Councillor Profile – Bill McAree

When it comes to changes in Whitecourt over the last couple of decades, Councillor Bill McAree is one to talk to. He first joined Whitecourt Town Council in 1994 when the mayor reached out and encouraged him to run in an upcoming by-election. He was 41 at the time and said that the prodding got him thinking. “I liked being part of the decisions, and there’s no sense complaining if you’re not going to be part of the solution. I thought it would be interesting to see what it was all about and hopefully do something good for the community.”

He had come to Whitecourt years earlier, with Associated Ambulance, and still holds that position today. “I didn’t have a clue what I was getting into. I just knew that these were the people that made the decisions, and I thought, why not? I’m lucky enough in my job to talk to all facets of society, so I thought I had a pretty decent feel for the community and what their wishes were and where they wanted to see the community go in the future. I wanted to represent them.”

Over the years, McAree played a role in changing what Whitecourt was, from a transient spot to a place to raise a family. “I’m proud that our community has become more family-oriented. We worked very hard to ensure that. When I first got on, Whitecourt was a place to come, make your living and get out as soon as possible. It was a steppingstone community for everybody to go onto bigger and better things. Now, we’ve made the town family-friendly, and people are inviting their parents to come to live here,” explained McAree. “We want people to be happy here, and I think, for the most part, we do a pretty decent job.”

On the problematic side, McAree said that looking people in the eye and saying no is hard. “People will come up and have a real belief or feeling for what they want. You have to investigate what they are saying rather than jump to conclusions. If you see that it isn’t feasible and have to say no, that’s hard. You might want to say that it would be great, but you can’t let your personal opinion get in the way of progress. That’s why it’s great that there are seven minds on Council.”

Councillors work on various committees over their terms, and for McAree, the Youth Advisory Committee is a favourite. “When we started that committee, we didn’t know where we would go with it, but it’s the young people who drive it. You plant a seed, and the next thing you know, they’ve got a garden growing. They are truly amazing. We can’t say enough about the youth in our community. The more we listen to them, the more we make our community a better place. This community has produced some amazing young people and great businesses over the years. I’m glad to be able to witness that,” said McAree.

Another favourite aspect for him is the controversies that pop up. “When people come up, and they are upset about a decision we made on Council, I like sitting down with them and talking about it. From the outside, people might think the inmates are taking over the asylum, but when you can sit down and explain it, it’s great.” He said that listening is a big part of the job. “Being in municipal politics is all about listening. After you listen, you have to respond accordingly.”

To outgoing Mayor Maryann Chichak, McAree gave a glowing review for the work she put into the community over her two terms. “Her name is mentioned all the time in the halls of government, federally and provincially. The way she could meet people and make connections. Those will be hard shoes to fill.”

As a paramedic, McAree said that it’s just another service to the community. “I love my job. You can’t get a better job than a paramedic. You’re there to help people in their worst moments, and that’s what I like. Being good to people has been good to me.” He is also a Captain with the Whitecourt Fire Department. “Our fire department is an amazing group of men and women that volunteer and do a tough job for our community. They spend so many hours training and are probably one of the most educated fire departments in the country, I would say.”

McAree said that his Associated Ambulance and Fire Department families are his local family since his family lives far away. One of his favourite pastimes is travel, but it’s not just the sandy beach on his itinerary. “I bring a little suitcase of my stuff, and then I’m overweight with school supplies, and I go around delivering things to kids. The last time I went to Cuba, I took 30 or 40 baseball gloves and balls. In Costa Rica, we climbed a mountain to deliver things. That’s why I travel more than anything because the best day of my all-inclusive vacation is finding a school that I can donate to.”

Politically, McAree said that he plans to run again in the fall election. “If the people of Whitecourt think I’m too old, or they are tired of me, and better people step forward, and they want a change, then that’s up to them. If I don’t get in, then that means I get Mondays off,” he chuckled. “But, I still think I can serve the community.”