Watamaniuk not running for council

Coun. Carol Watamaniuk won’t step into the election ring this year, saying she’s accomplished the goals she set out for herself this term.

“When I came back I had a mission and all I can say is mission accomplished,” said Watamaniuk. “I’ve decided it’s time to call it a day.”

Watamaniuk first ran for council in the early 1990s and served three consecutive terms before leaving for six years. She decided to come back in 2007 to bring a focus on the arts back to council and ensure arts and heritage programs in the city were not left behind the other issues the city needed to deal with.

“I’m very pleased with the support council has given to the issues that are important to me,” she said. “I think this council gets it when it comes to balancing quality of life.”

By announcing her decision to leave council after her term is completed, Watamaniuk said it would allow new council hopefuls to know they have a chance at gaining at least one spot on the next council.

“It’s no secret that incumbents get back in,” she said. “I want to see some good candidates run and I want to give them time to prepare.”

City council is not the only city job Watamaniuk has held while living in St. Albert over 35 years. She was the city’s first cultural director and held the post for 11 years, leaving in 1985. She was also the former executive director of the Arts and Heritage Foundation before deciding to make one last run at council in 2007.

Watamaniuk said she made the decision to leave council after this term for a number of reasons beyond accomplishing her goals, among them to spend time with her husband, Ron, who she cited as a large supporter of her work. She also said she didn’t want to miss out on her four-year-old twin granddaughters’ lives, which she called the joy of her life.

“They’re starting to get into things,” said Watamaniuk. “I don’t want to choose between a council meeting and a dance recital or soccer practice.”

Mayor Nolan Crouse said he was informed a while ago about Watamaniuk’s plans to not run in the election, adding he could understand her decision. He also commended her for her work within the city and arts and heritage communities.

“She’s maintained a very consistent message through all the years I’ve known her, and that is that the arts and heritage need to be managed, needs to be built and needs to be maintained,” he said. “That’s been her modus operandi her whole life.”

Coun. Gareth Jones said he was sad to hear that Watamaniuk would not be running again, adding that she brought balance and experience to the current council. He also said that, with Watamaniuk being the only female on council, he hoped another would be able to step into her place in the new election.

“I think it’s very important to have one or more females on council,” he added. “Her contribution is great.”

Although she plans to slow down once she leaves council, Watamaniuk said it doesn’t mean she will stop working, adding that she has some plans under way that she will get into after October.