Home Social Landscape Featured Articles A Sense of Vocation

A Sense of Vocation

by Helen Hunley

1  |  Page 2  |  3  

Although I was actively involved with the lobbying which was necessary to make good things happen in our town, I had not, until this point, been involved in politics. However, my public service endeavours were recognized by residents of Rocky Mountain House whom I knew and respected. Several of them approached me asking me to seek election as a town councillor. I pleaded inexperience but they prevailed, and in due course I was elected for a three-year term. My election meant new things to learn, and new decisions to be discussed and decided. It was so interesting that I sought a second term and was re-elected. Our town was in an era of growth and development brought on principally by activity in the petroleum industry. The final year of my tenure was drawing to a close but my fellow councillors persuaded me to seek the office for mayor. Sometimes I think that vanity got the better of my common sense, but what could I do but accept the challenge? I was elected by acclamation, not once but twice. This should not necessarily be considered a vote of confidence, since not many citizens are anxious to take on the responsibilities of elected office. Unfortunately, I believe that this is still the case today. My fellow councillors and I worked diligently for the good of the people. Despite our differences in gender, occupation, and philosophy, we respected one another’s opinions and were able to arrive at consensus without fist fights or violent arguments.

The political scene in Alberta was changing. It was time to learn more about our federal and provincial governments and the politicians involved. Accordingly, I attended a meeting to assess the man who was seeking election in our constituency for the Federal Liberal Party. Despite my reservations, he persuaded me to put on a coffee party so that he might meet some of my friends and neighbours. I subsequently signed his nomination papers. During the course of our discussions he learned that I had no political affiliation and suggested that for a few dollars I could join a political party and make my views known more effectively and easily. In the 1967 provincial election I supported a local candidate who ran as an Independent. He lost to our long-term incumbent MLA Alfred Hooke, but our committee learned a lot.

My interest and commitment grew. Peter Lougheed was leader of the Progressive Consevative Party (PC) and I noted with interest his comments and came to admire his philosophy. Ironically, I took the advice of my Liberal friend and joined the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta at the cost of $2. Now I had invested money – a paltry sum but an indication of my interest and intentions. My term as mayor would end in 1971, a provincial election would be held sometime soon, and pressure mounted from local citizens and other Albertans for me to seek the PC nomination and, if successful, seek election as the MLA for the Rocky Mountain House constituency. The recruitment pressure mounted by Peter Lougheed and his fellow Conservatives was persistent and eventually successful. It was time to take politics very seriously and to work hard, first of all, to win the nomination, and then to try and win the upcoming election. I was inexperienced in organizing political campaigns, as were most of my supporters. The encouragement and support I received was invaluable. A hard-fought campaign for the nomination was successful; in the second ballot I defeated two worthy opponents. Now on to the impending election.

The Rocky Mountain House Constituency is large, and it was necessary to devote a great deal of time to making myself known to the voters. Fortunately, my business affairs were in safe hands with my trusted employees, so I was able to travel those many rural roads to seek support on the ballot when the election was called. My campaign promise was “Elect me and I will work hard to promote your best interest.” It was a promise I knew I could keep. The philosophy expressed by poet Robert Service that “a promise made is a debt unpaid” is one to which I have always subscribed. We had many desires in the riding, and most of them were realistic and, I thought, achievable. My early life had made me a very practical person and I well realized the truth in the comment of one of my elderly neighbours, “Wantin’ ain’t gettin’!”

It is worth noting that not all of my friends were enthusiastic about my venture into provincial politics. When I related my plans to one of my dear elderly friends she said: “My dear, I wish you wouldn’t do that. The will sing Hallelujah one minute and crucify you the next.” Nevertheless, I pressed on with vigour. House to house and farm to farm the campaign for election continued. It increased in intensity after the election call for August 30 until late into that fateful night when PCs won the election and I won the Rocky Mountain House riding. Such jubilation, such excitement – such apprehension.

[<<previous] [continue>>]