Jack Van Rijn - Town Of Coaldale'S #1 Fan & Community Advocate

Jack Van Rijn

*Proven Leadership *Responsible *Reasonable *Competent *Committed to the citizens of Coaldale
*Ask me a question and I will get you an answer

Jack Van Rijn has called Coaldale his home for most of his life and brings to council decades of experience as a business owner, chamber of commerce member, firefighter and community volunteer.

Jack has years of experience heading up community groups and projects in Coaldale. He has served 33 years with the Kinsmen, 31 years with the Chamber of Commerce and eight years as chairman of the Settlers Days Candy Parade and Country Christmas Night of Lights, which he initiated. He also served as chairman for eight years on both the Coaldale Economic Development /Tourism Board and the Coaldale Beautification and Enhancement Committee.

He served 33 years with the Coaldale and District Emergency Services, 21 of those as Deputy Fire Chief. He was also an Emergency Medical Technician for 27 years with the Coaldale and District Ambulance Service.

He also has a 31 year history as a business owner at Van Rijn Electric Ltd.

As Coaldale’s self-proclaimed “biggest fan”, Jack has chaired several community-based projects as a Kinsmen including the Coaldale Community Centre, the Coaldale Kin Picnic Shelter, Carnage in Coaldale Demolition Derbies and the Coaldale Skate Board Park. He has also co-chaired the Spray Park and the Cottonwood Estates Kinship Park projects.

Over the years he has won several awards in recognition of this service to the community including Coaldale’s 2001 Citizen of the Year, 2002 Chamber Member of the Year, 2005 Alberta Recreation Volunteer Recognition Award and the Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal, Alberta Emergency Services Medal and his 10-year Fire Exemplary Service Ribbon Bar.

Jack is very proud of the community he lives in and wants to participate in the decision making process that will pave the way for the future of Coaldale. He desires to be a strong advocate not only for the business community that currently call Coaldale their home but would like to help in attracting more businesses to Coaldale.

Committees and Boards Jack has been part of:

-Coaldale & District Chamber of Commerce
-Community Futures, Lethbridge Region
-Integrated Development Strategy Steering Committee
-Joint Inter-Municipal Development Planning Committee
-Malloy Drain Steering Committee
-Municipal Planning Commission (Chairman)
-Operations Committee
-Public Safety Committee
-Joint Emergency Committee
-CAO Review Committee