beyond the ballot it was something I considered.”
In 1998, Cocks figured it was time to get his hat in the political ring and he decided to run for city council, even though he is uncertain of exactly what made him feel he had a chance.
Medicine Hat, just like his mother before him, and prior to that his grandparents moved to the area as young teens. He grew up on the Southwest Hill and was here for all his elementary, junior high and high school education.
He even attended Medicine Hat College for his first year of post-secondary schooling.
So where’s the fluke?
Well, after a year at MHC Cocks moved up to Edmonton where he completed a law degree at the University of Alberta and an articling stint with the Attorney General’s department in the same city.
As that was coming to a close —1976 at the time — Alberta was in the middle of a boom period and jobs were more readily available than had been in the past in just about any industry. And it just so happened the Crown needed another prosecutor in Medicine Hat.
“So I said, ‘wow, I’d be an obvious choice for that, wouldn’t I,’” laughs Cocks. “So I came back. I worked in the Crown prosecutor’s office from 1976 to the end of 1992.
“I then went into private practice and have been doing that from 1992 until now.”
For several years Cocks remained on the Crown side of the courtroom and handled the prosecution for cases on a contract basis. However, like many prosecutors before and after him, Cocks eventually switched proverbial teams and began a career as a criminal defence lawyer.
billcocks B
By SCOTT SCHMIDT
ill Cocks thinks of himself as a third-generation Hatter but it’s still kind of a fluke he wound up living here in the long run.
Cocks was born in
“I looked at the opportunity and thought maybe I could be elected,” he says. “So I ran and I was fortunate enough to be successful.”
“I think the reasons are different depending on who you talk to,” he said. “But I always likened it to feeling like we were little mules at a gold mine, hauling gold dust up from the pits. Each time you’d come up out of the mine, they were expecting you to be able to carry an extra bag.
“And when the mule finally collapses under the weight of it all, they just haul him off and get a new mule.”
Basically, Cocks was tired of the way the system was treating him and changed his settings so he could create a system of his own. It’s kind of the same mindset that can motivate a man like Cocks to enter politics.
In fact, Cocks began to focus on the political landscape before he even knew he would be attending law school.
“I have actually been interested in politics since I was in high school, maybe junior high,” he says. “I didn’t decide to go to law school until I was in Grade 12 and realized my marks were good enough that I could do it.”
Cocks considers himself an “old liberal from way back” who was inspired about politics and the value of public life. He knew there was something very rewarding about the contribution you can make and the influence one can have.
Lester Pearson was an idol of his when he was younger and he also became quite interested in the operations of the United Nations, attending different conferences and such around the province. He even won a trip to New York City to visit the United Nations thanks to an essay he wrote.
“That was big motivator for me in Grade 12,” says Cocks. “But being a Liberal in Alberta isn’t always easy and it didn’t look all that promising to get into provincial or federal politics, even though
Tonneau Covers Lighting Bumpers
Cocks was a council rookie in the most direct sense of the term, as he was not only new to the position but was the only first-term alderman on council at the time. Nine years and three terms later however, and Cocks had become a savvy council veteran. So much so he felt he could challenge for council’s top dog, entering the mayoral race of 2007.
Norm Boucher won that election, leaving Cocks out of City Hall for the next two terms, but in 2013 he felt it was time he got back in the game.
“It was a bit of a disappointment and a hurt in 2007 but you get over that, and I just focused on my law practice. I thought about coming back in 2010 but
I just really wasn’t in the right place personally to do that.
“When the election came up again this time, I thought if I was ever going to try and make a comeback, now was the time.”
Cocks was welcomed back onto council with open arms by voters in 2013 and feels energized by that. In fact, he feels there is a new sense of energy among the entire council and expects this group to do some big things in the next four years.
“I’m excited about this group,” he says. “There’s a good mix here and a real sense of wanting to accomplish some big goals. It’s an exciting time for Medicine Hat and I’m really glad to be a part of that.” ■
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