A longtime resident with deep ties to Rocky Mountain House has thrown his hat in the ring for the upcoming 2025 municipal election.

William George Tompkins—known as “Bill” to most in the community—is seeking a seat on town council this October. Drawing from a background that includes military service, trades, and workplace safety, Tompkins says he’s ready to serve the community he’s long considered home.

He provided the following responses to 94.5 Rewind Radio News:

Please provide a little background on yourself including how long you’ve lived in the Rocky area

Actually, I’ve come back to the region. I spent my high school days in Rocky Mountain House going to Sir John Franklin. I spent some time in the military and eventually graduated from University of Alberta with an economics degree. I did some work towards an accounting degree by designation. I became an electrician after that and then, when I wasn’t able to do that anymore, I entered workplace safety for 17 years. It was a great occupation for me because it allowed me to take a look at things on a higher level and work with management and ownership— to make sure that the things were safe on the work sites. I’ve recently retired. I’ve had a long interest in politics going back to when my grandfather took me to meet Joe Clark. That’s when he first started politics that to give you an idea of how old I am! I have nothing else to do, so I got started into politics, which I was never able to pursue. I’ve been going to the the town council meetings. For the last six to seven months to try and learn not only how council runs, but the issues that they were facing. So I think that’s been very good to have led me into running for town council. 

Why do you want to run for council in Rocky Mountain House?

Growing up, I remember my grandparents driving to Red Deer every couple of weeks to do their shopping. Now that I’ve returned to Rocky, I see the same thing happening. There’s been progress, but not a lot of it, so I’ve got some ideas about how we can progress the town and make it better for the future. The other thing is I spent over 17 years in workplace safety. My job was very much listening to the workforce as to what was going on out there and solving those issues. And I feel that town council will give me that same opportunity—listening to the members of the community and trying to resolve some of the issues that they see. 

What personal or professional experience do you have that you feel would make you a good councillor?

I’ve served roles from a tradesman right up to a manager and I have owned a business; so my work experience covers a very wide range of occupations. In my education, I have an economics degree. I also held an accounting designation and CRSP safety designation. I’ve taken courses in sales and project leadership project management. The big influence on my education was when I went to university. They had a gentleman who was in his mid 80s who started University of Alberta in World War 2, he left, and then he returned when he was in his 70s to finish his degree and what I got out of the whole speech was inspirational. He said “you have to feed the mind to keep it in shape, just like you would exercise the body to keep it in shape,”. Learning has been a a lifelong experience for me. 

If elected, what would be a few top priorities?

The biggest one I hear from the community—friends and family and other people—is we haven’t diversified enough. To make Rocky a destination for new people—so diversification would be high on my list—attracting businesses. Not only in the industrial areas, but also larger businesses in the consumer areas to make it more favorable for people to shop in Rocky Mountain House. 

Where can people learn more about you and your priorities?

They can e-mail me at bttompkins42@hotmail.com. They can phone me at 780-718-1760. Like I said, I’m retired, so I usually have time to sit down and talk or even to meet with somebody and have a coffee just to discuss the issues and the problems that they see in the town. 

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I’ve been observing town council over the last six or seven months, and I think they do a very good job. I see lots of things in place that will aid in the development of Rocky Mountain House for the future, and I would just like to be part of that development. We do depend on development and expansion for prosperity, and that would be the best thing for me is to continue to focus on trying to get that prosperity for the people of Rocky Mountain House.

Visit our Municipal Election page for more information on the upcoming municipal election Oct. 20, 2025.