Ken Heck, the new Division 6 councillor for Mountain View County, is looking forward to working with the oil industry to the benefit of the county.
Heck, who was elected in October, operates a 25-cow mixed farm with grain and hay in the Eagle Hill area. He has operated the farm since 1972 and recently sold a quarter of land and has 96 hectares remaining.
He retired from Exxon Mobil in 1996.
That experience, Heck said, gives him an understanding of both the oil industry and farming.
“I've worked in the oil industry and I farm so I have some experience there, so with that I think I should be able to try and make a (difference) there,” said Heck.
Heck was motivated to run for office because he enjoys the county and thinks he can provide some insight the municipality could benefit from. His primary issue is to improve the road network. He ran unsuccessfully for the Division 6 seat in 2010.
“I like this county and I thought I should maybe help out with it,” he said. “Our roads are a big thing. I hope we can do something to improve the roads.”
Development is another issue that Heck, 66, is keeping an eye on. While he declined to go into specifics due to a lawsuit against the county in regard to the Netook Crossing development, he said he is keenly interested in the issue.
Preserving the county's natural beauty while working with the oil industry in a sustainable way is another issue that Heck sees as vitally important. Heck said he would like to hear more about projects before they begin exploration.
“With the big oil boom we've got going on here, it's really a boon to the county and I'd like to see a few things changed just for the beauty of the place. But I do really appreciate the business of the oil industry. It's a major partner with us,” he said.
"I've worked in the oil industry and I farm so I have some experience there, so with that I think I should be able to try and make a (difference) there."Ken Heck, Division 6 councillor, Mountain View County
