Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

NNSL (Apr 19/99) - Retired school administrator and long-time resident Earl Olsen won the Fort Smith by-election by a huge majority.

Olsen captured more than 50 per cent of the vote to win the vacant seat on council.

The new councillor said he looks forward to the challenge and hasn't wasted any time getting his feet wet.

"It's going to be new for me," Olsen said. "I've already been sworn in and had to read a couple of proposals to council."

During his first committee meeting, the other councillors were quick to shuffle work in the direction of "the new guy," Olsen said.

"They all had smiles on their faces, saying, 'Oh well, the new councillor can do this and the new councillor can do that,'" Olsen laughed. "The new guy on the block, I guess."

He said he looks forward to being a part of changes to the municipality in the areas of education, crime and tourism.

In particular, he hopes to see the proposed road south to Fort Vermillion finally approved.

"There is the ongoing road wish that we're hoping to connect south, would certainly improve tourism here," Olsen said.

Having lived in Smith for 21 years, Olsen said he hopes to use his retirement to better the quality of life in the community.

"If there are other things I can get involved with that are going to make the community a better place than it is, then hopefully I can be part of it," he said. "I really want to work close with council as a member of the group."

In addition to the election of a new councillor, the ballots also polled constituents about whether they think the number of councillors should be reduced.

By a slim majority, voters ruled in favour of reducing the size of council from eight councillors and one mayor to six councillors and one mayor.