Herb McLane is running for Wheatland County council for Division 7 and is hoping to succeed Ben Armstrong after 29 years of service to the citizens of Division 7.
McLane has owned a small property in the Hussar area since the early 1990s, resided in the community for nearly all of those years. He is involved in several local community activities including minor hockey and minor baseball, slow-pitch, and 4-H. He has a grade six daughter, Sierra, who attends Wheatland Crossing School.
Following formal studies in agriculture with a primary focus on animal science, he pursued a career with nonprofit and for-profit agricultural organizations with a provincial, national and global reach. His specializations include agricultural policy, strategic planning, government relations, governance and operations, and brand development, communications, marketing, and event management.
“I value the range of my experiences, which form a strong professional foundation, and I will draw upon those experiences in the role of Councillor for Division 7,” he said.
His work on animal health issues including BSE management and livestock compensation resulted in the development of a federal policy framework for increasing the value of purebred and commercial cattle ordered depopulated. This work positively impacted the cattle industry across Canada. His work also includes international market access development and the development, promotion, and sale of animal genetics and beef.
Throughout the years, he has held leadership positions including President of the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame Association and Canadian Western Agribition, and also Chair of the International Committee of Calgary Stampede.
The four themes of the 2018 Economic Development Report for Wheatland County are Community Development, Investment Readiness, Industry Development, and Tourism - these are important milestones in focusing our attention in Wheatland County as the reports recommended the county needs to be more ‘business ready’. They require monitoring, measuring, and updating in careful stewardship of the many natural and economic assets of the County.
Road maintenance and construction are priorities, as are budgets and careful and prudent investments, and resultant tax rates. Enhancements to utilities, particularly Broadband/Internet services need to continue.

With three mayoral and 11 council candidates in the running for the municipal election in Drumheller, and a total of four ballots to fill out, Drumheller residents will have a lot to think about ahead of the Monday, October 18 municipal election.
To help keep residents safe, the Town of Drumheller will have one polling station available--at the Badlands Community Facility (BCF)--to allow for better sanitation and cleaning.
Town of Drumheller Returning Officer Darryl Drohomerski says in previous years having multiple polling stations throughout the Drumheller Valley meant former returning officers have spent much of their time driving from one station to another.
To accommodate only having one location available for voting, the town will be holding a total of four days of advanced polls-Sunday, October 10, Tuesday, October 12, Thursday, October 14, and Saturday, October 16.
Drohomerski explains on the mayoral ballot, residents can vote for one of the three mayoral candidates-Ed Almond, Mark Chung, and Heather Colberg.
Residents can vote for between one and six candidates on the council ballot. Drohomerski notes any ballot with seven or more ticks on the ballot will be disqualified, however.
Residents will also be able to select up to three Senate candidates and will vote on two referendum questions-whether they are in favour or against Alberta adopting year-round Daylight Saving Time (summer hours), and ending equalization payments. The results of the referendum and senate vote will be announced on Tuesday, October 26.
Drohomerski notes residents are encouraged to bring their own pen or pencil with them to the polling station to help protect against COVID-19 transmission, though single-use pencils will be available.