Banff Mayor Karen Sorensen says she plans to run again for Banff’s top job, and three of six town councillors have made up their minds to seek re-election when residents go to the polls in October.
Sorensen, who was acclaimed as mayor in the 2010 election, said it’s a privilege to be the mayor of Banff, noting she has thoroughly enjoyed her first term as mayor and two previous terms as a councillor.
“My motivation in wanting to continue to serve is simple: I love my community and I enjoy the work. Banff is a unique town and being the mayor is a unique job,” she said.
“The mayor of Banff not only represents a really strong and wonderful community, but also represents a true Canadian icon and a very special place in the world.”
Sorensen said she is extremely proud of what this council has accomplished.
“That said, I want to continue to be part of the projects we have started and have yet to complete, like the economic prosperity study, the transportation plan and the outcomes of the recent housing study,” she said.
“I also look forward to continuing to nurture my strong relationships with Parks Canada, the federal government, the provincial government and the other municipalities within our region.”
The Town of Banff will publish its candidates’ information handbook, which includes nomination papers, today (Thursday, Aug. 1). The papers, however, cannot be filed until nomination day on Sept. 23, between 10 a.m. and noon.
Changes to the Local Authorities Election Act mean mayor and councillors in Alberta will now be elected to a four-year term of office.
Councillor Leslie Taylor, Banff’s first mayor from 1989-95 and currently in her second term as a councillor, and one-term politician Paul Baxter, are not seeking re-election.
Coun. Stavros Karlos, who has sat on council since 2007, said he is still not sure whether he will seek another term. “I will have a better idea of what I am going to do in August,” he said.
Councillor Chip Olver, who is Banff’s longest serving politician, and first-term councillors Brian Standish and Grant Canning have all said they are running for council again.
Olver, who was first elected in March 1994, said she intends to seek a seventh term on council because she loves representing residents of Banff.
“If successful, I look forward to working with others who love our town,” she said.
“I expect the next council to continue implementation of the transportation master plan and start implementation of the recreation master plan, to finish the land use bylaw review, and to continue work on economic prosperity, transit and environmental goals. Banff is a great place to live, work, visit and play.”
Standish, first elected in 2010, said he will run again.
“My term on council has been very rewarding and I enjoyed working with my fellow councillors,” he said. “As a group we accomplished a lot by having to make some tough decisions. I’m eager to continue to be apart of council and continue to make Banff a better place.”
Canning said he also plans to seek re-election in the fall.
“I’m proud of what this council has accomplished despite some challenging decisions,” he said. “There are a number of projects I hope the next council will continue to pursue and I’d like to be a part of that.”
