There will be at least one new name to choose from when voters select Westlock’s next mayor this October.
Ralph Leriger, 55, threw his hat into the ring on Aug. 9. He is the first candidate in the race to replace outgoing mayor Bruce Lennon, who announced his resignation on Aug. 9.
Leriger was unaware of Lennon’s plans when he decided to run for the mayor’s chair.
Leriger’s decision to run for mayor is the continuation of a calling he’s had his entire life.
“I’ve always been civic-minded,” he said. “It was always my intention, as my career would allow, to re-enter civic politics.”
Westlock is the second municipality in which Leriger has run for elected office — he served as an Athabasca town councillor while living there in the mid- to late-1990s, he said.
However, his first loyalty has always been Westlock, having been born and raised in town.
During a 35-year career in communications and community relations with TransAlta, Leriger said he’s acquired and improved a skill set he feels would put him in good position to be a successful mayor.
“It’s really about believing I have some skills to offer,” he said. “I consider myself a very clear communicator, a good listener and a consensus builder.”
When he looks at the Westlock municipal situation, he sees a community that could do with a little tweaking at the financial level. Although he mentioned no glaring issues he would like to fix, he did say he feels the town needs to be more conservative going forward.
On the other hand, Leriger said that need for conservatism is a critique he could level at any municipality.
“All municipalities need to be very good at their core businesses — roads, sewers and sidewalks — and good strong operations in that area allows you to look at some of the frills, if you will,” he said.
One thing Leriger does not view as a “frill” is the Westlock and District Seniors and Disabled bus, and he intends do what it takes to keep it running if he’s elected.
“There’s an example of a service that we really need to find a way to fund and maintain,” he said.
