A Turner Valley town councillor with extensive technical knowledge and a quiet demeanor resigned last month.
Coun. Lane Park’s last day on council was May 31. He moved to southern Saskatchewan after accepting a new job in the province. His seat will not be filled until this fall’s municipal elections.
“It was time for a lifestyle change and a new adventure,” said Park, who’s called Turner Valley home all his life. “It’s a big change and a quieter way of life.”
Park was initially elected to council in 2010 and again in 2013.
“I’m not one to complain because nobody is going to listen, but if you want to know what’s going on get right into the middle of it,” he said. “I learned lots about the day-to-day activities of what’s involved and the policies and procedures and stuff like that. I ran to know where my taxes were going and now I know.”
While Park seldom spoke at council meetings, he said he got the job done.
“Maybe in the forefront I was quiet, but in the background I made my point across,” he said. “When something has to be said I will say it.”
Park worked as a heavy equipment operator for the MD of Foothills for 16 years and was a foreman for five years. While on council, he sat on various boards including the Sheep River Library and the West End Regional Sewage Services Commission.
“I have a background in construction and I’ve worked in the past in water and sewer underground work, so I had an understanding of what they were talking about on the technical end of it,” he said.
Mayor Kelly Tuck describes Park as thoughtful in his decisions.
“He definitely took consideration of the issues that were in front of him,” she said.
Park was one of the quietest councilors at the table, but Tuck said his contributions were invaluable.
“During the budget process I truly appreciated him,” she said. “He always asked the right questions and wanted the right information and wanted to understand what the issue was. He is very compassionate and sometimes wears his heart on the sleeve with good judgment behind it. He was definitely an asset to council.”
Tuck said the vacancy Park leaves behind won’t be filled until the municipal elections in October.
“By resolution of council it’s going to be left as an open seat (until the election),” she said. “It doesn’t make sense to have the expenditures when there’s going to an election in October. It will be business as usual.”
Tuck said she’s unsure what a by-election would have cost. A municipal election costs around $10,000.
Councillor Dona Fluter, has known Park his whole life and describes him as a dedicated part of the team.
“Having him on the west end, he was so valuable because of his technical background,” she said. “He brought a lot of good knowledge to the table. While I’m sorry to see him go I think this is a wonderful thing for him to be able to do. I’m very excited for him and Lisa (Park’s wife).”
Park says he enjoyed working with council the past two terms and has an immense respect for the time and responsibilities involved with representing the community.
“It’s tough to hold down a full-time job and be on council,” he said. “You are only one voice for the rest of the town. You’ve got to make sure you’re making the right decisions. I hope I did well.”
