Irricana’s newest councillor attended his first meeting, Jan. 7.
Wayne Niblow said he began thinking of pursuing a seat on council after attending a June 2011 meeting and witnessing a debate around a centennial park proposed by the local Lions Club.
The request for council to sign a lease in order to facilitate the park was eventually rejected.
Niblow called the discussion he witnessed “ridiculous” and named it as the reason he finally decided to join the political arena.
The honourary Lions Club member said he felt sitting on council was the only way to get his voice heard.
“I feel I’m a fresh set of eyes and ears and hopefully I can do some good,” Niblow said of his new role.
Mayor Lisa Constantini administered the Oath of Office to Niblow at the Jan. 7 meeting.
“I am glad that we are at our full number of councillors,” wrote Constantini in an email.
“Wayne will be another voice and opinion at the table,”
Niblow filled the seat left vacant by the departure of Andrew Carr in November.
A by-election, to be held on Jan. 31, was cancelled as Niblow was the only candidate and therefore won by acclamation.
Niblow, who has resided in the town for about two-and-a-half years, owns a small business with his brother. The two repair and refinish solid surface countertops and are currently working out of Calgary.
“I’ve been noticing the small businesses in town have been suffering,” Niblow said of his main area of interest on council. “I would like to see the community grow to the point where we can support these businesses.”
The new councillor is father to two young children, three-year-old Liberty and 18-month-old Jacob. Niblow said his kids are at “the best age” because spending time with them is a chance to reclaim his own childhood.
Along with his resurfacing business, Niblow works two other jobs and said his workload had an unexpected effect on him during his first meeting.
“I unintentionally nodded off and Mayor Constantini had to nudge me,” he admitted.
“It was a little embarrassing and it won’t happen again.”
Deputy Mayor Larry Martin said he didn’t know Niblow well before the councillor was acclaimed but said, “I think he is going to be a good addition to the team.”
