Curtis Claydon is primed and ready to fill the seat that retired councillor Jeannot Robert recently vacated. In September, Claydon won the Ward 3 seat by acclamation, with no other parties running against him.
The husband and father of three says the timing felt right. He and his wife Lorrie have arrived at a place where family demands aren’t as significant as they once were.
“We’ve gotten much better with managing our time as a family, which allows me to start this new journey,” says Claydon. “We’re doing it as a team. I owe my wife and three daughters all the credit for sharing me with the community. I raised my hand in interest and was very humbled and overwhelmed with the community support I received. From that point on, I decided to move forward.”
He and Lorrie made Ste. Agathe their home 12 years ago. He says they were enamoured with the incredible sense of community they felt here and decided it would be the ideal place to raise a family. Being able to introduce their children to a second language and watch them play in a safe neighbourhood only buoyed their decision.
“Our first visit to Ste. Agathe was in a blinding snowstorm at night,” muses Claydon. “We had an appointment with our real estate agent to view the home we eventually bought. After the meeting, we saw a snowy figure walking down the street. It was Jeannot Robert, taking a stroll in his fur hat. ‘Bonjour,’ he proclaimed. I couldn’t believe anyone would be walking in weather like that. I thought to myself, ‘These people are a hardy bunch. Sign me up for Ste. Agathe!’”
Claydon wasted no time getting involved in his new community. He sat on local committees and coached community sports teams. In less official roles, he’s taken the time to prune trees in Cartier Park and cook a turkey for the community’s annual fall supper.
For the past six years, Claydon has been actively involved on the Ste. Agathe Community Development Inc. (CDI) board. He has since been elected as director of the board and feels that his move to the Ritchot council is a natural progression, enhanced by his exposure to all levels of government while on the board. During his CDI term, Claydon participated in many community projects, including phase three of the Riel Industrial Park. Last year, the Ste. Agathe CDI received the Premier’s Volunteer Service Award.
“I love the action behind the scenes,” Claydon says. “The whole process fascinates me.”
Claydon believes that his career experience will also be of benefit on a municipal council. He describes himself as a pragmatic decision-maker at work, assessing the needs of businesses and following it up with implementation and improvements from the ground floor workers all the way up to the executive offices.
“It’s really important to be an effective communicator at all levels,” he adds. “This same skillset will provide practical assistance when gaining consensus on important issues on council.”
Once he assumes his seat on October 24, Claydon expects to hit the ground running. His first goal will be to familiarize himself with the position requirements and integrate his skills wherever possible.
“You can expect a high level of engagement from me right across the board,” he says. “Our neighbourhood groups, committees, and businesses will know that I am here to support their needs and represent their view at council meetings.”
His goals for the municipality already align with council’s current strategy: keeping residents informed through tools like Ritchot Connect, working with the Winnipeg Capital Region on initiatives such as fibre optics for improved internet connectivity, continuing toward revitalization of the communities’ main streets, and attracting new businesses to build on the business sectors.
“We need to recognize our potential and keep developing a municipality that continues to be sought after, but not hard to find,” says Claydon. “In the same respect, we need to deliver services and ensure we maintain our curb appeal to economic and residential development. I want to ensure that the momentum Ritchot has developed keeps building. The completion of our Recreation Master Plan will lead to lifestyle enhancements as we focus on our stunning green spaces, trails, rinks, and recreation centres.”
And if Claydon’s off-time is any indicator of the energy and zeal he’ll bring to the municipal office, Ritchot should be in good hands.
“I enjoy playing hockey with the dads in town,” he says. “It’s a great way to blow off some steam and get a few laughs. Each fall I participate in a full-day adventure race in the Whiteshell with two neighbours. It’s competitive and I enjoy that aspect.”
Claydon and his wife keep their children active, too, taking regular summer trips to the Rockies for white-water rafting excursions and hiking some of the coast’s more gruelling mountain trails. For now, though, he’s focusing on his latest adventure as councillor representing Ward 3.
“I remember sharing news of the acclamation with my dad,” says Claydon. “‘Aren’t you going to congratulate me?’ I said. His witty response was, ‘Yes, but I should also be congratulating the people of Ste. Agathe.’”
