The Deputy Reeve of Piney has been elected to the board of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities. Melanie Parent is now a director for the Eastern District. Parent, who is in her second term as a municipal councillor, says she is thrilled to have been elected at the AMM convention this past week, beating a couple of veteran councillors in the voting.

"There was some experience there and I don't know, I guess is spoke to the people. I am excited and I'm looking forward to this opportunity."

Parent says public service is a big part of who she is.

"I've always been involved in my community and I feel that if there's something that I can do to help, or improve it, I want to be there and be that person to help."

She adds there are a number of issues in Piney and throughout the Eastern District that she will be working on including the need for Piney residents to keep their access to health care through Altru Hospital in Roseau, Minnesota.

"Improved cell phone coverage is one as well. Manitoba roads and bridge funding is a main one that affects a lot of the municipalities and the border issue, we're still holding on. I'm hoping for a good outcome on that one."

Piney has been fighting a decision by Canada Border Services Agency to reduce hours at crossings at South Junction and Piney. It has succeeded in getting the decision delayed, pending a further review.