Sundre more than a retirement community Sundre has plenty of potential for growth, and Charlene Preston aspires to be part of the local leadership that helps to steer the municipality towards prosperity.
Sundre more than a retirement community
Sundre has plenty of potential for growth, and Charlene Preston aspires to be part of the local leadership that helps to steer the municipality towards prosperity.
"My vision for Sundre is to create a town that sees growth. Growth in business, growth in population and growth in people who are satisfied and happy to be living here," she told the Round Up.
"I would like this to be a town that young people are coming back to, that families are choosing to raise their kids in, that seniors are comfortable staying in, and that we have the amenities to serve all of those groups."
Confessing a love of politics and policy, her experience working for MLA Jason Nixon in the local constituency office has built up a knowledgeable repertoire in the different levels of politics.
"I feel like I can bring a perspective to council that is fresh and new, for I am not tied to what has happened in the past and I have an 'outside the box' way of thinking."
If elected, she looks forward to serving the citizens of Sundre.
"The position on council is something that I take very serious. I can promise you that I will actively participate in events, in conversation and in moulding the future of this town."
Tomorrow's plans depend on solid foundation today
Planning for the future requires first and foremost establishing a solid foundation today, said Cheri Funke.
"We can't worry about 20 years from now" if basic infrastructure is falling behind today, she told the Round Up.
"I'm more of a 'right here, right now' kind of person. We need to make sure we have a stable foundation."
That includes reviewing and creating bylaws that guide the municipality all the way to making sure pipes are in the ground. She agrees with the need to diversify the economy through new development, but said such growth depends largely on a solid planning framework.
Having finished two years on council after being voted in following a byelection, Funke said she's not yet done, and remains committed to helping the community build a strong foundation for the future.
"I feel that we've taken great steps in this last term. I want to continue with the work that we're doing."
Always seeking to expand her knowledge of municipal governance, Funke has invested her efforts in further educating herself over the past two years, and said she feels "ready to do four more years."
Being receptive to concerns expressed by residents is important for all members of council, who she said are responsible for voicing the opinions of taxpayers.
"Coming in with an open mind is what I strive to do."
Infrastructure a key priority
A former Sundre councillor decided to run once again to pick up on plans she feels should by now have become a reality.
"There was some things that I thought should be happening in the future when I left four years ago," Pat Toone told the Round Up, citing as a couple of examples the crumbling road leading to the municipal office and a lack of sidewalk access to Tim Hortons.
"We know we have old infrastructure — I really want to make that a priority."
Some of these projects have already been outlined in the existing five-year capital budget, but she wants to see those plans pursued more aggressively now that the municipality has new technological tools to investigate which underground services most require repairs or replacement. There are some funds in reserves, so the municipality needs to move on some of those projects sooner rather than later, she said.
While having experienced members of council at the table is beneficial, it's also important to ensure there are new people to provide different perspectives, she said, adding that it's good to have a balance in demographics and that she's glad to see so many candidates step up.
Although Sundre has not grown by leaps and bounds, the town has nevertheless fared rather well considering the struggling oil and gas industry, she said.
"We've always had growth. We've always looked at ideas on how to increase growth. But when you increase growth, you also have to have the infrastructure to accommodate that."
New council faces serious decisions
Having completed two terms on council, Paul Isaac remains committed to continue serving the community.
With the impending major changes in the Municipal Government Act that will outline and emphasize enhanced and improved inter-municipal collaboration among neighbouring communities to ensure provincial funding, he said, "Now is not the time to step aside just yet."
The new council will undoubtedly benefit from having at the table experienced past members who have a better understanding of the local history in order to prepare for the future, he said.
Neighbours such as Mountain View County are crucial to any future growth and success, and the candidate said there is too much at stake not to remain involved.
"I want to help out."
Sundre must continue to consider ways to increase the municipality's commercial tax base not only to reduce dependency on residential taxation but also to create more job opportunities. Progress has been made, he said, but there certainly remains room for improvement.
Moving the municipality forward, the new council will face some serious decisions.
"There's a lot of things on the table right now," he said, citing issues such as the need to improve the relationship with Mountain View County, developing broadband Internet in one form or another, and upgrading aging infrastructure including the sewage lagoon.
Municipality must improve communication
More must be done to alleviate any animosity between the Town of Sundre and Mountain View County as well as to improve transparency all around.
"We need more communication and negotiations with the town council, the citizens of Sundre and the county of Mountain View," Richard Warnock told the Round Up.
In many of his conversations with members of the public and former elected officials, Warnock said he hears expressed concerns about the at-times rocky relationship between the two municipalities.
While his platform includes common issues such as finding ways to encourage growth in businesses, tourism and culture, improving the lines of communication with the county is a top priority for the candidate.
"We're lacking there. Maybe we need better negotiations. I do believe that is necessary," he said, adding the goal is to work together for a healthy and vibrant community.
Historically becoming involved in a volunteer capacity in the communities he's lived in as well as the businesses he's worked with, Warnock decided following his move to Sundre to become a sitting member of the Municipal Planning Commission, which he joined last October.
"I've always given back," he said, adding that he found time to volunteer even when he used to work 60-hour weeks in the transportation business.
"I live in the community and I want to give back."
Broadband will attract business
Quality infrastructure such as streets and sewers are important to draw in new business, but so is connecting the community to broadband Internet.
"My vision is to see the town grow, as everybody would like to see," said Rob Wolfe, who after considering running for council in the past decided this time to present himself as a candidate.
Staying on top of maintaining the likes of roads and sewers is an important part of future progress, but modern digital communication infrastructure is also crucial to achieve success, and he said he wants to carefully consider the options to deploy broadband fibre optic Internet in Sundre, including the possibility of a revenue generating, municipally-owned system.
"We need to have those discussions and look at the details for a decision."
Planning for growth should also include ways to develop recreational opportunities that cater to everyone, including families and youth. There used to be a local bowling alley and movie theatre, and it "would be nice to have something like that to cater to all ages."
No stranger to volunteering in a variety of programs and sporting events, Wolfe decided he wanted to contribute in a new way.
"I feel it's time to give back to the community and be part of the decision making process."
"Design for play, engineered to last"
A desire to maintain Sundre's heritage played an important role in motivating Sean Davis to run for council.
"My commitment to preserve the heritage of Sundre and surrounding community is what motivates me to seek election on the next council," he told the Round Up.
The candidate said he was also inspired to run by residents and visitors who need to see improvements in the municipality's infrastructure and tourism sector, and he expressed confidence in providing a positive contribution to the local decision making process.
"My involvement within the community also gives me the courage to see Sundre transform into a booming, exciting place to live, work, raise a family and retire. Positive planning for prosperity, leisure and tourism, arts and culture, youth and wisdom are my core ideals."
Born and raised in Sundre, Davis has education and experience in development as well as facilities management, and he aspires to pursue a platform that seeks to ensure future plans are designed for play and engineered to last.
"It's time for this community to play again."
He said his core ideals are to plan for growth, leisure and tourism, arts and culture, as well as youth and wisdom.
"These are essential in building a stronger community over the next four years."
Affordable housing will help Sundre flourish
Planning for Sundre's future success needs to take into consideration affordable housing developments to entice young families to settle in the municipality.
Local husband, father and business owner Todd Dalke told the Round Up he fell in love with the community before even getting a chance to finish settling in.
"I want to make sure my kids want to live here too. As they grow up, one of the most important things is to have them want to be part of the community."
Aspiring to become involved in the local decision making process, the candidate hopes to help create comprehensive long-term plans that can be put into action to help grow the community.
"I'm driven by the desire to see this community flourish and to be the best it can be."
Achieving that goal will also require improved communications and relations with neighbouring municipalities, and Dalke said if given the chance he intends to strive to work with Mountain View County in a symbiotic way.
"The elected council must be transparent in communication and consultations with the public," he added.
"We must also conduct ourselves with the highest level of integrity."
If elected, the candidate said he would be receptive to concerns and ideas brought forward by the public to share and discuss with council colleagues.
"Our actions must be based on the needs and wants of the people in the community, but also have to be fiscally responsible to move forward."
