Two candidates have stepped forward for Golden Hills School Board Trustee for Ward 5, prompting an election. 
Corey Fisher, a resident of Hussar, and Alan Larsen, who hails from Standard both submitted their names for the school board elections. They’ll be campaigning to represent one of the largest wards in Golden Hills. Ward 5 includes Carseland, Gleichen, Cluny, Hussar, Rockyford, Standard, and areas south of Township 270.
Corey Fisher previously served as trustee for Ward 5. He is seeking another term to help shape the future of the proposed Wheatland East School, a consolidated K-12 school.
Corey Fisher...
Candidate for Golden Hills School Division Ward 5
“I had been a trustee in 2004 to 2007. The contentious issue at that time was consolidating schools. Now, they’ve made the decision on the location and I’d like to see it through and make sure it’s all it can be. We need something like it for the kids,” said Fisher.
Fisher argues given declining attendance and aging schools, construction of Wheatland East is a high priority. Once finished, the school may even draw students back to Wheatland County.
“There’s also a lot of students who go to Bassano or Drumheller, especially for junior and senior high,” said Fisher.
Alan Larsen recognizes there are challenges in being trustee for such a large area.
Alan Larsen...
Running for Ward 5 Golden Hills School Division trustee
“Now that I’m semi-retired, I think I have the time that being a trustee of Golden Hills deserves. People think of it as a part-time job, but with everything going on in this area right now, it might even be a full-time job to do it properly,” said Larsen.
“Ward 5 is huge. It basically covers most Wheatland County. Concerns in Hussar won’t be the same concerns as in Lyalta. They’re expanding at the fastest rate in the county, but they don’t have the needed infrastructure.”
One of Larsen’s priorities is making Golden Hills more transparent and accountable to rate payers.
“In Standard or Rockyford, if you want to know where you’re tax dollars are being spent, all you have to do is go the Village Office and ask. You may not get the answers right away, but you’ll get them in a timely fashion. As rate payers, I think we should be able to expect the same from Golden Hills,” said Larsen.
He encourages residents to come to him with any questions they may have.
“Even though I’m running for Ward 5, I don’t know all the problems in the ward. It’s just too big. One of my platforms is to be accessible. I may not be able to get you the answers right away, but I won’t ignore you,” said Larsen.
Elections for Ward 5 will be held on October 21.
