The Morinville-St. Albert Constituency Association of the United Conservative Party held its first in-person meeting in two years on Wednesday night.
There were around 20 mask-clad people at the Nov. 17 AGM in Morinville, which included a vote for a new board president, chief financial officer, and secretary, as well as an address from Natural Gas and Electricity Associate Minister Dale Nally.
While other constituency associations have been at the centre of heated debate within the UCP on a provincial scale, both Nally and outgoing president Jeff Wideman said there is no drama in the Morinville-St. Albert association.
“It’s always exciting when you have an AGM, because it’s sort of a chance to tune through to a temperature check. And, you know, I think that’s what tonight was, a temperature check. And I was very encouraged by the temperature in there,” Nally said.
There were two nominations for president, Ilario Spagnolo, and association secretary Warren Pickell. Spagnolo was elected president while Pickell retained the secretary post and Tom Flynn was named CFO.
As ballots were counted, Nally addressed the socially distanced crowd, thanking Wedman.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Jeff,” said Nally.
Wedman was elected president of the association’s board in 2018.
“I told the guys I’ll be on taking a sabbatical. Not quitting, just taken a bit of time,” Wedman said.
Wedman said being involved in the group has allowed him to meet and get to know a wide variety of people he would have never had contact with otherwise.
Spagnolo said he is excited to serve the board.
“Really, my job is to help Dale get re-elected,” he said. “I think he’ll continue to do a great job for the members and for the constituency — everyone in the constituency.”
Spagnolo has ambitious plans for the association in fundraising and increasing membership.
In his speech, Spagnolo spoke about what he sees ahead.
“This is going to be probably one of the hardest times that we’re going to have as a constituency, as a party, and [as] Albertans,” he said, adding he would need everyone’s support and work.
In an interview, Spagnolo said he was pleased with the number of people who turned up for the meeting.
“When you consider the fact that we’re still in a pandemic, and everybody here is double vaccinated to get into the hall, it’s a great turnout,” he said.
Nally said he was humbled by the turnout and humbled by the fact they had 17 extra people join the board.
“When at the midway point of a term, [having] 17 people join the board is actually very humbling. This will make us one of the strongest boards in the province,” he said.
Nally said Spagnolo, who is the vice-president and general manager of Zedi Cloud SCADA Solutions, a division of Emerson Automation Solutions, has a strong business background.
“I have no doubt that he will bring his executive-level business experience to this job in terms of people management, in terms of coaching, and in terms of execution and getting things done.”
