Kurt Gesell

(By John Holmlund, on the occasion of the presentation of Honorary Membership to Kurt Gesell)

At the Council meeting on November 28, 1995 a motion was passed, in accordance with the ALSA by-laws, to confer honorary membership on Mr. Kurt Gesell.

Before asking Kurt to come forward and accept this certificate I would like to say a few words about our newest honorary member. Kurt was born in Germany in 1941. Kurt began his education in Europe and later attended the honors program in urban and regional planning at the University of Waterloo in Ontario.

Following is a brief history of Kurt's work experience:

• 1962-1967 Planner, Alberta Municipal Affairs in Edmonton

• 1969-1970 Urban Designer/Delineator, Canadian Systems/TRW Ltd., Kitchener, Ontario

• 1970-1973 Deputy Campus Planner, Queen's University

• 1973-1977 Senior Planner/Project Manager, SLN/Stanley Associates

• 1977- present Principal, Akley Design Ltd., South Cooking Lake, Alberta

• 1981-1984 Director, Community Planning Association of Alberta

• 1986-1988 Councillor, County of Strathcona

• 1987-1988 Deputy Reeve, County of Strathcona

• 1989 Elected MLA for Clover Bar Constituency

As MLA, Kurt served on the following committees:

• Vice Chair, Environment Caucus Committee

• Member, Economic Affairs Caucus Committee

• Member, Forestry & Natural Resources Caucus Committee

• Member, Standing Committee of Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund Act

• Chair, Standing Committee on Laws and Regulations

• Member, Standing Committee on Public Accounts

• Member, Board of Directors - Edmonton Northlands

• Vice Chair, Restricted Development Area (RDA) Task Force

• Public Member, Council of the Alberta Land Surveyors' Association

Also of note, Kurt has done extensive planning and design work with numerous Indian bands throughout the province. As with all people, there is also another side to Kurt. I won't dwell on Kurt's darker side, but I think a few comments are in order. One would never think a career in land use planning could lead to such diversity as:

• bobcat rentals,

• fence building and electric gate design,

• home renovations (this is apparently a centennial project - it may take 100 years),

• politics.

I have been told that if you care to place a wager with someone, Kurt's your man. Apparently in 1979 Kurt paid out a case of Bell's 50 year old scotch on a quit smoking bet and in 1995 he paid out a case of brandy on a bet regarding "heaven forbid" our practice review legislation.

Kurt has made an outstanding contribution to our Association as the Public Member on Council. He served in this capacity from 1989 to 1995 and it was a very quiet day around the Council table when we were informed that Kurt's tenure would not be renewed.