There have been calls for Cliff Graydon to immediately resign as the MLA for Emerson following sexual harassment allegations made this summer. Graydon was also cut from the provincial Tory caucus, relegating him to the back benches of the Manitoba Legislature to serve as an independent.

At his annual open house on Friday, Graydon made his intentions clear.

"I will be filling out my term. I was elected to represent the people until the 2020 (provincial) election, and I will continue to do that," he said.

The question has also been asked of whether the Emerson MLA can effectively serve the region sitting as an independent.

Graydon admitted there are drawbacks to the status, but noted there are also some benefits.

"I don't have to follow party lines as such, not that I'm opposed to party lines, but when you have a team you have to work as a team," he explained. "But at the same time I have a responsibility to the residents of the Emerson Constituency and I will bring their concerns forward as I have in the past, I'll just be a little more forceful now."

Meantime, Graydon took time at Friday's open house to single-out those who have made a positive impact in the community over the past year.

The list included former Altona mayor, Melvin Klassen, and former Municipality of Rhineland councillor, Paul Peters, and numerous other municipal officials, for their years of dedicated service after retiring for civic politics this fall.

"They have done a great deal of work that they haven't really been recognized for I don't believe, but yet they didn't do it to be recognized, they did it to make the community better," commented Graydon.

He also acknowledged the achievements of Taylor Friesen and Curtis Loewen for bringing home bronze and gold medals, respectively, from the 2018 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games.

Emerson MLA Cliff Graydon and former Altona mayor, Melvin Klassen.