ATHABASCA — When the municipal election takes place Oct. 18 there will be many familiar names on the ballot, including a LeMessurier.
Twenty-nine-year-old new father to four-month-old Edison and lifelong Athabascan Jon LeMessurier is ready to step into local politics and join the new batch of councillors that will be elected in October to help steer the Town of Athabasca into the future.
“I've had so many amazing community members from the Town of Athabasca, such as teachers, coaches, church members and volunteers who have encouraged me and just really helped me get to where I am today, and I feel as a member of town council this is an opportunity for me to give back to the community that has provided me with so much,” LeMessurier said in an Aug. 5 interview.
He added he has always enjoyed everything that comes with living in a small town, like the ability to know so many community members and build relationships as well as the variety of activities to take part in.
“As a new father I'm excited to bring some new ideas to support young families in our community, while continuing to support our senior population so that they can remain in Athabasca if they so choose,” he said.
LeMessurier has a few things on his punch list he wants to work on like revitalizing the downtown core and riverfront to not only make them attractive for locals, but to pick up people travelling through the area to Calling Lake, Fort McMurray or other northern destinations so they stop and spend money.
“I definitely have some ideas,” he said. "The Athabasca Multiplex; I feel that is a big thing our taxes go toward, and I feel like that can be a central hub to our community, not only for recreation but also just for any form of event for the community and I hope to help get that place up and running to its full potential and keep it as busy as possible.”
On homelessness, LeMessurier sees the need through his work at the Aspen Primary Care Network and wants to work on policy to address it. He also sees the shortage of doctors first hand.
“I think as we address the needs of getting this community to be welcoming and having different events and things that are going to attract young families hopefully young physicians will bring their families in and stay,” he said.
LeMessurier doesn’t think there needs to be anything drastic done, but won’t shy away from change if new ideas can help the town grow adding the current council is a strong group and he hopes a couple of them run and get elected so he can learn from them.
“I'm hoping that they can help me out with showing me the ropes,” he said. “They've got the experience and I'm just going to soak that up and learn as much as I can from them.”
He also sees his age as a benefit to being on council.
“No matter what, as long as I feel I'm doing what's best for the community and for the town I think that's what's most important,” said LeMessurier. “I feel like my decisions are always going to be made based on what's best for the community so at that point, I think it doesn't matter how old you are, it comes down to the reasons you're going to run.”
