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Mayor and reeve wish Kowalski 'all the best' in retirement

Barrhead’s local politicians are expressing mixed emotions after hearing that long-time Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Ken Kowalski is retiring from politics after nearly 33 years of serving the community. On Dec.

Barrhead’s local politicians are expressing mixed emotions after hearing that long-time Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA Ken Kowalski is retiring from politics after nearly 33 years of serving the community.

On Dec. 9, mere hours after Kowalski officially announced his decision to step down, Barrhead’s mayor Brian Schulz and Barrhead County reeve Bill Lane took some time to discuss Kowalski and his legacy for the area.

For Schulz, it was a case of splitting his feelings depending on whom he was speaking for.

“As mayor of the town of Barrhead, I’m very disappointed to hear that he is stepping down,” he said. “He’s done a tremendous job for our community and he will be surely missed.”

That being said, Schulz’s personal thoughts on the matter were more supportive.

“On a personal note, I understand that he has put in a lot of years and has been very committed to our community,” he said. “I can understand that with the schedule he has been keeping over the last 30-some years that he would feel that it’s maybe time to relax and enjoy retirement.”

Lee’s personal relationship with Kowalski dates back to the 1970s, before Kowalski ever entertained the thought of running for office. In Lee’s Grade 12 year at Lorne Jenken High School, Kowalski was his social sciences teacher.

It’s that history between the two men that partly affects Lee’s thoughts on seeing Kowalski take his leave.

“I wish Ken all the best in his future endeavours and maybe he’ll have the time to enjoy the pleasures of life the rest of us take for granted,” he said. “Hopefully he’ll have many years to enjoy his retirement.”

Lee added that he feels with all Kowalski has done over the years, he’s chosen the right time to step aside.

“He’s accomplished many things, he’s well-liked and he’s had some very important portfolios over the years,” he said. “He should be very proud of all the things he’s done and hold his head high. He doesn’t have to apologize to anybody for stepping down.”

He went on to say it’s a decision everyone in Kowalski’s position has to make at some time, unless they want the voters to make it for them.

Both Lee and Schulz said they were not completely taken by surprise when Kowalski announced he was stepping down, even though he had stated in August he planned to run again.

On Dec. 9, Schulz wasn’t surprised to hear the news. However, that was because Kowalski had called him the night before to let him know. Still, considering Kowalski had only just decided to run again, Schulz was surprised to hear the news.

Lee said he knew Kowalski had thought long and hard about retiring over the summer, before ultimately deciding to take another kick at the can.

“I knew he was thinking about stepping down, but we thought ‘well, he’s going for another term,’” he said. “Obviously he reconsidered.”

In Schulz’s mind, losing Kowalski to retirement may deprive Barrhead of an MLA who his willing to get his or her hands dirty.

“He was a very hands-on MLA,” he said of Kowalski, adding whoever ends up being the riding’s new MLA will have very big shoes to fill.

Lee echoed those sentiments.

“Hopefully his replacement will be able to live up to the standards he set for what we expect from our MLA,” he said.

Schulz summed up his feelings by reiterating what many other people have said about Kowalski’s tenure as MLA.

“He’s gone beyond what the normal MLA is expected to do,” he said. “For all those who have liked him, or not liked him, the one thing they can always say is that he represented our constituency, without question, to the fullest of his ability, and for that we are grateful.”

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