WESTLOCK — Long-time Westlock resident Laurie Hodge wants to help make Westlock a better community for residents and visitors alike.
Hodge has considered putting her name forward for council many times in the past, but the timing was not right, with work and life obligations. Now, she has both the time and continued interest in municipal politics.
“I have no real criticisms or agenda. I think Westlock has enjoyed the benefit of thoughtful governance and we’ve stayed the course, so to speak,” said Hodge, noting an example of the “last momentous decision” when the Rotary Spirit Centre debenture plebiscite took place.
“The results were overwhelmingly in favour of the debenture … knowing Westlock’s vote on its plebiscite was decisive and unified made me very proud,” she said.
Hodge moved to Westlock in 1988 and has called it home ever since. Several career opportunities followed, beginning with the Town of Westlock several years ago as an economic development coordinator and later worked for the Town of Swan Hills and the City of St. Albert.
In the past 20 years, she has also worked with Canadian Parents for French, Alberta Branch in Edmonton and for the last 11 years, as executive director and registrar for the Alberta Assessors’ Association, which she left in July.
Hodge sat as a Pembina Hills trustee for two terms and is currently the volunteer president of the Jarvie Rod and Gun Club.
She is a wife and a very proud mother of three adult children.
“There are a lot of issues and distractions that councils deal with and not all of them are popular. I would like to be part of a council that works together and speaks with one unified voice for the benefit of the community,” said Hodge.
“My interest is in continuing the good governance of Westlock’s councils, making purposeful decisions for the betterment of the community and residents’ and visitors’ experiences.”
For more information on Hodge, call (780) 307-9319 or email [email protected]
