Former MD of Bonnyville CAO Roy Doonanco has stepped up to fill the shoes left empty after Chuck Farrer, former Wildrose Party candidate for Bonnyville – Cold Lake, stepped down for personal reasons last month.
Danielle Smith, leader of the Wildrose Party, announced the new candidate at the Wildrose Party fundraiser dinner in St. Paul.
Doonanco, a life-long resident of the Bonnyville – Cold Lake constituency, is originally from Glendon and currently resides in the Franchere area, north of Moose Lake. He served as CAO for the MD for 30 years, leaving the position in 2007. He also served as a school board trustee and for an urban municipality and is currently chairman of the Bonnyville Health Foundation board.
“I've been toying with the idea for some time,” he said after the announcement. “I wasn't ready before and now I feel I'm ready to serve. I'll give it a shot.”
Doonanco said the Wildrose appealed to him because of their policies.
“I like what they stand for,” he said. “The free enterprise, personal freedoms, local decision-making and democracy. Those are very important issues, I think, to everyone.”
Guy Boutilier, MLA for Fort McMurray – Wood Buffalo and member of the Wildrose Party, congratulated him and, while shaking his hand, said, “When I was minister of municipal affairs, this guy was one of the best administrators in the province and now he's running for the Wildrose!”
