Ed Attridge is the new administrator for the Town of Wolseley. He started his new position on Wednesday, June 15 – the day after Wolseley declared a state of emergency.
Attridge, a biologist with a degree in zoology from the University of British Columbia, began his career working for the federal government of the United States, in the Bering Sea.
He also spent a number of years working in the pollock fishery based out of Seattle, Washington. He later worked for the Canadian federal government as a contractor for various marine-related contracts on the Pacific west coast.
Attridge stated, “My experience as a biologist and resource consultant has involved many different relationships with various branches and levels of government and I am hoping that this experience will help me perform my duties here in Wolseley.” S
ome of his expertise comes from time spent as a consultant to chief and council for a large technically advanced First Nations Reserve in British Columbia.
As well, Attridge has been involved in many aspects of community sustainable development, aspects of council, program development, and fund raising on behalf of communities and program implementations. “I’ve worked for the aboriginal justice department, as well as a consultant in many other different areas.”
Currently taking classes through the University of Regina, Attridge is seventy-five per cent complete in his ‘C certificate’, which is the requirement for being a town administrator. He went on to say, “Although I have not previously worked directly for a municipality, I have experience in efforts that have involved and/or have included municipalities as part of the process including regional economic development initiatives, capital project funding and implementation, as a natural resource and funding consultant to Council, development efforts, community economic sustainability initiatives and social program funding, design and development.”
Gail Blaney, the interim town administrator will continue to supervise and mentor Attridge for the next year on a part-time basis.
Attridge, who was born and raised in Quesnel, British Columbia had lived on Gabriola Island, B.C. before making the move with his wife, Cindy, to Glenavon, where they have resided for the last two years in semi-retirement. The couple have one grown daughter, Terrasena.
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