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Brett joins mayoral race

Less than a month after mayor Bruce Lennon announced he would not be running in this fall’s municipal election, Town of Westlock Coun. Robin Brett has declared his intention to replace him.
Current town councillor Robin Brett wants to be the next mayor of Westlock.
Current town councillor Robin Brett wants to be the next mayor of Westlock.

Less than a month after mayor Bruce Lennon announced he would not be running in this fall’s municipal election, Town of Westlock Coun. Robin Brett has declared his intention to replace him.

Brett’s mayoral campaign will gear up right away and he expects public discussions to continue until the Oct. 21 election.

“I’m interested in having questions and giving answers,” he said, explaining it is time to give the town a new leader and identity.

“I think we’re doing very well, but I want to make sure we don’t just do the status quo. I want us to continue to be innovative and I want us to be willing to do new and different things. Lately, we’ve invested lots of money into assets — like the Spirit Centre — and I love that we have those things. But we’re (now going to be) focusing on things like infrastructure.”

Those regular ticket items need to be maintained regularly, he added, but there’s room for some changes in town.

“I want to get the town relying not so much on the residential tax base, but to increase the non-residential tax base,” he said. “I want to get new businesses into town. We’re going to be seeing a Tim Horton’s and it’s great that it’s finally coming into town. We’re seeing other big businesses like Domino’s come into town, and that’s great too. Other big names will follow those into town and anchor themselves, and I’d like to keep that happening and grow upon that idea.”

The three-term councillor said he enjoyed watching Lennon work and fondly remembered starting on council for his first term —the same year Lennon was elected as mayor.

Now, Brett will be marching to the beat of his own drum with some “fresh” new ideas and experience as a councillor.

“I have knowledge of what’s already been happening in the town,” he added. “It’s got me feeling very passionate about certain things that are happening in town, and things I would hope to continually to see happening in the town.”

Lately, Brett has been busy researching topics like the amalgamation and how it might look for the Town of Westlock and Westlock County.

“I’m not against an amalgamation,” he said. “I have listened to people speak about it and I’ve researched it happen in other parts of the world, and it will not work if both municipalities do not want it. There has to be a desire on both sides to make it work — It takes two to tango, that’s the old saying, and that’s what’s going to be needed if it goes through.”

But he said it’s not the only thing on his radar.

There’s always going to be things that are happening like the demand to maintain infrastructure, transportation and senior’s housing he said, but Brett’s biggest priority is to engage youth.

“I’ve always had taken issue with me being the anomaly for those my own age,” he said.

“I really have a passion for trying to encourage and excite another generation to get involved and make an impact in the community.

“I want people to realize this is something that matters and it’s something they can get involved in too.”

To start a conversation with Brett online, visit https://www.facebook.com/CouncillorRobinBrett.

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