Mayor & Council
Top Row: Councillors Judy Thomson, Jim Deacon, Sharon Hart and Diane Osberg
Seated: Councillor Michel Jackson, Mayor Sharlene Brown, Councillor Mike Ross
Mayor Sharlene Brown
Sharlene Brown served on Black Diamond Town Council from 1998-2007 and was elected as Mayor in a by-election in December, 2008. During her time on council, Sharlene has sat on the majority of Town Committees and she has gained experience in all organizational aspects of our community.
Sharlene is a believer in life-long learning and is enrolled in a Public Administration degree program through Athabasca University. She has received certification in various conflict management strategies through the University of Calgary Continuing Education Department
Sharlene has held a various executive positions in a number of community-based organizations. She is a very active community member, volunteering with, just to name a few, the Community Garden, Beneath the Arch and 1st Oilfields Parent Group (Beavers, Cubs, Scouts).
For the last 21 years she has been employed with the Government of Canada working as Client Service Officer and has held various Supervisory roles.
Black Diamond has been her family's home for 16 years and her sons have grown up in this community.
Contact: 403.919.2450 email: mailto:S.Brown@town.blackdiamond.ab.ca
Councillor Jim Deacon
I was born in Sarnia, Ontario April 1950. After finishing high school in 1968 I attended Fanshawe College in London taking business courses for a year.
In 1967 my dad, myself and two of my brothers came to Alberta for a visit. Seeing Turner Valley and Black Diamond on this trip was a high point. My grand parents had moved to Turner Valley in 1923 and lived the rest of their lives here.
I had the fore sight to move to Calgary in 1970 where I started my mechanic apprenticeship. My wife and I moved to Black Diamond in 1977 where we started our family.
I was elected to council in 1978, which started my service to Black Diamond. This included 3 terms of council and 2 years as mayor.
I spent many years coaching baseball and hockey in the community and this was truly a wonderful experience. My plan is to retire here after 30 years working for ATCO Gas.
Getting remarried again to my wonderful wife Teresa; melding two families together and starting a fourth term on council is like a dream come true.
Serving the citizens of Black Diamond has been a passion of mine for many years and I pledge to work for the people.
Home phone : 403-933-2847 Cell phone: 403-852-8315
email: mailto:J.Deacon@town.blackdiamond.ab.ca
Councillor Sharon Hart
Sharon became a member of Town Council in December 2008. Born and raised in Black Diamond, she is married with three children and four grandchildren. When she's not busy being a councillor, Sharon is busy working at the Home Depot.
Sharon has always been active in our community. Some of her highlights include:
- being first Vice for the Ladies Auxiliary Branch #78
- membership in the Oilwives Club of Okotoks
- playing in a band called Diamonds in the Rough
The boards that Sharon currently sits on include:
- Parks and Recreation Board
- Turner Valley Oilfield Society
- Sheep River Intermunicipal Library
Contact: 403.933.5041 email: mailto:S.Hart@town.blackdiamond.ab.ca
Councillor Michel Jackson
Elected for first time in October 2004, this is Michel's third term on Council. Born in Quebec City, PQ, Michel moved to Black Diamond in 1998 after a 30-year career in the Canadian Armed Forces. Michel has played an active role in Black Diamond community life. Not only is he a busy volunteer and fundraiser, he has also:
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served for 3 years on the Oilfields Curling Club Executive Committee
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served for 2 years on the Cemetery Board
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served as Officer for the Turner Valley Legion Branch since 2000
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chaired the Little Brown Jug Mixed Curling Bonspiel since 2001
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was a Parade Committee volunteer for 3 years
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High Country Wellness Coalition member
Since becoming a council member, Michel has served on most Town Council committees and boards. In addition to being President and Service Officer with the Turner Valley Legion Branch #78, he is also appointed to or a member of:
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Calgary Regional Partnership (Executive, Transit, Geographical Information and Water/Waste Water Management Committees )
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Assessment Review Board
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Municipal Planning Commission
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Inter Municipal Development Planning Committee
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Foothills Regional Services
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Joint Steering Committee
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Community Futures Highwood
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Quad Regional Water Working Group
Michel has been married to Thelma (Tilly) for 40 years. Their pride and joy Eric lives in Calgary.
Contact: 403.933.4794 (home), 403.807.6369 (cell) 403.933.5121 (fax)
mailto:M.Jackson@town.blackdiamond.ab.ca
Councillor Diane Osberg
Although new to Black Diamond, Diane has been a resident of the Foothills region for forty years. She has extensive community leadership experience and believes strongly in collaboration and citizen engagement.
Her leadership experience has been honed through executive positions on local, provincial, national and international professional and community organizations including:
- Alberta Association of Continuing Education
- High River Library Board - 15 years
- Police Commission Chair - 9 years
- Arts Council - various positions - 10 years
- Alberta Association of Gerontology
- High River United Church Education Chair
- Olympics 88 Education Committee (Distance Education Chair)
- Provincial Chair of IYOP (International Year of Older Persons)
- Alberta Wildrose foundation - 7years
She has over 50 years of voluntarism and community service, the most recent being the chair of the Sheep River Library Board and serving on a few Marigold committees including the board, the video conferencing committee, and the strategic planning committee.
Through her work career, she served in many senior management positions including Director of Continuing Education at SAIT, Director of Outreach and Distance Education, Director of Western Canada Elderhostel, Glenbow Museum Program Director and, way back, a school teacher.
Voluntarism is the heart of everything Diane has been involved with. She likes working "with" people and believes engaged citizens build good communities. She is looking forward to working with other Black Diamond groups including FCSS, Protective Services, Diamond Valley Boys and Girls Club, Sheep River Health Trust, TVOGG and the Calgary Regional Planning General Assembly.
She lives in Willow Ridge with husband Rob. They have four married children and ten wonderful grandchildren. Their lawn-less property and seven rain barrels are testament to her love of gardening. Though active in the Flying Needles Quilt Guild, she has fallen down on her quilt production lately.
Contact: 403-933-7533 email: mailto:D.Osberg@town.blackdiamond.ab.ca
Councillor Mike Ross
Following a career in the Military, Mike moved to Black Diamond in 1996. He was first elected to Council in a bi-election in 2002. During the past 8 years Mike has served on numerous Committees and Advisory Boards including, but not limited to:
- Municipal Planning Commission
- Library Board
- Cemetary Board
- FCSS
- Protective Services
- Joint Sevices
- Strategic Plan Review Committee
- Westend Sewage Commmission
- Parks and Recreation, and
- Diamond Valley Boys and Girls Club.
Currently Mike sits on:
- Subdevelopment Appeal Board
- Economic Development Committee
- Special Events Sub-committee (EDC)
- Sustainable Black Diamond Advisory Board
- Diamond Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Community Futures
- Protective Services
- Citizens on Patrol Board, and
- Community Garden Sub-committee (Parks and Recreation)
This year Mike plans on enrolling in an online Provicially run Governance Course and attending the next available Assesment Appeal training.
Contact: (403) 933-3001 email: M.Ross@town.blackdiamond.ab.ca
Councilor Judy Thomson
Judy Thomson has lived in Black Diamond for 36 years. She moved here in 1973. Her son and daughter both went to Ian Mclaren School and both graduated out of Oilfields High School. She has worked with the Foothills School Division #38 driving the same route for 34 years. Her Father-in-law, Art Thomson served on Black Diamond Council for over 20 years and was forever after her to do her "Civic Duty". So in 2007, she let her name stand for Councillor and was elected. She is fully involved with the Town now and is enjoying her role as ambassador for this wonderful little community. She serves on the following committees:
- Foothills Foundation Board
- Foothills Cemetery Board
- Diamond Valley and District Boys and Girls Club
- Protective Services Committee
- Emergency Services Committees
email: J.Thomson@town.blackdiamond.ab.ca
