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Pankiw to run for mayor

Rick Pankiw has a vision for Rimbey and he wants to be the man to implement change.

Rick Pankiw has a vision for Rimbey and he wants to be the man to implement change.

Pankiw is running for mayor, throwing his hat into the political ring along with incumbent Sheldon Ibbotson.

“I think we need a fresh start with a vision towards our future,” he said.

The retired businessman said he has time and energy to devote to the position and, if elected, he plans to listen to the voice of the people and follow their direction.

“If elected it would be a priority for me to sit down with council and our CAO to talk about longterm and short-term goals as dictated by the wants Rick Pankiw and needs of the people. Listening to the people is so important. They are the ones we want to keep here.”

Chatting with people while on the campaign trail, Pankiw said the townspeople appear to be concerned about infrastructure, taxes and the empty buildings in the downtown core.

As mayor, Pankiw would consult with the library board and the community and work with council to come up with an acceptable solution for the space dilemma at the Rimbey library.

If elected, Pankiw would work closely with council and administration to ensure the maximum grants were received for roads and infrastructure.

Confidence needs to be restored in the business community and Pankiw would ensure such a plan was put into place by working with council, the chamber of commerce, the Central Alberta Economic Partnership and the business owners themselves.

Pankiw will make one promise while running for the mayor’s chair.

“I won’t make any promises I can’t keep,” he said. “I do, however, promise to work with council, the citizens of Rimbey and our governments to help our town and surrounding community grow, prosper and be a town we are all proud to call home.”

Pankiw and wife Sue has lived in Rimbey since 1993. He has owned businesses in town including Co-operators Insurance, Striker’s Alley and Juice Junkeez. He has volunteered on several boards and committees and is on the board at his church.

He and his wife have three children, Colton, Logan and Taylor.