Current Councillors Sean Krausert, Joanna McCallum and Vi Sandford each hope to return to their jobs in fall as second-term local politicians.
The three incumbents recently confirmed their candidacy for council, with both Sandford and Krausert facing their second election in two years after they were elected during a byelection in 2012.
“Serving the residents of Canmore, while being a lot of work, has matched my skill set very well and been very fulfilling and so without hesitation I am going to seek re-election,” Krausert said. “I’ve learned how council operates and have been very involved in committee work and so what I now bring to the table, in addition to the wide variety of things that are a part of my skill set, is I bring some experience as a councillor and I am now up to speed and educated on the issues and processes and also I have found that I have been really quite effective.”
Sandford also said with a full year on council under her belt, she would like to take what she has learned and use it for another term.
“I have discovered that council duties require a great deal of inquiry, citizen engagement, research and interest in the broadest range of issues and experiences: from seniors’ housing to waste water treatment; from environment to economic generation and from Canada Day parades to flood recovery,” she said. “The job of councillor is very diverse. It can also be time-consuming, sporadic and require attendance at important workshops and meetings during the day and evening.
“As a 32-year resident of Canmore, having raised three children here and now sending them off to post-secondary and into the workforce, I feel this is right the time for me to commit to the big picture and greater good of our community.”
McCallum said she feels there is a lot more for her to accomplish on council, especially with an expectation in the community for elected officials to lead recovery after the flood.
“And that challenge requires a deep understanding of the municipal process that can provide stability and peace of mind to the ratepayer while we rebuild,” she said. “I have also had people come up to me on the street asking me if I am going to run, or suggesting that I should run again, to demanding that I should run and so I will heed their advice and run.
“I don’t think this is any secret, but I love my job and it has been a privilege. The work has been difficult in some cases, rewarding in others and I still have the passion for the work and I want to keep pushing to make life better for all in Canmore.”
McCallum, who was elected for her first term in 2010, said during that election she heard from residents that they would like to see the municipality take more responsibility for its waste, have more cooperation with its neighbours, look at seniors housing initiatives and work on transparency and she thinks council has delivered.
“I feel that my first step in providing grater transparency to the ratepayer was through recorded and archived council meetings, which was my first real motion I passed unanimously during the budget process in 2010,” she said. “It was a proud moment for me. It was a little one, but it was mine.”
Pushing for more communication through social media was also a successful communications effort, McCallum noted, along with the public budget committee meetings and ongoing development of the public engagement process.
“Administration has done an outstanding job on this; it is not perfect, but each process will only get better and we need to build on each experience and make the next one better and better,” she said.
Krausert said he is proud to be part of a council that brought forward a study of what services the community will need in the long-term and saw public transit launched in the region.
“As a councillor, I supported reduced rates for low income people and am part of the Canmore Community Housing Corporation board and I have brought a number of ideas to the table to increase the number of affordable units that are available not only for purchase, but for rent,” he said.
Sandford said she has found the process of working cooperatively with others, on council, administration and regionally, invigorating.
“Ultimately that is the goal: to do the best you can with the resources you have and meet residents’ needs and now I understand how big a job it really is,” she said.
Looking towards the future, Sandford said flood recovery will involve all participants in the watershed, while affordable housing and more public transit opportunities are things she believes also need regional cooperation.
“I think we have to look at it as a region,” she said. “When we need each other (our neighbours) are the closest link. A lot of this is relationship building within the region and we can do a lot when we share resources, priorities and goals.”
Nomination day for the next municipal election is Sept. 23 while residents will head to the polls on Oct. 21.
