It is perhaps one of the ultimate examples of positivity – turning a cancer ordeal into a great opportunity.
That is what Mark Vriend has done. Seven years after a diagnosis which led to a life-saving bone marrow transplant he has decided to run for Barrhead Mayor.
Although a political newcomer, he believes his small business experience, network of contacts and people skills would serve him well in the job.
Furthermore he has time to devote himself to it. About two-and-a-half years ago he scaled back his business activities to focus on recovering his health. It included selling his Barrhead company Trak Construction to get the transplant.
Today he says he feels better than he has done in ages – and buoyed by excellent medical reports he is ready for a new venture, which will see him compete with Mayoral hopeful Gerry St. Pierre.
“Having cancer has changed my life, it has given me the opportunity to run for Mayor,” the father-of-three says.
“The chances of me doing this before were very slim. I would have been too busy with my businesses.
“Thankfully, the transplant was a complete success. It is phenomenal what it has done for me. I have always been a positive person, but I think I get more excited about things now than before.”
In many ways, Vriend feels he is beginning a second life, which started when he received his transplant almost two years ago.
He may be 47 to the outside world, but within his family circle he also has another birthday: Jan. 25, the transplant date.
Looking at him now, one would never guess the journey he has been on. He appears robust, animated and passionate about Barrhead’s ever evolving business landscape. Every loss dismays him, every success is celebrated.
Frequently he drives around Barrhead, just to keep abreast of developments.
“I’m really pumped about small business,” he says. “It makes me sad when we lose the Honda shop, sad when I drive by the private industrial park that wasn’t finished, but I’m excited by Southside Greenhouses moving to its location off the highway, excited about the potential of the pool project and excited by Northplex.
“I would love to pump up small business in this town and I guess that’s why I’m running. The Mayor’s main focus should be on promoting the town.
“I want to see Barrhead prosper. If you are stagnant, the tendency is to go downhill. I don’t want to see hundreds of trucks driving through town, because then you lose your feel of the town, but I would like to see definite growth.”
Vriend, who has lived in Barrhead county 40 years, believes encouraging economic development – and keeping money in the community – would provide his biggest mayoral challenge.
Asked why he did not intend becoming a councillor before seeking the Mayor’s office, he replies: “It’s not my nature.”
“I think being a councillor is a great thing, but I want to be more engaged,” he adds.
“People may say to me ‘you’ve never been in politics.’ But I’m going to give it a shot. I think I have what it takes. I’m a decent public speaker and I relate to all kinds of different people. I like giving people a chance. I think you get what you give.”
Vriend’s decision to enter politics means Barrhead can look forward to a mayoral race.
Recently, former town councillor and Barrhead Co-op general manager St. Pierre announced he would run for the office to be vacated by Brian Schulz on Election Day, Oct. 21. Any other would-be candidate has until Sept. 23 to file a nomination.
Although born in Hamilton, Ontario, Vriend was raised in Neerlandia, where his father, Niel, served as a preacher for more than 20 years. Later he ministered at the Reformed Christian Church in Barrhead.
“My dad has been a big influence in my life,” says Vriend. “I have a lot of respect for him. He has always been very dedicated to people.”
After attending Lorne Jenken High School (1980-83), Vriend studied carpentry at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and began a highly successful small business career involving companies like Trak Construction, Barrhead Sand and Gravel and Coutts River Logging.
He credits his wife Janet for playing a huge role in his success.
“She is a detail person and has worked quietly in the background,” he says.
“I would say my strength is that I’m a pretty good promoter. I’ve spent time dealing with foreign investors and I’m good at working with good people.
“I work hard, take chances and find people I can work with and trust. In order to be trusted you have to have the ability to trust.”
As he let go of his companies to concentrate on restoring his health, Vriend saw a chance to open doors for budding entrepreneurs.
“I’m a big believer in giving people an opportunity,” he says. “Coutts is now a thriving company after I left. I think that’s really cool. “
Vriend, who moved to Barrhead from Neerlandia about four years ago, hopes his business experience is proof that there is opportunity for young people to prosper in the community.
“I’ve always been based in Barrhead,” he says.
“I live here, my friends are here and I can’t pull the trigger on leaving. Janet and I like it here.
“I’ve been offered jobs, but we decided a while back we are going to stay in Barrhead. With Brian quitting I decided ‘let’s give running for Mayor a go.’ It’s not a retirement job, it’s a getting fired back up job.”
Vriend is looking forward to beginning his campaign.
“How many people in their lives have an opportunity to start something new like this? It’s exciting. Being Mayor would be a huge challenge, a huge responsibility. I think I will be good at it. Am I going to change the world? I doubt it. Am I going to influence it? I think so.”
