Dahl speaks for possibly last time as mayor

Outgoing Olds mayor Judy Dahl received a standing ovation as she addressed the crowd at the Olds and District Chamber of Commerce Business Awards banquet at the Pomeroy Inn & Suites Oct. 12, attending perhaps her last public function in that capacity.

After 27 years serving the community, including 13 as mayor, Dahl decided not to run again in yesterday's civic election. New mayor, Michael Muzychka, is acclaimed to the position.

Dahl said she kind of fell into her public service after being persuaded by others to run.

"None of it was expected. It was all just a seed that was planted," she said.

Dahl repeated an earlier statement that she withdrew from the race this year because she just felt it was the proper time to do so.

"You always have to know at the end of the day that it has to come from here," she said, pointing to herself. "It has to come from that soul and that heart.

"And you have to also know when it's time and you have to accept that and you have to be able to release it and you have say, ëThere's never a good time because it is always supposed to be at the time you're there, for the purpose that you needed to be with those souls that passed your path in your life'.

"And I honour every single one of you because it happens to every single one of us."

Dahl looked forward to the future, saying that the Olds community is in "good hands" with its new leaders, including Muzychka and chief administrative officer Michael Merritt, who began his post this past spring.

"I cherish all and every single one of you in the entire community for allowing me to be your voice for the time that I've been here, because it was a passion. It will be a passion forever," she said.

"Your town is going to be just the way it's supposed to be. But we all need to work together, because we're all one big family."

"I'm not going anywhere; I'm still living here," she added, sparking some laughter, "but you're in good hands so God bless you all and thank you."