Three Fort McMurrayites have been named to the list of Alberta’s 50 Most Influential People of 2016 compiled annually by Alberta Venture magazine.’
Fire Chief Darby Allen, Mayor Melissa Blake and George Clark, Alberta First founder crack the list of powerful Albertans along with the likes of Connor McDavid, Premier Notley and Steve Williams, President and CEO of Suncor.
Allen was thrust into the spotlight when Fort McMurray became the focus of national attention during the May wildfire.
“The experienced fire chief remains humble during the outpour of recognition and insists he is just a ‘guy doing his job,’ urging Albertans to recognize the true heroes; those on the ground, fighting the relentless inferno,” noted the magazine.
The magazine nominated Mayor Blake for her leadership through the fire and the explosive growth of the oilsands over the last decade.
“As the mayor of the oilsands capital, both as a symbol and our energy epicentre, Blake is simultaneously leading a rebuild of the entire province. When asked what she’d like to tell her fellow residents of Fort McMurray – and all Albertans – Blake simply says, ‘Strong, resilient, together – we will come back.”
As for Clark, he was nominated for being ‘one angry Albertan’, as the leader of the grassroots movement Albertans First aiming to knock off the ruling NDP government.
“During his cross-province tour of about 70 communities in January, Clark insisted there was strong opposition to Premier Rachel Notley’s leadership,” said the magazine in its write-up of Clark. “His biggest target was the elimination of Bill 6, Alberta’s new farm safety legislation.”
You can view the full list online.
