The Town of Stony Plain Honours the Passing of Former MLA, Mayor, and Town Councillor Ken Lemke

STONY PLAIN, AB: Stony Plain grieves the loss of a remarkable leader, husband, father, grandfather, and jokester, Ken Lemke, who dedicated 20 years of service to our community. Mayor William Choy and Council, as the collective voice of our grateful citizens, extend their deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of the former Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Town Mayor, and Councillor.  

Mr. Lemke was sworn in as Town Councillor in October of 1995. Through four consecutive terms, he exemplified dedication, integrity, and an unwavering passion for making Stony Plain a better place for all who called it home, up to his swearing in as Mayor on October 22, 2007. The years he spent at the helm were marked by progress and commitment to turning dreams into realities. Serving as Mayor of Stony Plain until February 2012, Mr. Lemke then successfully made his way into provincial politics and represented Stony Plain from 2012 to 2015 as a Progressive Conservative MLA. Though the boundaries of his representation expanded, his dedication to Stony Plain never waned, and the impact of his service continued to resonate throughout our region.

During his tenure, Lemke played a pivotal role in charting Stony Plain’s path towards prosperity. Working with Town Council, he helped achieve one of the lowest property taxes in the capital region, established the west trunk sewer line, which we are now starting to tie into and exemplifies exceptional long-term planning; the Freson Bros flagship store, starting the plans for Heritage Park and the building of the Pavilion, and advocating and successfully relocating Memorial Composite High School to its current site. His advocacy for shared services in the Tri-Municipal region established the TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre, showcasing his commitment to fostering an active community for generations to come. Further, his leadership in regional collaboration was instrumental in the formation of the Capital Region Board, nurturing increased cooperation and unity among the 23 municipalities.

“In the memory of Ken Lemke, a true public servant and dedicated leader, Stony Plain mourns the passing of a remarkable individual who devoted 20 years of life to the betterment of our community,” says Mayor Choy. “His unwavering commitment to serving the citizens of Stony Plain and the Tri-Municipal region leaves a legacy of progress, cooperation, and positive change. Our history is important and being grateful for the contributions of those who came before us is an honour to them and to our shared journey. May his contributions inspire us all. Rest in peace, dear friend, and colleague.”

“Ken Lemke’s impact on Stony Plain was significant, and his leadership was instrumental in shaping our Town’s progress. Ken made a difference here,” says Town Manager Thomas Goulden. “He took pride in our work, supported us in what we do and challenged us to be better. Ken and Gail welcomed my family to Stony Plain, he let my kids play in his office and I will keep the challenge coin he gave me close at hand.”

Flags will be flown at half-mast at Town facilities the morning of Friday, July 21 until the morning of Monday, July 24, 2023 as a sign of respect to former MLA Lemke, Town Mayor, and Councillor.