CARSTAIRS - Residents had an opportunity to see and hear from all the candidates for mayor and council on Oct. 3 at the community hall.
The forum was organized by the Carstairs Chamber of Commerce. The vote goes Oct. 16 at the community hall at 1100 Lackner Way.
The candidates, which include two running for one mayor spot and seven running for six councillor spots, each had two minutes for opening statements.
Following the opening statements, moderator William Stevenson asked the candidates several questions from the audience. The evening wrapped up with each candidate having one-minute closing remarks.
MAYOR
Cameron Tolley, who is running for mayor, told the audience that although he has not been in Carstairs for long, he is looking ahead to the future.
"I did my research, I talked to my neighbours and figured I could at the very least provide my community with something they haven't had in a long time: choice for mayor," said Tolley. "Democracy is about choice."
Tolley said his ideas aren't revolutionary but are common sense.
"My platform is simple," he said. "What I offer is to build on an already solid foundation with a new set of eyes and fresh perspective to the problems we face."
Incumbent mayor Lance Colby talked about how Carstairs is the fastest growing community in the area.
"This has happened because of proper planning for the future by having the infrastructure to meet the development needs of the town," said Colby. "We've annexed land for 20 years; we secured land to expand our sewage lagoons; we (acquired) land for our tri-services building; we planned and designed a new water reservoir. This will only be built or expanded as needed.
"Council, administration and outside staff and volunteers are proud of our community and work hard to make Carstairs a place where people want to live and raise a family."
COUNCILLOR
Incumbent councillor Marty Ratz drew the first turn at the mike. He talked about his background in policing and security.
"I've met with community groups to identify a variety of issues and solutions," said Ratz. "I believe in responsible taxation. I support managing taxes through responsible budgets."
Ratz said his focus as councillor has been and always will be on having Carstairs be a safe and vibrant community.
Councillor candidate Rhonda Kraemer-Wise told the audience that serving the people of Carstairs would be her goal.
"With the abundance of councillors, we each give a different perspective and we seek wisdom from those who have knowledge we need to learn from," said Kraemer-Wise.
Kraemer-Wise said she has a wide variety of experience with various groups and organizations in her 37 years in Carstairs.
"This is my chance to give back to the town I'm glad to be a part of," she said.
Incumbent councillor Bob Green said the town has seen some amazing growth since he first moved here in 1996.
"Yet with this growth we have seen the quiet, organized improvement to allow our citizens to live in a lifestyle that most wish to live in," said Green.
"We must continue over the next four years to see this growth is within the plans that we already have in place and make sure they're updated as we grow."
Incumbent councillor candidate Rick Blair said his vision of Carstairs is as a safe, sustainable and vibrant community.
"Whether you are a young family or retiring, or want to own your own business, this is the place for you and I believe council has done that," said Blair.
Blair spoke about his previous years on council working as chair of the arena committee to design and build the new arena.
Shannon Wilcox, a candidate for councillor, said she is running because "council should reflect the voices in the community. I would like to be the representative of young families in town."
"I also believe that by adding a new voice to council I can offer new perspectives, new ideas and new solutions," said Wilcox.
Wilcox said that although growth is inevitable, "we can control how we plan for it and how we manage our resources going forward."
Incumbent councillor candidate Al Gil told residents he brings four years of experience and knowledge with the policies, priorities and strategic planning of the town.
"We're managing the directions and goals for the Town of Carstairs, present and future," said Gil. "I am passionate and dedicated to the health and fitness and welfare of the citizens of all ages."
Gil said he would work towards building a new seniors' complex, expanding the elementary school and keeping all the services residents currently enjoy.
Dean Allan, an incumbent councillor candidate, said that cooperation between council and administration is a must.
"We must work as a team," said Allan. "I think we're seeing that throughout town in how everything has been working."
Allan said he believes in fiscally responsible future expansion.
"The main part for me is communication," he said. "My office is always open. I have a lot of community members come in to chat. I feel that's very important for our citizens and council."
