DIDSBURY - Twenty-two of the 23 candidates seeking spots on Didsbury town council outlined their respective platforms and took questions from audience members at the Oct. 4 candidates forum in the multi-purpose room at the recreation complex.
All five mayor candidates and 16 of 17 councillor candidates were in attendance with only councillor candidate Mike Caughey not present.
About 300 people attended and heard two-minute opening statements from each candidate followed by approximately an hour of questions from the audience through moderator Margo Ward.
The forum was organized by the Didsbury and District Chamber of Commerce. It ended with one-minute closing remarks from each candidate.
The five mayoralty candidates in attendance were incumbent mayor Rick Mousseau and challengers Joyce McCoy, Norm Quantz, Rhonda Hunter and Keegon McPherson.
ï Joyce McCoy, an incumbent councillor running for mayor, spoke about her vision of working together with "the people to make Didsbury the leading community in the region for quality of life and sensible economic development."
"Sustainable growth will come from making Didsbury an attractive place for people to live, work and be part of a community," said McCoy. "From there, attracting more businesses to serve the population, and businesses locating here as they see a place where their employees want to live."
ï Challenger Norm Quantz talked about the importance of operating the town at a reduced debt load.
"We need to pace and prioritize our spending better," said Quantz. "This includes the unpopular but important replacement of the old collapsing sewer clay pipes in the old part of town before we pave."
Quantz also spoke of the importance of economic growth, increased tourism and providing strong government for a safe and viable community.
ï Challenger Rhonda Hunter said she wants to work with and for the people.
"I will bring a fresh and refreshing approach as Didsbury's mayor," said Hunter. "I will offer a new energy to this position."
Hunter said as mayor she would plan for council to have regular tours of the town, the streets and buildings, to get a sense of the entire community and the needs and strengths.
"I am prepared and committed to tackle the issues with research and resolutions, with a realistic, attainable and ambitious plan," she said.
ï Challenger Keegon McPherson said his biggest focus in the election and the upcoming months is to improve the local economy.
"To bring industry and jobs to this town," said McPherson. "To bring jobs to Didsburians in Didsbury."
In his concluding remarks, McPherson reminded his fellow candidates that, "I hope you remember these voters are our boss and we need to listen to every word they say."
ï Incumbent mayor Mousseau said he has served on council for 10 years and served the community for many more years in different ways.
"Throughout the evening I will try and keep my responses short but as detailed as possible," said Mousseau, "as transparency is key."
Mousseau said that the coming years will be challenging, "but I believe they will also be some of the greatest this town has ever seen."
COUNCILLOR CANDIDATES
Sixteen of 17 councillor candidates were in attendance. Of the councillor candidates, five are incumbents seeking re-election, while the rest are challengers, some with previous council experience.
ï Incumbent councillor Gail Nowlan talked about her 10 years' experience on council and how her passion for Didsbury has grown over time.
"I want to be here working with and for you," said Nowlan. "I am invested, experienced, authentic and committed to excellence."
Nowlan said that the key to being successful on council is communication, diversity and being willing to work together.
ï Challenger Bob Davidson said his top concerns include infrastructure and having a strong staff and paying them fairly.
"We need better control of the initial installation - do it right the first time!" said Davidson. "We need systematic repair and replacement of existing systems after correcting the problems that led to their failure.
"We need to plan for the future. Much of our existing infrastructure will not be adequate for future expansion, and some is already inadequate."
ï Challenger Mel Crothers talked about his experience with Prairies to Peaks Tourism as well as with the Mountain View County economic development committee and the town's municipal planning commission.
"Prudent management of all expenses coupled with a focus on careful growth will allow the town to improve its balance sheet," said Crothers. "The town is not fixed yet, but with careful management it can be fixed. I can make a difference and want my town to thrive."
ï Challenger Curt Engel said he is a problem solver having spent most of his life managing both people and assets.
"My role, increase revenue, drive return on investment and increase profits, combine these three and it causes growth," said Engel. "Growth creates job opportunities. As we look to the future, facing these issues, we need forward thinking. Didsbury needs to be known as the community that encourages business development, not one that frustrates it."
ï Challenger John Baswick said that the two primary obligations of any government are the safety of the residents and their property, and the protection and management of tax dollars.
"Moving forward we must review and curtail many extraneous expenses," said Baswick. "(We must) address any regulations that retard business growth. Budgets have to be seriously addressed and updated. The status quo is not acceptable any more."
ï Incumbent councillor Kim Moore said that being transparent and keeping residents informed is important to her.
"With me having such a public job I can ask the residents what they want and even have them informing me on what they would like," said Moore. "I am elected by the residents to work for them not for my own gain or a paycheque."
Moore also talked about how important it is to support small businesses in town by shopping locally.
ï Incumbent councillor Sheila Schulz said her reasons for running are almost the same as four years ago when she was first elected.
"I aim to serve Didsbury in the best way I can," said Schulz, "and I want our town to be the best we can make it, to have the best future we can create, together. I have even more to offer you, now, after four years of learning more than I could have imagined about municipal politics."
Schulz said there are many issues that need attention, not one specific issue.
"I look at the big picture, at what is best for Didsbury and make the best decisions based on the best information I can get," she said.
ï Challenger Erhard Poggemiller talked about how he spent 12 years as mayor in Kerrobert, Sask.
"I would like to use my farming, small business and municipal governance experience to contribute to our new community," said Poggemiller. "In the time we've been here, my wife and I have realized that there are opportunities for this community to develop.
"Fostering an attractive climate for businesses and families to grow and be supported is one of my priorities."
ï Challenger Dorothy Moore told the audience that she has the experience and expertise as a former mayor of Didsbury.
"No candidate can promise what they will accomplish because council as a whole makes the decisions," said Moore. "I can promise that I continue to stand for and promote the best possible value for taxpayers, community consultation, fiscal responsibility and balanced development in challenging economic times.
"I am ready to work on the issues you want me to work on - taxes, debt, economic development, planning, public participation and advocacy to other levels of government."
ï Challenger Bill Windsor talked about his experience as a volunteer in the community with various groups and organizations.
"I attend council meetings, town open houses and most events taking place in Didsbury," said Windsor. "I believe we need to identify and address all deficiencies in our streets and sidewalks. I believe council and the town need to quit trying to be something they're not.
"Stay out of competing with the private sector and concentrate on the job of being a municipal government."
Windsor also spoke of wanting higher standards for residential development and ensuring that there is adequate green space.
ï Incumbent councillor LaVar Adams said he sees Didsbury as a team made up of its residents, council and administration working together.
"Together we can work to be more fiscally responsible by prioritizing projects and differentiating between wants and needs," said Adams.
Adams said his other priorities include having more effective communication and "being positive in thoughts and action in bringing forward new ideas to move Didsbury forward."
ï Challenger Dany Piepgrass stated that her goal will be to grow the town by "making sure we have responsible spending, reducing our debt, making sure our infrastructure is in good repair and capable of future growth."
"In order to grow our town we need to maintain and upgrade our infrastructure," said Peipgrass. "Sidewalks and roadways need to be added and maintained. We need to promote our town and everything it has to offer."
ï Challenger Wil Helkenberg told the audience that he has served in the military and two terms on council in a town in Saskatchewan.
"I will respect the office of council and carry out the duties as required," said Helkenberg. "As councillors we all want balanced budgets, debt control, taxes maintained, infrastructure maintenance and upgrading. I will work with the mayor and councillors on these issues."
Helkenberg said he believes volunteers are the backbone of any community and he would work to honour and support them as much as possible.
ïIncumbent councillor Garth Hollinger said that he has called Didsbury home for many years and he sees it as the ëperfect' town.
"I have greatly enjoyed serving my community and look forward to continuing with your support," said Hollinger. "I'm enthusiastic about everything Didsbury is and everything Didsbury can be. I have a great challenge and a great opportunity.
"With your help we will lead and may they be the best years in Didsbury's history."
ï Challenger Deborah Patton talked about having four main areas of focus: children, youth, young adults and young families.
"These age groups are in great need of affordable housing, jobs and recreational amenities and programs such as, but not limited to, a skateboard park and spray park," said Patton.
Another area of focus Patton spoke about was tourism and the arts.
"We have a large and talented community of artistic diversity which could easily be utilized as a foundation for a strong tourism industry," she said.
ï Challenger Pat Rowden told the audience he was quite impressed with the speakers before him. Rowden talked about his experience dealing with "a broken mental health system."
"I'm a firm believer that education needs to be completely overhauled as well," said Rowden.
Voting goes Oct. 16 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Didsbury Memorial Complex, at 1702 - 21 Ave.
