Hayward defeats Barnhart to become MOS president

Naicam Mayor Rodger Hayward has been given another title.

Hayward was elected president of the Municipalities of Saskatchewan (MOS) on Monday, defeating incumbent Gordon Barnhart during a virtual election.

Barnhart, the mayor of Saltcoats, had been under fire recently for travelling to Hawaii during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is an honour to be elected Municipalities of Saskatchewan president,” Hayward said in a media release. “I look forward to continuing to work with Municipalities of Saskatchewan’s Board of Directors as president, and our member municipalities, to ensure our hometowns have the resources we need. We are stronger when we work together.”

Hayward, the organization’s vice-president of towns since 2012, has represented the community of Naicam at the MOS level since 1996. He has served six terms as the town’s mayor.