Kubinec to open Barrhead, Westlock offices

Maureen Kubinec has confirmed she will have constituency offices in Barrhead and Westlock.

The new Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA said suitable buildings had been found in both towns. But she could not reveal the locations until leases had been signed.

“What I can say is that the Barrhead building is in a good location – it is in the Main Street area,” she said.

“It is a government office. We don’t expect to have any signage there until early July.”

She added furniture would have to be found for the Westlock building.

Meanwhile, she will continue to use former MLA Ken Kowalski’s office at 5110 50 Ave. in Barrhead. It is being manned by Audrey Neuman.

“The office is up and running,” said Kubinec, who lives on a farm in Linaria with her husband, Tim. “We have a lease on it until the end of June, so it makes sense to stay there until then. Anyone who wishes to reach me can contact me through this office.”

Kubinec has had ties with Barrhead and Westlock for many years. She was involved in the education field as a trustee for Pembina Hills School Division for 12 years and has been deputy reeve of Westlock County.

News that Kubinec will be putting down roots in Barrhead will be welcomed by Mayor Brian Schulz, who had encouraged her to keep an office in the town following her April 23 victory in the provincial election.

“I know she will do a great job for our constituency,” he said.

After a seesawing contest the Progressive Conservative Party’s Kubinec edged out Wildrose candidate Link Byfield by 7,447 votes to 7,106.

In the province, PC candidates were elected in 61 ridings and captured 44 per cent of the popular vote, while the upstart Wildrose won 17 seats, despite polls suggesting a much closer contest.

Days after Kubinec won the Jan. 28 nomination battle for the riding she held talks with Kowalski about the Barrhead office.

Kowalski said provincial funding would be available if Kubinec wanted to retain the constituency office, although he was unclear what plans landlord Gerry Steadman had for the building.

“Funding allows for a satellite office along with a main office,” he said.

Kowalski, who remains Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta until a replacement is elected once the legislature has reconvened, used Barrhead as a base while MLA.

At the time Steadman, who divides his time in BC and Barrhead, said he had no immediate plans for the building. It would be available to Kubinec, if she needed it as an office, he said.

Last week, Kubinec, who was President of Alberta School Boards Association for three years, said her life had undergone an “amazing and exciting” change since her election win.

She has been taking part in intensive orientation exercises that have been likened to being attached to a fire hose of information.

“I have been very busy,” she said. “It has been a lot of work, taking part in meetings and seeing lots of people, but it’s been a good experience.”