Bearchell seeks third term as councillor

Election season is officially upon us, as Coun. Wade Bearchell announced last week that he won't run for mayor in the upcoming October municipal election, but will seek a third term on council.

"I kicked around running for mayor," said Bearchell, "and you know, between what I do right now, and my family, and the job that I have Ö it's not right for me."

Bearchell said he feels his strongest skills are in leadership, and that while he normally shoots for the top, balancing his current job as the general manager of the local golf club with being mayor would be tough.

"I love the job that I do at the Olds Golf Club ñ in my mind, there's no better job in this community. It's a career that I love ñ not everybody has that opportunity," he said.

"I am able to juggle this job and council," said Bearchell of his current role, which also includes being the club's head professional golfer. "The mayor is a big job ñ so at this time, it's just not going to work for me."

Instead he said he would do his best ñ hopefully ñ as a third-term councillor, who others can look to for experience and direction.

"I still enjoy it, and I still feel like I have a lot to give to the community," he said. "I think I've done a pretty good job, and I am thinking one more term on council would be a good idea for me and my family."

"The first term that I did on council was a huge learning curve," he added. "I think in this third term, I am far more comfortable with things, (and have a) far better understanding of how this municipality runs."

Bearchell said that the tougher economy of late means it's important to have people on council with the right background, and his experience in running a million-dollar business at the golf club is an asset.

"Hopefully the economy turns around, but we are going to need some strong people with a good background in business and understanding of finance to help guide things along," he said. "That's what I plan on bringing to council."

Bearchell said he's also excited to be working with the town's new chief administrative officer Michael Merritt, especially after having been part of the hiring process.

"I'm excited to have a bit of change there, and a new, fresh approach," he said about Merritt's more ëold-school' managerial style.

"Maybe we can improve how we do business at the Town of Olds," he said. "Strictly on the budgeting side, I think we can always do a better job trying to protect the taxpayers' dollars."

Now that Bearchell has confirmed he isn't in the running for mayor, any hints from the councillor about who might be?

"I think any of the people who sit on council Ö I'll tell you what, they've shown a tremendous passion for this community and I think they could serve as mayor," he said. "I've not heard anything, but there's a lot of talent there, and I know they've done right by this community."