Garth Vallely passes away
The former mayor is being remembered fondly for his legacy at city hall, as well as his passion for people and the community
One of Medicine Hat’s former mayor’s is being lovingly remembered as a visionary, mediator and one who also had a great sense of fun.
Garth Vallely, Medicine Hat’s mayor from 2001 to 2007, passed away April 7 at the age of 79 following a lengthy period of illness.
“Over his two terms as mayor, Garth repeatedly demonstrated his caring and compassion for the residents of this community. He was well liked and well respected by all,” Mayor Ted Clugston said in a statement Monday.
Perhaps his most visible legacy is the Canalta Centre. In January 2004, at the Mayor’s annual State of the City address, he talked of the need for a new event centre in Medicine Hat, Clugston recalled. That vision ultimately became a facility “that allows our residents to showcase the community and build memories,” Clugston said.
In spite of opposition to the idea, Vallely said you don’t go anywhere unless you have a vision for the future, remembered Cathy Smith, who served on council during Vallely’s time as mayor.
“He was very friendly, the type of person to take hinges off the doors. He would never say no to seeing someone or talking to them,” said retired city clerk Larry Godin. “We were pretty close.”
Former councillor John Hamill remembers him as “very intelligent” and a “gentle person.”
“He was a great guy to work with and for,” said Hamill.
Vallely cared deeply about Medicine Hat and its people, working hard to develop consensus, said former councillor Graham Kelly.
Coun. Robert Dumanowski served his first two terms of office with Vallely, calling him kind hearted, caring and passionate about the community.
“It was an honour to serve with him, and I treasure those memories,” said Dumanowski.
Flags at city facilities will be lowered from sunrise to sunset until the private funeral service for Vallely on Saturday, the city announced Monday on Twitter.
Although Vallely wasn’t the first to propose the Esplanade, that facility was officially opened during his time in office, Smith said. Vallely will also be remembered for bringing the city into a new era of being open for business. It was during his terms in office that the collection of garbage was automated to address staff injury levels, the Hat Smart program was introduced and a lot of work was achieved in off-site levies. His style of business was not one of saying it could not be done but rather asking how it could be achieved.
He will also be fondly remembered for his mediation skills, said Smith.
“He always tried to bring people together on issues but did not interfere with your own opinion. He and I had a difference of opinion as far as politics went but he respected my opinion,” said Smith.
Vallely was an instigator of community housing, believing if you were deserving he would go to bat for you, said Hamill.
“He was a champion for affordable housing and was instrumental in the city’s involvement in building affordable housing units,” said Clugston. “He felt strongly that council should care for the disenfranchised and the vulnerable, and that every individual deserved to be heard.
“In his second term, Garth launched a task force called the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee to bring the voices and ideas of young people to city hall.”
Kelly believes Vallely’s legacy will include instigating stable city funding for Medalta.
Vallely also had a great sense of fun. Even before he was mayor, Godin and Vallely agreed to a challenge that would see them dressed up as women for photos, all in an effort to attract more male readers to a women’s magazine, said Godin. It took about an hour’s worth of makeup and clothing for Godin to be transformed into Marilyn Monroe and Vallely as a Geisha. Godin still has copies of the magazine with their photos.