Brazeau County’s Division One incumbent, Glen Gunderson, has put his name in the ring for the upcoming election.
Gunderson, who was born and raised in the area, was elected to Division One during a by-election in 2023.
He says he remembers his time growing up in this area fondly. Gunderson and his wife Arlene, raised their two boys in Brazeau County.
“I was born and raised in Drayton Valley, and lived and played on 44th Street. As a kid I skated in the Centennial Arena, swam and dived at the outdoor pool, rode my pedal bike on every inch of the town, climbed the Snoopy Fort, went to school at St. Anthony’s, [attended] Sunday school at the Calvary Baptist Church, and got to spend my allowance at Getzinger’s Corner Store,” said Gunderson in an email interview.
While he lived in Drayton Valley, he also enjoyed spending his time in Breton with his grandparents, who owned the hardware store in the village in the 1970s. His grandfather Bud Wilson was also the mayor of Breton at one point.
He says visiting the hardware store was always fun for him, because it was the hub of the community.
After graduating from Frank Maddock High School, Gunderson started work in the oilfield. For the past thirty years, he’s been the owner/operator of a tank truck working in the Pembina Oilfield. He believes the skills he’s learned as a business owner will come in handy as a councillor.
“I try to answer the phone promptly, be polite, return emails as soon as possible and do my part to find a resolution. When I make a mistake, I will own up to it and try to correct it. I will do the best job I can with what I have to offer,” says Gunderson.
Gunderson was elected to his position in the 2023 by-election. He says he’s enjoyed his time on Council and the challenges they have had to face during the last couple of years.
“The best part has been learning the ropes from my fellow counterparts at the table, it’s been a real honor. I have truly appreciated their patience with me, mentorship and willingness to both correct and share knowledge,” he says.
Gunderson says he wants to have a voice at the table to help ensure that Brazeau County stays a place where people will want to stay, thrive and raise a family. To him, this means balancing the budget, focusing on core services like roads, responsible development and community recreation, while still being open to investment and helping the area recover the money it spends on taxes to reinvest in the County..
Part of that effort sometimes means reaching out and getting more information. In the past, Gunderson has reached out to the Agricultural Service Board members for practical advice on contentious issues. He says he’s also grateful for the mentorship he’s received, and the staff at the County for all of their efforts.
“I have found that when the residents of Brazeau County call me about issues they also offer reasonable solutions,” he says.
But, in the end, Gunderson says community is still the top priority for him.
“Running as a candidate is the best part. I really enjoyed meeting the people that live in Division One, as well as getting to know the other candidates who put their names up,” says Gunderson.
