It took just nine minutes from when we posted the acclaimed victory of once-was-is-again municipal politician Robert Richard to our facebook page before someone commented about the recycling of old politicians.
Ironically, the person who took just nine minutes to get in the first shot, is former county councillor Phil Lane.
What's wrong with this place? Or is there some cosmic, spiritual reward those of us who don't let our names stand will never know. Why do the same people want to keep trying to run our community? Tom Lett for Mayor? Ray Ewaskiw? And now Robert Richard back on council? There's nothing wrong with these people. They surely have the best interests of the entire community in their hearts ... But couldn't someone new get the same kind of desires. This community has suffered trials and tribulations and extreme opportunities, some while in the hands of the aforementioned men. The people of the area that makes up Lac la Biche County have had good leadership, poor leadership, and leadership we have forgotten about (some would call that good leadership). But what is the recent attraction in coming back to the seat years after the last try at it?
It would be understandable if there was unfinished business; perhaps something not quite accomplished in their last time on council ... but that was at least three council terms ago. Did Ray want to re-hire dismissed and disgraced former Town CAO David Sarsfield? Did Tom want to re-ignite the battle to keep the Air Weapons Range? Is Robert hoping to demolish the dance floor at the newly-built Plamondon community hall and replace it with an even more springy foundation?
It's obvious that the fault does not lie with the people who want to get back into the political action. Afterall, the door is open to anyone who wants to run — such is the beauty of a democracy. But all these old names trying to get their names back onto a council table nameplate rings like a comeback by an aging movies star or singer. Rod Stewart is back on tour? Really? Why? How? Clint Eastwood, Robert Duvall and James Garner in one movie? Wow. They're old.
And that is the essence of the concern; the optics of the same people trying to do the same thing they left many years ago does not produce a 'fresh' feeling for the community. We look at these 'old' politicians with more of a nostalgic view, not a hope for the future. Unlike new candidates who we hope will lead us into a prosperous future, we unfortunately hope that the 'recycled' people won't lead us down the same trail that ultimately resulted in them leaving their council seats the first time around. No one is saying that experienced politicians have a sell-by date and grow stale if left shelved for too long, or that older people can't do the job — it's just unfortunate that these guys feel the need to come out of retirement because no one else is prepared to step in for the first time. It probably takes a lot more effort to come out of the shadows, brush off the cobwebs and get back into the seat. Old names in a new time have to work twice as hard to win over the people whose support they lost the first time around. People remember the good times, but around here, they seem to chart, plot and carefully document all the bad times and bad decisions.
