LAC LA BICHE - When former Ward 2 councillor George L’Heureux decided to run for Lac La Biche County mayor this election, it meant that a new face would be elected to the vacant seat. After last Monday's election night results were tabulated, political newcomer Kevin Paré won the riding. With 282 of the 531 votes cast in Ward 2, Paré was one of only four elected officials in the Lac La Biche County to win his seat with more than 50 per cent of voter support.
In Ward 1, by contrast, incumbent Darlene Beniuk returned to her seat with just 83 votes cast in her favour out of 364 that were split between the six candidates running in the ward.
Speaking to Lakeland Today the morning after the election, Paré says he was thrilled by Monday night’s election results and by all the support he received throughout the campaign.
“I feel pretty good this morning. I’m happy for sure and relieved it's all over and done with, it was a long couple of months,” he said, smiling.
The lifelong resident of Ward 2 offered his name to the race when he recognized the work his community needed, he says. A longtime volunteer and advocate, who in recent years has helped raise tens of thousands of dollars for the regional Road To Hope foundation, said that after spending 15 to 20 years giving back to his community, municipal politics was the next viable step.
Paré says his passion for his community and 30-year experience working in the oilfield industry will also bring a much-needed voice to represent the ward's needs.
“I acquired a lot of leadership, planning and development skills during that time, and I plan to put those forth to council chambers.”
Initiatives
Estimating that he visited more than 500 homes in Ward 2 during the campaign trail, the issues residents talked about included infrastructure projects, good use of tax dollars and crime prevention, says the new councillor-elect who will be officially sworn into office next week.
Often, his constituents expressed frustration that beautification projects and amenities were being built in the hamlet of Lac La Biche as a priority for council, rather than crucial road and sewage system projects in more rural wards.
“They’re concerned about high spending in the town and not seeing anything for their tax dollars … you are accommodating 25 per cent of the population and 75 per cent are feeling ignored in the County,” he says.”
The Missawawi Lake Phase 1 & 2 infrastructure project was supposed to rectify the road conditions, and ditch drainage in the Ward 2 subdivisions, but the work that has started, he says, is not sufficient for the long-term
“Poor infrastructure — I have four subdivisions in Ward 2, and all four of them need oil resurfacing and ditch work for drainage. It may be on the books to do... but it keeps getting pushed because there is no money left at the end of the year.”
Coming days
Paré is excited to be starting his political role.
“I know quite a few people on council and I’m looking forward to working with them and learning new things — and maybe I can bring a few things to council that they're not aware of."
Ward 2 municipal election results:
Kevin Paré — 282 votes
Jodi Brownlie — 131 votes
George Buchanan — 75 votes
Liz Shaffer — 39 votes
