As we all strive to enjoy what’s left of this often wild but wonderful summer of 2017 there is absolutely no doubt that we are going to have a whole lot more to look forward to in the fall than just the kids going back to school, a bountiful harvest, and the always inevitable arrival of winter and another hockey season.
Just as the leaves begin to fall there will be lots of action on all fronts throughout our community as a willing slate of candidates will be presenting their campaign goals and promises at election forums, coffee shops, and media outlets in an open and fair effort to become a member of the Ponoka town council team for the next four years, which will all be decided on election day Monday, Oct. 16.
The long and colourful history of Ponoka politics
In 1901 the tiny Village of Ponoka had a population of 151, but with the steady arrival of settler families from throughout Canada, North America, and beyond both the urban and rural population grew at a torrid pace and in 1904 the thriving community’s first major milestone came when Ponoka was incorporated as a town.
The first election was held in November at Reid’s Store, where Mr. John Darroch MacGillivray was declared as the Mayor, and a gritty race for the six council seats was waged by Cook Myer, F.M. Lee, W.A. Brodie, W.J. Milne, R.W. McKinnell, W.R. Courtright, F.E. Algar, Andy Reid, and Fred Lee. Mr. C.C. Reid was hired as the first Secretary-Treasurer and the other member of the town staff was the combined position of handy-man and policeman, all within a monthly payroll of $500. In 1906 the Dominion Census declared the population of Ponoka at 473, and that would surge ahead at a steady pace as our little central Alberta town would soon become well-known throughout the Province and the nation for many vital reasons and great amenities.
Meanwhile our first legendary mayor, who was born of Scottish ancestry in the Glengarry County of Ontario in 1861 would receive a rigorous upbringing in the logging industry in Wisconsin, U.S.A. but later longed to return to his home-town in 1893 to marry the girl he loved.
After settling in South Dakota with four children the little family later made the major decision to move to the wild-wild west of Canada, arriving in Ponoka, Alberta in 1901, where this ambitious gentleman would build and operate a feed and furniture store and undertaking business along Railway Street. His business went well until one early Sunday morning in 1905 when one of Ponoka’s most destructive early fires destroyed his and many other buildings along the street, but in the true spirit of those hardy early pioneers he overcame the tragedy and went into the very hectic real estate business in his favourite frontier town. After retiring in 1911 he and his wife and eight children moved to Edmonton, but over the years JD would return many times to visit the Ponoka he loved, highlighted by an honoured guest appearance in the parade and as a speaker at our gala 50th Anniversary celebration in 1954 at the age of 93. John D. McGillivray passed away in 1963 just a few months short of his 102nd birthday.
Over the colourful and exciting span of 113 years the Town of Ponoka has been led by over 35 mayors and close to 240 councillors, many serving multiple terms, and each and every one of them have most certainly left their marks and dedicated efforts in one way or another towards the growth and the progress as well as facing the countless issues, and challenges that lead to so many successes in our vibrant community. Along the way the population has grown at a steady pace, from 842 in 1926, to 1306 in 1941, to 3,244 in 1953, and was at 7,229 after the census count in 2016. At the present time the Town of Ponoka has a staff of over 60, and the trading area of commercial and industrial enterprises based over the years in this area have now developed and encompass an estimated potential of 70,000 people.
Nomination day is Sept. 18
I have always had a great deal of respect and admiration for those individuals who choose to run in municipal elections, and was very pleased to have had the opportunity and exciting experience of serving on Ponoka town council for three terms. Playing the vital role of a mayor or a councillor in a close-knit family community is a great challenge, as just about everyone knows each other and will likely cross paths with lots of taxpayers each and every day.
As taxpayers of the community everyone has the right to ask questions (nicely and positively) and to get the answers on all of the plans and issues of local government. Along the way of course there will always be lots of critics and complainers, most of whom will likely never step forward and place their names on an election ballot. No town council will be ‘perfect,’ and should never be expected to accomplish all of the vital business and direction of their favourite municipality on their own and to the pleasure of everyone. They will always require the best information and strong support of their CAO, administration, staff, community committees, and the taxpayers to help them to set the policies, balance the budgets, and make the best decisions on each and every issue, all without too many secrets or surprises coming across the big round table during those ‘torrid Tuesdays’ at whatever location the council chambers may be in the future?
Congratulations and good-luck to all those who are planning to throw their hat into the ‘red hot’ political ring this time around in Ponoka, and you should all be very proud that you are willing to serve your community in this capacity. Bottom line, when all the ballots have been cast and counted on Oct. 16th everyone will be looking forward to a strong leadership team that will take this great community and family setting into a bright, progressive, and promising future for the next four exciting years.