After a career helping people when they are most vulnerable, Harvey Giesbrecht is looking to head in a new direction.
Earlier this year Giesbrecht retired after 45 years as a funeral director and embalmer. He is now seeking a seat on Drayton Valley town council.
Giesbrecht is originally from Manitoba. He moved to Drayton Valley about 15 years ago when an opportunity came up at a funeral home in this community. During his time here he volunteered at the food bank for several years and is a long time member of the Lamplighters Hockey group which has supported a number of local causes over the years.
“We’ve put in probably north of $200,000 into the community,” he says. “I’m very proud of that.”
He is also active in St. Anthony Church, where his wife, Christine, has worked for many years.
If he’s successful in the upcoming election, it will not be Giesbrecht’s first taste of municipal government. Giesbrecht previously served as mayor of Beausejour, Manitoba, a town north east of Winnipeg he says is about half the size of Drayton Valley. That experience, coupled with the flexibility he has after his recent retirement led him to the decision to run for council in Drayton Valley.
“I have a background in municipal politics,” he says. “I just thought the opportunity now was the right time for me.”
If he’s successful in the October election Giesbrecht says his aim will be to work collaboratively with other members of council rather than trying to pursue any particular agenda of his own. He believes that’s the best way to build a stronger community.
“You can’t be a bull in a china shop,” he says. “I don’t plan on changing the world. It’s more about working with council to collectively move things forward.”
On issues such as homelessness Giesbrecht says he feels it’s important that council work together as a unit to find a solution that works for Drayton Valley.
“If there was an easy answer every community in the province would be doing it,” he says.
Giesbrecht, who describes himself as a “young 65” says his aim in life has always been to under promise and over deliver. That’s something he’s hoping to bring to the council table. Prior to filing his nomination papers he met with members of the current council as well as town staff to get a sense of where the municipality stands. He’s also attended council meetings where he says he’s sensed a real willingness to do more for the community. That’s an initiative he hopes to be able to contribute to once the votes are counted in October.
“It’s trying to move everybody forward together,” he says. “You always want to leave something better than you found it.”
