Recreation, Culture & Social Support Services
Sheldon Germain
Calling a city home means more than just having it as a return address. And for Sheldon Germain, herein lies the challenge facing every member of council in the Municipality. "In many communities, people grow-up in that town or city and have a distinct attachment to it," he explains. "In Fort McMurray, many people move to the community from other parts of province, country, and world, and therefore consider those places as home. The unique challenge we have is to have the people that move here become more attached to the community and be proud to call Fort McMurray home."
Raised in the city, Germain says the first step is to create opportunity in order to lure newcomers into becoming long-time regional residents. "I believe if you give great opportunities for children and families they will want to stay and continue to contribute to the community and in the long term, their children will grow up in Fort McMurray and choose to stay," he adds. For this reason he tabled a paper called "Opportunities for All" in April of 2005. "I felt and still feel that we should be pushing to close the gap in areas such as recreation, culture and the arts in this community."
Germain says he would like to spend this term on council working towards more core beautification, new recreation facilities, and a fair tax structure that allows the Municipality the resources to deliver on the expectations of the community. "Council must make some hard decisions that may not be popular, but that have a lasting long term benefit for the community," he says.
Germain says he decided to enter the political arena as a means of giving back to the place he has called home, as well as to make it a better place to live. "I was interested in the political process and wanted to get involved," he says. An avid sports enthusiast, Germain enjoys many related hobbies such as hockey, basketball, volleyball and water-skiing. "I have put most activities on hold so that my wife and I can focus on raising our three children," he adds.
Germain is the youngest Councillor ever elected to Council. He was 26 years old when he took on the Ward 1 advocacy in 1998. Upon moving to Fort McMurray in 1974, he attended local schools and married Gerarda in 2002. Both teachers, the couple are parents of three children, twins Drew and Ellie, born March 28, 2004 and Anya, born on October 19, 2005.
Germain has the all-time coaching victories in Keyano College history (2000-2004) and was placed on the College's Wall of Fame with his team in 2004. A Physical Education teacher and Vice Principal at Holy Trinity, as well as a former Keyano College student and instructor, Germain says one of his strongest traits is his willingness to keep an open mind and tackle issues with a creative approach. "My first response is never 'no' and I am always willing to listen. Listening is the key to solving problems, and I believe our community has what it takes to succeed."
Contact Councillor Germain
H (780) 743-9058
F (780) 743-2655
E sheldon.germain@woodbuffalo.ab.ca
