and her daughter was a member of the 4-H Renegade Riders for some years.
Something she looks forward to in her job capacity is to get the word out about what Ponoka has to offer and to provide timely information. “I’ll be working hard to keep residents informed,” said Smith.
“Public consultation will be a big part of my role,” she added.
While she is still getting to know residents and businesses in the community, she looks forward to meeting more people at the Ponoka and District Chamber of Commerce trade fair set for April 15 and 16. The town has booked a booth at the trade fair and Smith intends to be there.
“I’m really looking forward to working with residents and the business community,” she explained.