A mayor’s life

Times Reporter        

 

Theatre, vacationing and being a family man, all fit the criteria of what Mayor Michael Ell considers to be his lifestyle when he’s not running politics in Strathmore. 

With Strathmore being a popular railway hub at one point in time, the mayor had an historical interest in how the community was developed. 

“In 1977, the CPR  (Canadian Pacific Railway) abandoned the rail line and the signing for Strathmore,” said Ell. The railway was the start to building the town because that was the main transportation.

The CPR had an experimental farm (by the Canadian Tire, Orchard Park) where they raised livestock, poultry, and grew fruit and vegetables to feed the passengers on the train, said Ell. 

The mayor had a varied career before he was elected in October 2013.  

“I graduated from high school almost 50 years ago and I have lived in Strathmore since 1977,”said Ell. 

He was born in High River and spent some time in Calgary and Regina working for Marathon Realty.

“My responsibility was to process the pay of all the real estate taxes from Northern Ontario to just inside the B.C. border for the CPR Rail,” said Ell. 

After his tenure with Marathon Realty, Ell was heavily involved in finance until he retired. 

“I did commercial credit and consumer credit. I was a branch manager for a credit union, and also have done insurance investigation, and worked for the federal government,” said Ell.  

He also has a keen interest in theatre. Ell was, and still is, very enthused about being involved with the performances that go on and helping in any way he can. 

“I have been involved with Strathmore Theatre Players since 1987, and when necessary, I have worked behind the scenes, worked on the stage and I have enjoyed every moment of it,” said Ell. “Artists in general, whether it is singing or making a plate, pottery … we have very talented people in this town, which goes unnoticed. We have to find a way to bring that talent out and let them show it.”

Ell’s theatre career was jumpstarted when a boss of his let him go. 

“In 1987 my boss walked in and said you are fired and I walked down to Marleen (Fedoruk’s) house and walked and asked her if she was wanting help with the Strathmore Theatre Players and she said yes,” he said.

Ell thoroughly enjoys acting. One play that was his personal favorite was “Don’t Feed the Ducks.” 

Travelling is something that Ell and his wife have taken a keen interest in. 

“From January to October we enjoyed being retired as we’ve been on a cruise down the Mexican coast, two Caribbean cruises, on the Mayan Riviera three times and Hawaii,” said Ell.

The one trip that was very memorable for Ell was Tahiti, where they got to stay in straw-covered bungalows over the water.  

“We had the best over the water bungalow, you have to walk over a wooden walkway that takes you over and had a glass plate to watch the fish.”

Ell hopes to do that trip again someday, but for now he is actively involved in Strathmore being the most progressive town it can be.