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Angela set to serve constituency office again |
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Tuesday, 01 April 2008 |
Reminiscent of years gone by, the Taber-Cardston-Warner MLA constituency office for Broyce Jacobs opened yesterday with familiarity.
By Sharon Ulrich
Taber Times
It was some 15 years ago Angela Wolgen began as the constituency office assistant to then-MLA Ron Hierath from 1993-2001, and subsequently to Jacobs for four years, a role she now reprises.
Jacobs explains he approached Wolgen and indicated to her if he were to be elected, he would offer her the opportunity to work for him once more with respect to past experiences.
"I think the people in Taber will be happy about that," he remarks with reference to her acceptance of the position. "She is an excellent people person and did an excellent job for me before."
In the three-year span Jacobs was last in office, Wolgen worked for the M.D. of Taber and was happy to be a part of a team of great councillors and staff that worked together to grow, build and sustain the M.D.
Such experiences will likely enable her to address local concerns, as well as enhance her ability to express such issues to Jacobs, in his role to look for solutions for constituents as the Cardston-Taber-Warner MLA.
"I now understand the concerns and needs of a municipality more than I ever have, as I sat in most of the meetings and took minutes. I believe the experience and knowledge that I have received will help Broyce Jacobs as he moves forward to represent the people of this area."
Leaving the M.D. of Taber was a very difficult decision for Wolgen, who notes she made the decision to leave based on her passion for working with people.
"Every day working in the constituency office was a new and exciting challenge, whether it was helping someone with a student loan problem, a WCB concern or health care. It was different and challenging with every phone call or walk-in."
Always with an interest in government and a love for the job that came from working with and helping people, Wolgen also finds a balance that comes from making the best effort, without necessarily the best outcome.
"I just enjoy interaction with people and helping them find a solution to their concerns and working with government to do that. I love investigating and digging to find the answer with not always a positive result, but with the satisfaction of doing your very best to help someone."
Yet still, what Wolgen is most looking forward to starting again in the once-familiar position is working with Jacobs as the area's MLA.
"He is a very hard-working MLA and I appreciated his compassion and kindness as he worked to help constituents. I think we work very well together as we see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues and think along the same lines."
As Jacobs is getting sworn in April 7, and says he will spend four days a week in Edmonton when sitting in the Legislature, he notes he can't be in the constituency office every day, all day. And while he emphasizes he will be in the local office as much as possible, Wolgen will be available to take calls, listen to concerns and advise him of any situations.
"Many things she can probably deal with because she knows how to contact the appropriate people. She'll keep me informed but she is the kind of person I will let go ahead and make a lot of phone calls on her own to the appropriate departments. They know her, so she will help me solve the problems of the constituents."
In the weeks since the election, Jacobs has been getting many phone calls every day with expression of concerns of the need for more doctors in the rural areas, assistance with various grant applications and worries about West Nile Virus.
"That grant communities used to get to spray mosquitoes was withdrawn a couple of years ago and so I've got one or two mayors that want to know if we can get that grant back in this area where West Nile Virus was more of a problem than it was in other parts of Alberta," explains Jacobs, adding he has also been meeting with town and county councils to help them with various water and infrastructure projects.
"There's lots of issues from people who are giving me concerns to take to Edmonton and I'm really happy to do that."
The constituency office is located in the Teleplaza at 5224 48 Avenue in Taber. Those with comments or concerns can call 223-0001, or if out of the area, toll free at 1-800-600-6080. Faxes can be sent to 403-223-0002.
Wolgen welcomes everyone to stop by the office or call with any concerns or comments. |
