The three candidates running for the mayor's seat in Olds squared off on Oct. 7 at the Pomeroy Inn and Suites in the only public forum of the 2013 municipal election.
The three candidates running for the mayor's seat in Olds squared off on Oct. 7 at the Pomeroy Inn and Suites in the only public forum of the 2013 municipal election.
Before a crowd of nearly 200 people, Art Baker, Judy Dahl and Shirley Schultz outlined how they plan to work with town council over the next four years. They also took questions from the people in attendance at the forum, which was moderated by Jordan Cleland, Olds College's vice-president of advancement, before telling the crowd why they believed the public should cast their votes for them on Oct. 21.
Baker said he had a problem with the Town of Olds backing O-NET, the town's community-owned fibre-to-the-premises service, with a loan guarantee, adding such a guarantee was a mistake for taxpayers.
"If O-NET should fail, Olds taxpayers will be on the hook for a debt exceeding ($6 million). When I take office as your mayor, my policy will be one of restraint. It will be time to tighten the belt. Please be sure that your concerns will always be heard," he said.
"My one burning issue is O-NET," Baker said in response to a question from the floor. "I think we need to jump up and down because we didn't have that referendum. Bigger issues like this I would really like to see you the people involved, not just the (town) staff."
Baker also said citizens expect a local government that is accountable. He said the current council is not being accountable, especially in allowing administration to create positions out of "thin air," referring to a new position for former town operational services director Larry Wright.
He also emphasized teamwork, with residents playing a key role.
"I want your ideas with your input. It's all about you. I value your support," he said.
Baker said he would institute referenda on important questions the town faces, such as the changing of the town's logo.
Incumbent mayor Judy Dahl said she believes in building consensus throughout the community to make it better.
"I am passionate about community purpose, shared values to create new solutions. Let us listen to one another and work toward a shared goal that (benefits) the community as a whole," she said.
Dahl said as mayor, she will work collaboratively with the council to reach the best decisions for the community.
Shirley Schultz said she wants to bring her 35 years of business experience to help council as a whole to make the best decisions for the community.
"I bring to you down to earth thinking, common sense and helping out with all the big decisions," she said.
Shultz said she would like to see a ring road around the community to ease the congestion on Highway 27, as well as traffic improvements in the uptown core.
"If we work together, we will have a very good community," she said.
In response to a question from the floor about other traffic improvements aside from Highway 27, Schultz said she would work with the provincial government to help the municipality with necessary improvements.
Dahl said there is ongoing communication with Alberta Transportation on that issue, but because the town isn't getting the responses it would like to see, it may have to go ahead with signage and other improvements on its own.
Baker said if the situation gets any worse, the town should go to a referendum on the issue. He said there should be a traffic light near Olds High School to allow for better movement of traffic and pedestrians.
In response to a question about social media, Dahl said the town has a clear policy on social media and there are clear rules about what information town officials can and can't provide.
"Once you sign that oath, you are pretty sworn to the laws and regulations … especially since we make those policies, so we do have great standards for Twitter and Facebook and for all the social media. Staff and council all abide equally (with the standards)," she said.
Baker said the town has a good website and that social media is an important tool, especially for younger people.
Schultz said she believes in meeting people face-to-face to talk about issues.
In a question regarding the $6 million loan that the town has guaranteed for O-NET, Dahl said she has full confidence in O-NET.
"We do not believe it will fail and we today are standing behind that. (Fibre optic service) does bring people to the community and keep money in your community," she said.
Baker said while fibre optic service is a good technology, wireless may be overtaking it. Because it was such a big expense, a referendum should have been done on the loan guarantee to O-NET.
"We really needed that referendum for this. It is a really big expense," he said.
When asked how he would pay for all these referenda, and if he knew how much a referendum costs, Baker said the town would ultimately be responsible for covering the costs of any plebiscite.
Regarding potential development near the corner of Highway 2A and Highway 27, Judy Dahl said she supports anything that helps drive investment near Olds.
"We want the beautification of that highway … and want to bring people to our community. That is what we're working and striving to do," she said.
Baker said he thinks the proposed plan for the intersection is good but he would want town officials to review it.
Schultz, too, said while growth is good, she would want town officials to review it.
"It's good to have growth, but growth in the right way," she said.
Dahl said while she doesn't have one burning issue, she thinks smart design to manage growth is critical.
Schultz said the one issue she is most concerned about is the potential of the town to enter into an agreement with Mountain View County to provide water and sewer services to the development at Highway 2 and Highway 27. She said more information is needed on this issue.
She would like to see more communication from council to the public, as people are limited to five minutes before council to discuss issues of concern, she said.
Dahl said the policies and priorities committee meetings have given people that opportunity to speak to council and she believes it's a good vehicle for communication.
"It has grown huge miles since we started that. We probably have over three quarters of our boards, committees and organizations in this Town of Olds that have come to our (meetings). The door is open … for you to come sit with us at any time at that meeting," she said.
In closing remarks, Dahl said she wants to serve four more years as mayor.
"I ask your permission to be the heart, the hands, the voice to lead our healthy, flourishing community into the future. Every stumbling block becomes a stepping stone," Dahl said.
Baker said he looks forward to meeting with people before election day to discuss issues that they think are important.
"I need you to understand that challenges are just problems," he said.
Schultz said she looks forward to serving as one member of a larger team on council, keeping a watch on how public money is spent.
"Our (chief administrative officer) will guide us through growing pains to ensure that we accomplish good government for this municipality," she said.
Olds goes to the polls on Oct. 21 to choose who will sit in the mayor's seat for the next four years.
Advanced polls for Olds take place in council chambers at Town Hall on Oct. 11 from 1 to 4 p.m. and on Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Polling stations on election day, Oct. 21, will be set up at the Olds Royal Canadian Legion at 5241 46 St. from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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