OLDS — Jan Thompson is one of seven confirmed candidates in the Olds council byelection.
She joins Mitch Thomson, Sundai Cody, Rudy Durieux, Darcy Dobush, Darren Wilson, and Keith Bishop in the race.
The deadline to file papers was noon on Dec. 9.
The byelection was called to fill the seat that became vacant when former councillor Wade Bearchell resigned for personal reasons.
Thompson is currently semi-retired. She works part time as an executive assistant for an agriculturally-based company. “Running for town council has been on my radar for quite some time,” she said in an interview.
Thompson has lived with her husband and two daughters in Olds for 31 years.
She worked in municipal government in Carstairs and Olds for 11 years.
“While working in municipal government, I worked in planning and development, operational services, utilities and taxes and then council for six years,” Thompson wrote in a bio for the news media.
“From my experience, I understand the process and policies (of council) well.
“This experience has paved the way for me to consider running as a councillor and look at how I can give back to my community.”
She currently sits on the Olds Municipal Planning Commission as vice-chair.
In addition, Thompson is secretary of the Olds Art Club and has served as a member of the local committee on suicide and depression for the past four years.
“Olds is a caring, friendly, forward-looking community and I want to continue the good work and progress council has accomplished over the years,” she wrote.
She said because she works part time she has the flexibility to participate in the many meetings and events councillors are expected to attend.
During an interview, Thompson said she was not motivated to run as a result of any particular issue.
She said she is neither on the left or the right side of the political spectrum.
“Not really,” she said. “I’m kind of in the middle. It’s like, ‘OK, let’s hear both sides here.’
“I don’t have a hidden agenda or anything like that. I just kind of want to roll up my sleeves and just be a part of what is happening here in the town and moving it forward.”
