Skip to content

Ellis not to run in fall election

A Rimbey town councillor has opted to bow out of municipal politics and instead devote himself to his educational pursuits.

A Rimbey town councillor has opted to bow out of municipal politics and instead devote himself to his educational pursuits.

Scott Ellis, who replaced former councilor and now MLA Joe Anglin, in a byelection in July, 2012, will not seek re-election.

“With my current academic goals, I realized I could do a mediocre job of both but not do either one really well.”

Ellis is in his third year of politics, history and economics studies at Kings University in Edmonton.

He is finding the courses becoming more time consuming.

“My schedule has become less and less flexible as the classes become more advanced,” he said.

Although Ellis served less than a term on council, he believes the experience was invaluable.

“I truly gained a greater appreciation for the people who work so diligently behind the scenes to make Rimbey a great place to live.”

He also learned to appreciate and respect his fellow councillors for their point of view.

While he was not surprised at the level of controversy that surrounded some issues, he was somewhat surprised the library expansion caused such dissention. Ellis was the lone councillor who wanted to move ahead on the relocation of the town office allowing the library room for expansion without taking it to a plebiscite. He understood and respected the other councillors’ opposition to his stand, however.

“I saw it as the system working well.”

While Ellis believes he has made the right choice to leave the political scene, he will miss council.

“We have become a functional group and going forward, I can see getting some great work done.”

Ellis has not ruled out running for municipal office at another time.

“I would definitely run again. We need people who are willing to put themselves out there. For sure I would put my name in again.”