MD of Bighorn No. 8 Councillors

Reeve Dene Cooper Ward 1

Born and raised in north eastern Alberta, my childhood was spent hunting, fishing, canoeing, hiking, skiing, camping, and trapping. Easily captivated by everything I encountered in nature, I learned the fine art of observation. Suffice to say, going to school was much less involving. It is hard to explain exactly why, but I attended the University of Alberta and entered the noble profession of teaching. Most of my thirty-three year career was invested teaching senior biology. In addition to classroom instruction, I served as a guidance counsellor, system science coordinator, principal, and ATA negotiator. In 2005, I coauthored a 712 page history book, Exshaw: Heart of the Valley, that chronicles industrial and community development in the Exshaw area.

The Cooper family moved to Exshaw in 1977. Immediately, we set to building our home on the banks of the Bow River, where we presently reside. I taught in Canmore schools for twenty-seven years, retiring a few years ago. In 2004, I successfully ran for election as a Councillor for the Municipal District of Bighorn. Presently, I serve as the Reeve of Bighorn. Essentially, I traded one policy driven institution designed to serve the public interest in for another policy driven institution designed to serve the public interest. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Deputy Reeve Erik ButtersWard 4

My family and I own and operate a cattle ranch in the M D of Bighorn.

I have previously served on the Municipal Planning Commission, The Subdivision and Development Appeal Board and the Environment And Agriculture Service Board.

I have also been involved with the Beaupre Community Association, the Alberta Riparian Habitat Association, the Ghost Watershed Alliance, the Alberta Beef Producers and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.

I believe that the M D of Bighorn is a great place to live, to raise a family and to operate a business and I look forward to the opportunity to serve the M D in my new role as councilor for Ward 4.

Councillor Paul Ryan Ward 1

Paul is starting his third full term as Councillor, having been elected in a by-election in 2002. A resident of Exshaw, he has been involved in many community affairs and activities, including the Exshaw Community Association, the Exshaw Community Environment Committee , and the Kananaskis Gun Club; as a Councillor, he has served on the Subdivision & Development Appeal Board and as Chairman of the MD Bighorn Historic Resource Committee and has served a one-year term as Reeve. Currently Paul serves the MD of Bighorn on the Municipal Excellence Committee, the Assessment Appeal Board, Chairman Bighorn Corridor Environment Committee, Director Bow Valley Waste Management Commission, and Vice-Chairman Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Alliance.

Councillor Carolyn Montgomery Ward 2

Councillor Carolyn Montgomery has owned property in Harvie Heights since 1980 and has been a full-time resident since 1992. She and her husband Gary were married in 1971 and have one daughter, Danielle.

As a Professional Petroleum Landman, she has 40 years of business experience in the private sector dealing with regulations, contracts and negotiations. She is a team player and her management skills bring a fresh eye and analytical approach to major issues faced by MD Council.

She has been a member of the Municipal Planning Commission since November 2006 and has served as Chair for one year. She has served the community in various capacities and been a passionate advocate on specific issues since 1999. She is committed to being an equally strong champion on behalf of Ward 2, working in collaboration with her colleagues for the good of the MD.

Councillor Reid Thomas Ward 3

My wife Linda and I have lived in the Jamieson Road area for 20 years and have been residents of MD Bighorn No. 8 (and previously ID 8) for a total of about 30 years. We have two sons both of whom are currently attending the University of Alberta.

I worked for Shell Canada for 27 years, and then spent another 10 years providing consulting services to various oil and gas companies. While I have several hobbies and recreational interests including woodworking, golfing, curling, skiing, and fishing I’m not particularly expert in any of these – for example, my golf score is always 3 figures.

I have served on several MD Committees in the past but until now I have been unable to commit the time and energy it takes to serve as a Councillor. The decision to put my name forward as a candidate for Ward 3 Councillor was mainly driven by the acknowledgement (and perhaps a little guilt) that for the past 30 years I have benefited from the efforts of many good people -- both Concillors and MD staff --who have worked very hard to serve the needs of our MD.

So now it’s my turn to represent Ward 3 residents and landowners in a manner that meets their expectations, while at the same time, understanding and balancing the needs of the MD as a whole. A tall order perhaps, but one I think best accomplished by achieving a high level of MD resident and landowner participation.