There will be at least one new face on city council when the dust settles Oct. 21 as Coun. Roger Lemieux announced Thursday he will not seek re-election.
“I know I’ve become enriched by being a member of council because I’ve just gotten to know so many new people,” Lemieux said.
First elected in 2007, Lemieux served two consecutive terms as a councillor. He said there were several factors influencing his decision not to run again – a desire to travel more with his wife Jackie, spend more time with his family (which will grow even more when his 12th grandchild is born in October) and the switch to four-year council terms from three years.
“That’s a huge commitment for another four years,” said Lemieux, now 65.
Lemieux said he has no regrets from the six years he spent on council, saying he never brought his own agenda to the council chambers, choosing instead to rely on “logic and common sense.”
“Your job is for the citizens. This is not for yourself. It’s all about the city of St. Albert. In a lot of ways you almost have to remove yourself. You can contribute but all you are is a little spoke in the wheel that helps keep it turning.”
Lemieux has lived in St. Albert for 41 years, watching a small city of 18,000 grow into a municipality three times that size. He moved here in 1972 and started LBH Building Supplies, which he ran for 28 years. His son now runs the business while Lemieux works for Vitco Industries in the oil and gas sector.
Lemieux cited a few different accomplishments of which he is proud during his tenure on council. Chief among them is the city’s renewed focus on economic development.
“The last six years there were no development commitments anywhere near Walmart and now we have all sorts of activity and building going on and that’s a big plus.”
He said he was happy for the good relationship council has maintained with the RCMP and the city’s crackdown on vandalism. He said the work the city has done on Lois Hole Provincial Park is also something that warrants pride.
“Having Lois Hole Provincial Park to the stage where it is now is something that will stay in my thoughts.”
But above all, Lemieux said he is most proud of not making any drastic changes to the city he loves.
“What St. Albert is today has a lot to do with the blood, sweat and tears of the people that served on council and their vision in making the community what it is today, which is unsurpassable in my opinion,” he said.
He has faith, he says, in those members of council with whom he worked and in those residents who have announced their intention to seek office. But he said what St. Albert is and will be ultimately lies in the hands of voters and he wants to see more of them vote in the next election.
“If you’re happy with the city, go out and vote. Be informed as to who is running and what their platform is. Don’t wish for too much change because you might get it.”
