Fourth councillor looking to repeat

Four of the six sitting councillors are now seeking re-election in October, with the announcement by Coun. Rudy Durieux last Friday (Aug. 25) that he will let his name stand for a second term.

"There's still a lot to be accomplished within the town," he said, "and I think with the skills and attributes that I bring to the council, I think I could continue to be a benefit."

Those skills include 23 years as a school principal, which he says have developed his administrative abilities, something that has made the learning curve somewhat less steep during his first term.

In particular, Durieux says he'd like to see the current athletic park and Highlands developments through, as well as make sure that the town-wide Wi-Fi and high-speed Internet connection ñ a partnership between the Olds Institute and the town ñ continues to succeed.

"That's a big bragging point," he said. "Many articles have been written even across Canada ñ (and) North America ñ about, what is this little town doing?"

"My main focus is trying to make sure that the people of the town have the things that they need, but also the kind of community that they want," he said.

Durieux says the way to make that happen is by being engaged with the public, and finding out what people really think. Part of that, he says, is by continuing to work on governance ñ that is, how council functions for the best benefit of the town.

"What I like about council is that it's not just one particular opinion. All six of us have six different opinions, and it's a good way to know what people are thinking," he said, explaining that each councillor's social sphere and network mean they represent different voices at the table.

"We get a feel for what people are telling us," he said. "We can get all these opinions together and then make a decision what we think is best for the people."

Durieux said that people often fail to realize that council doesn't work in a bubble.

"Council has a lot of different appendages," he said, noting that the town partners with the college, Olds Institute, the Olds Regional Exhibition, the school division, as well as many inter-municipal organizations.

As councillor over the past four years, Durieux also sat on the Mountain View Seniors' Housing board, the fire committee, the library board, and the Parkland Community Planning Services board.

"Each of those partners has a part to play in the community," he said. "(As councillors) we try to help out where we can Ö trying to make sure that everything meshes together, so that everybody's working for the benefit of the town."

To date, Durieux said he thinks the current council is doing a good job.

"You don't see people jumping up with banners saying 'Yay! Town Council! Go!'" he said. "(But) I think people in the town are pretty happy with what's happening in the town."

When it comes to growth in the community, Durieux leans towards optimism.

"I think Olds will continue to see growth, industrially," he said. "I hope we also see growth within the local businesses. There are just too many vacant buildings."

He says it's hard to drive around town and see empty businesses, but he also says people sometimes make the mistake of assuming that it is an economic problem.

"Unfortunately it has to be the right kind of business to come in," he said.

"We're still coming out of that bit of a slump, but we're going to be fine. You just have to be optimistic. It can't all be bad forever. And it won't."

From dog parks to splash parks, good roads to affordable housing, Durieux says his first term has left an impression.

"I feel a bit of pride that we are working hard as a council, together, to make Olds a better place," he said.

"When you can look at those areas and see that kind of growth, it kind of makes you feel, like, I kinda helped a little bit with that," he said. "I think that's probably the best thing about being on council, this past term for me, is just being able to help, and seeing people say ëyeah, ëThis is good. This is good.'"