OLDS — Town council was introduced to a new employee during its April 11 meeting: parks and recreation facilities manager Ken Krueger.
Community services director Doug Wagstaff introduced Krueger, who had just started his new job that day, having formerly worked as parks manager for the City of Camrose.
Wagstaff said in his new role, Krueger will be “part of our major transition of moving parks into community services.”
"The manager of parks and recreation facilities is a reprofiled position, formerly the manager of community services," Wagstaff later wrote in an email to the Albertan.
“(It’s) my first day here. I am looking forward to the challenges and the opportunities,” Krueger said as he addressed council members.
“I hope that going forward that we can make some key changes and adapt to the growing concerns that the council has that created this position, so working with all of you.”
“We certainly welcome you to the community and welcome you to the Town of Olds and we all look forward to the future and the direction you’re going to bring to us,” mayor Judy Dahl said.
Meanwhile, Olds also has a new operations manager.
Andrew Phillips was introduced to town council on March 27. He replaces former operations manager Dale Rankel.
Prior to coming to Olds, Phillips held a similar job at the Town of Edson.
Chief administrative officer Brent Williams says Phillips has worked for several other municipalities during the past 10 years and has served as a project manager in the private sector.
In an email, Williams explained what Phillips’ duties are, as distinct from director of operations, Scott Grieco.
Grieco oversees the operations department in general, as well as the infrastructure and planning department and the town’s safety codes contractor.
Phillips’ responsibilities are more specifically to oversee the Town’s public works, utilities, and facilities functions.
“The manager is more focused on the day-to-day aspects of our operations’ functions while the director provides support when needed, but is largely charged with the implementation of annual and longer-term plans related to town services and infrastructure," Williams wrote.
Phillips was invited to address council.
“I’m excited to be a member of the organization and the community as a whole,” he said.
“I’ve known the Town of Olds to be a leader, in both community spirit and volunteerism and I’m very much looking forward to being integrated into the community.
“I’m looking forward to bringing my experience in technical skills I’ve learned in both private and municipal sectors to enhance the operations department in all of its safety practices and procedures.
“And (I) look forward to looking at avenues in which I can expedite projects and also focus on cost-saving opportunities.”
“I’m very encouraged to hear you mention the words ‘cost savings,’” Coun. Darren Wilson said, sparking laughter. “Welcome aboard.”
Mayor Judy Dahl made that same point.
“Certainly, welcome to the Town of Olds,” she said.
