Olds' incoming mayor Michael Muzychka concedes electors didn't get a chance to vote (or not vote) for him when this past Tuesday, Judy Dahl, the mayor for 13 years, withdrew her nomination to run again.
That means he automatically assumes the mayor's chair without having to run a campaign.
"She kinda caught me off guard," he says, praising Dahl's leadership and devotion to the community over the years.
However, the 51-year-old accountant is hopeful he can earn residents' trust and acceptance by listening to people's concerns and advice as much as he can.
"It kind of cheats the people, and I'm sorry about that, but I want to earn everybody's trust, and I'm going to do it through hard work and hopefully the skills I have," Muzychka says.
"My father, a very, wise, wise man, always told me that you have two ears and one mouth for a reason: listen," he adds.
To that end, Muzychka says he plans to hold weekly breakfast or coffee breaks with residents of the community. The first such event is slated for today (Tuesday, Sept. 26) at 1:30 p.m. at Bean Brokers.
He has also set up a Facebook page.
Earlier, Muzychka indicated he wanted to see the town adopt a more pro-business stance and promote expansion of the community.
He says now it's too early to say what the community needs ñ how or if it can be more business-friendly. He wants to talk to members of the business community about that.
"Business is good, like, business in general is a very positive thing and it's something I want to encourage," he says.
"I want to freeze taxes. I don't want them more. I don't want to increase them if we possibly can. I don't know if it's possible to roll them back; maybe."
But he says he'll have to examine that goal against the desire by some residents for more parks or recreational facilities.
He also notes that if taxes are cut for commercial, industrial or institutional sectors, the residential sector would have to pick up that slack.
"I think to be honest, from what I see of the business and residential taxes in Olds, they aren't overly bad, considering the infrastructure we have," Muzychka says.
"Maybe citizens are going to yell and scream at me for that statement, but again, I'm not sure. I have to get in and get my feet under me to more accurately speak on those things."
At the same time, Muzychka is confident he can find money, if it's needed for various projects or tax cuts.
"I'm private sector. I've never run for public office (before) and that's going to be a learning curve for me, absolutely," he says.
"But I'm also a negotiator and I'm very pragmatic when I make decisions and I'll find money that most politicians won't. I can almost guarantee that; not 100 per cent, but I would say 90 per cent, I'm going to find money in the budget that a normal-type politician won't find, I believe, anyway."
Muzychka held an open house Sept. 20 at the Cow Palace, a come-and- go event to meet residents and hear their thoughts.
He says one issue that came up is a concern that marijuana production businesses approved by council for the community might make it easier for youth ñ especially nearby high school students ñ to access it.
He's skeptical about that, but wants to do more research on the matter before forming a solid position. At the same time, Muzychka stresses he welcomes those firms and the jobs they will bring.
"I don't want to make comment now because I don't know and I don't want to throw anybody under the bus yet," Muzychka says. "I don't want to make a comment that's not informed."
"I'm definitely not saying (leave). I don't want one business ever to leave Olds, Alberta."
For years, town councillors have been trying to get advance turning lights installed at the intersection of 57th Avenue and Highway 27. But the province's highways and transportation department says the traffic counts aren't high enough yet to warrant that expense, which its officials estimate in the $90,000 range.
However, they say they'd be happy to maintain them if the town forks over the money to install them.
Coun. Mary Jane Harper balks at that idea, saying the town doesn't have that money as easily as the provincial government would, and in any case, highways are a provincial responsibility. She fears it would set a bad precedent if a municipality started paying for infrastructure on provincial highways.
"(My) first impression is, ëlet's get it built,' because that's going to save lives. I think it's dangerous beyond belief, and then we'll see if we can't find funding for it," Muzychka says.
Noting he has never sat on council, let alone served as mayor before, Muzycka says he plans to take the education offered by the provincial government on how municipal government and parliamentary procedure work.
"I'm signing up for it the second I can," he says.
"That's going to be my biggest weakness, absolutely. But I adapt quickly. I'm a quick learner, and I think with all the tools that the Alberta government puts out, like those courses, I hope the learning curve is short."
He agrees the need to get up to speed is all that much more important at this time of year because efforts to craft the next town budget are looming.
Mike and his partner Lisa Dobush have three children: Paige, 23, Ethan, 22, and Izabella,10.
Muzychka says he's keenly aware that, as mayor, he will not only have to attend numerous council and committee meetings, but also many public events year-round.
"That's what took me so long to make my final decision (to run for the post). My final decision to run was not made until Saturday afternoon (before the Monday, Sept. 18 deadline). That's because I didn't want to take it lightly. It's a massively important job and I wanted to be able to dedicate every minute that it requires," he says.
Muzycka says that's why he hired a woman to take over most of his accounting business.
"I will work about 10 per cent (of the time) there and 110 per cent over there at the town office, and my family is prepared for me to work 120 per cent time," he said.
Muzychka was raised in Olds, then moved to Calgary where he took post-secondary education and began his career. He moved back to Olds about five years ago.
"I will work about 10 per cent (of the time) there and 110 per cent over there at the town office, and my family is prepared for me to work 120 per cent time." MICHAEL MUZYCHKA
