Low taxes, future growth punctuate Bodnarek campaign

By Heather Cameron
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Del Bodnarek is one of three candidates who will be running in the Village of Barnwell by-election taking place on Sept. 25.

“I was on Council previously for about 13-14 years and I found out there was going to be a spot and a couple of people have asked me if I would run,” Bodnarek said. “So I thought it’s been a few years since I’ve been on council. I might as well go back, see if I can go back on.” 

Bodnarek says that he has previously served as both mayor and councillor and thinks that there are wonderful people on council who have been doing a wonderful job keeping the community growing and up to date. If he’s elected this time, Bodnarek says he will work on trying to balance the community’s needs for infrastructure growth, community growth, and also trying our best to keep taxes at a reasonable level so that Barnwell remains an attractive place to live. 

“It’ll be about just trying to work with the team that’s there and keep our taxes at a reasonable level, but also realizing that prices go up and just trying to maintain community growth and keep it a good place to live,” Bodnarek said. “We do have a great community with the school there, but I think there’s room for more commercial business. It would be nice to get a little bit of employment opportunity for our local community as well.” 

Originally from Saskatchewan, Bodnarek first came to Taber for a job with National Oil and has lived in Barnwell for 22 years with a family that includes four children. Although he currently works in Lethbridge, he has no plans to leave Barnwell anytime soon because he considers it a wonderful place to live.

Bodnarek also encourages those who might be interested in pursuing a path in government to understand that it’s a team effort and they are working with the team to find the best solutions that fit the problems that they may face.

“I’ve been very fortunate in that I’ve had some great managers and teachers through my life who have taught me lots of times,” Bodnarek said. “It’s good to be listening more than talking, and when you’re working with people, it’s best to approach it as working with people, not against them if you’re working as a team to solve most problems, not trying to get your own ideas through.”

The Barnwell by-election is on Sept. 25.