WESTLOCK – Three former Town of Westlock councillors were feted for their combined 45-plus-years of service, receiving locally-produced artwork and well wishes from the mayor, current councillors and administration.
Former town councillors Clem Fagnan, David Truckey and John Shoemaker attended the Dec. 13 meeting where they each received artwork purchased from the Westlock Community Art Club which mayor Ralph Leriger said was meant “to recognize them for their long service to our community.”
All three decided against running for council this past fall, although Fagnan and Truckey did let their names stand in the school board elections — Fagnan claimed a seat on the Evergreen Catholic board while Truckey won a four-person race to represent the town on the Pembina Hills school board.
Fagnan, 80, served as a town councillor from 1983-1986, 1989-1990, 1998-2004 and 2010-2021, while narrowly missing out on a seat in 1995.
“It hasn’t been the same since you left … there’s no chocolate,” said Leriger, with a chuckle. “But really the work you’ve done for us Clem … whether it’s the water commission, recreation or thinking about the future you’ve done a great deal for your community and have a lot to be proud of.”
Fagnan, who said he misses council and is learning lots as a new trustee, vowed to continue giving back to the community. During the Alberta Municipalities (formerly Alberta Urban Municipalities Association) convention and trade show Nov. 18 in Edmonton, Fagnan was one of 21 men and women to officially receive a ‘Distinguished Service Award.’ Fagnan had been nominated by council back in the summer for the award that “recognizes elected officials of Alberta urban municipalities who have served 20 or more years in an Alberta municipality.”
“I miss it, the town is part of my life … I’ve been here since 1969 and I’ve always been involved and will continue to do so,” he said.
Truckey, who spent 17 years as a councillor under three different mayors, said he too misses council and the camaraderie. And while Leriger asked if he was his favourite mayor, Truckey quickly replied, “No, Shirley Morie was my favourite.”
“And she was my favourite too,” Leriger quipped back.
Truckey, a 55-year-old businessman who was always a moderate voice at the council table during his five-term run which began in 2004, said the community remains important to him and his family.
“I’ve been blessed. I was never on a divisive council with 4-3 votes and people arguing. We were consensus builders. We discussed things and maybe even had a harsh word or two, but at the end of the day we built consensus for the betterment of the community, and I think that’s the most important part of all of it,” said Truckey.
Shoemaker, who moved to town in 1984 and is originally from Ontario, finished second in votes in both the 2013 and 2017 municipal elections behind only current Coun. Curtis Snell. And while both Truckey and Fagnan said they missed the council grind, Shoemaker said he’s enjoying being out of the spotlight.
“It was a lot of fun, but I’m glad it’s over. With the COVID and everything that went on, the mask bylaws … we weren’t perfect, but I thought we did well and that’s all you can ask for,” said Shoemaker.
Coun. Murtaza Jamaly said all three are missed and the bonds that were formed went beyond council chambers.
“We were all friends … we got along so well and had a good time outside of chambers. These are people that sometimes you saw more than your families some weeks and now you don’t get to see them as often and that’s a little bittersweet,” said Jamaly.
