Brandon Duffala, 46, was elected councillor in the Standard byelection on April 8, after beating out opponent Elizabeth Nystrom in a 63-27 result.
“I’m very excited. It’s a new venture for me,” said Duffala, a former commercial pilot who has volunteered in Standard, population 390, alongside his wife for a number of years.
“I ran for council with a genuine concern for the wellbeing of the residents of Standard, so it’s exciting to be a part of that.”
Duffala was elected as replacement for Ron Corbiell, who resigned and moved from Standard due to health concerns.
“It’s a hit-the-ground running stage for me right now. I’m trying to get up to speed with the rest of council and the issues facing our community.”
Currently Standard council is addressing the 2016 Provincial Budget, which Duffala said was “certainly challenging in this economy,” and also planning for the implementation of a regional water corporation that is expected to break ground later this year, which would serve Standard, Wheatland County, Hussar, Gleichen, and Rockyford.
“It looks like it will come to fruition this year if all goes well,” said Duffala, who said consultation and information sessions have been conducted with the involved communities for the project, which is expected to be functional in Spring 2017.
There is one and a half years left in his term, and Duffala said he expects to run in the next election.