Veteran politician Leslie Taylor and one-term councillor Paul Baxter are almost certainly stepping away from political life.
Both Banff town councillors say it is highly unlikely they will seek another term in office in the Oct. 21 municipal election.
“I’m 99.5 per cent sure. I’ve learned never to say never again, but unless something really extraordinary happens, I don’t expect to run in fall,” said Taylor.
Taylor was elected as Banff’s first mayor in 1989 and served until 1995. She has served as a town councillor since 2007 and was elected to her second term in 2010.
Taylor said the timing is right to step aside now.
“You have to have a lot of passion and energy to be on council. I have been a member of Banff council for 12 years in total — that’s a fifth of my life,” she said. “It’s a lot of work and I’d like someone else to take a turn.”
Baxter, who was elected to his first term on council in October 2010, said it’s unlikely he will run again.
“Never say never, however mostly I will not,” he said. “It’s been a good experience, but there’s been some challenges, the time commitment being the biggest challenge.”
Baxter, who is general manager of Tunnel Mountain Resort, is a family man with two young children, aged seven and three.
“I look forward to finishing on a strong note, but look forward to spending more time with my family,” he said.
Baxter, who secured 890 votes in the 2010 municipal election, and Taylor, who got the most votes with 1,138, both encourage residents to consider running for council.
Taylor said there’s no better learning experience than being on council, noting it is also a wonderful way to serve the community and to give back to the community in which you live.
“You could get a Masters, you get a PhD or you could serve on council for three years,” she said. “You’ll learn a lot about your community and you’ll learn a lot about Canada and democracy, which I think is very, very important.”
In talking to residents, Taylor said there are many people who question whether they are the right person to run for council or are qualified to take on such a high profile role.
“The thing is a council is there to represent the residents of the community. They’re not there because they’re supposed to be absolutely knowledgeable about every issue; they’re not there because they’re supposed to always know the right answers. They’re there because they’re supposed to be the voice of all sorts of different parts of the community,” she said.
“If you are a person who cares about this community and have opinions and ideas, then you are the right person. Take your ideas and put them in front of the electorate the best you can and let them decide.”
