By Landin Chambers Black Press
Gary DeVloo looks back fondly on his many years on council for the Town of Castor.
First elected as a councillor in October 1989, DeVloo would continue to serve in that position until elected Mayor in 2001, taking over from Don Emmett.
When asked about what he feels is his biggest achievement, the former mayor brought up the construction and sale of the Castor landfill, which the Town now receives royalties on. DeVloo also points to the transfer site contract with area communities and the industrial subdivision as other highlights from his time on council. He’s also proud the town has been able to maintain their infrastructure such as the Castor arena, and the Castor swimming pool.
As for outstanding issues, DeVloo brought up the “Coal phase out transition fund.” This concerns the planned Sheerness Coal Mine closure, and how the transition fund will be used to help Albertans in finding alternative lines of work. Another project on the go when he left last fall was the water and sewer line work going into the ground in a seven block area of Castor. That work is expected to wrap up later this summer.
When asked why he stepped aside last October, Gary said he knew it was time, and that there was a need for fresh ideas on council. “You just know, to say I didn’t miss it would be wrong, because the first three weeks I just about went crazy, I stopped at the town office almost everyday.” The former mayor says he couldn’t have done it without the help of the C.A.O’s in his time, Mike Yakielashek and Sandi Jackson, as well as the rest of the town’s staff.
DeVloo has been enjoying retirement saying he’s “going to take his time to look around.” He urges everyone to get involved in their community by giving their time on council, or finding other ways to give back. On what he’d like to be remembered for, he said ” You want to be open, and for the public to feel like you did a good job, with no surprises or back-room deals. I always felt I was approachable. You look back now and say, Wow! We did quite a few things.”