If there is a common consensus among Sundre's newly elected council, hitting the ground running and getting to work on the issues raised during the campaign seems to be the focus.
"If we're busy fighting with each other, nothing's going to get done," said Coun. Todd Dalke, one of four new faces joining incumbents Cheri Funke, Paul Isaac and mayor Terry Leslie.
As a new councillor, the married father of two and business owner said he is excited to learn the ropes and establish routines. He also expressed gratitude for the show of support from voters and said being elected is "a very high honour."
Also joining Dalke as new members of council are Charlene Preston, Richard Warnock and Rob Wolfe.
"I'm thrilled with having the honour to represent Sundre and its citizens. I didn't know what to expect because I am fairly new to the community," said Preston.
A Sundre resident of only three years, she expected an uphill battle and was prepared for the challenge.
"It's always a daunting thing to let your name stand. For those of us who were successful, I can't wait to work with them."
Her job as constituency assistant to MLA Jason Nixon will also provide valuable insight, she said.
"I'm very familiar with what the job entails from a policy aspect, so I'm actually excited to get into it."
She also nodded to the respectable efforts of unsuccessful candidates Sean Davis and Pat Toone, who Preston encourages to stay vocal and involved.
"I hope they remain part of the discussions and conversations that continue to happen in this town."
Warnock said he is happy to have been elected, and that he looks forward to four years of council cooperation and collaboration with the municipality's administration to move Sundre forward along a prosperous path.
There will be plenty of issues to tackle in the coming years and he said all of the municipality's problems are not going to be solved overnight. What matters is getting the ball rolling. There is no magic wand, he said, and goals are only achieved through hard work.
Additionally, he wants to help build upon and improve what has often been described as a strained relationship between the Town of Sundre and Mountain View County.
"There's protectionism on both sides I believe. I'm hoping we can get that relationship to work out."
Wolfe, who calls himself "a man of few words," said his main priority at this point is to keep his ears and eyes open as the new council embarks on its mission to develop plans in accordance with the issues and concerns discussed during the election forums.
Isaac said he was not only honoured but also humbled to be re-elected for another four-year term.
"I do appreciate (voters) have put a lot of trust and faith in me," he said.
Among his chief priorities are to work with council to improve the municipality's efforts in communicating accurately with the community to stem the flow of misinformation that tends to spread on social media.
As elected officials, he said council must be more proactive in conveying accurate information as quickly as possible so residents are not second guessing why decisions are made.
There also needs to a concerted effort to improve communications with neighbouring municipalities, especially Mountain View County, he said, adding the updated Municipal Government Act will mandate having in place an inter-municipal collaborative framework.
"I'm looking forward to seeing how both sides will be more amicable to make that happen."
Funke, who garnered the most votes, said she was humbled by the wave of support that carried her back to council's table, and the incumbent councillor is grateful to everyone who took the time to vote.
"In the next few weeks, council will be taking a look at all of the issues and comments that arose during the election, and we will form the vision and strategic priorities of council," she said, adding her intent is to continue using social media to convey as much information and respond to as many questions raised by residents and businesses as possible.
She also looks forward to working with Mountain View County on developing a more collaborative and symbiotic partnership.
"I am determined that we can work toward agreements that benefit both communities."
Toone, who does not intend to run again in four years, expressed appreciation for the support she received and was also glad to see a higher-than-usual turnout.
Davis, who plans to "absolutely" run in Sundre's next municipal election, was encouraged by the largely positive and polite tone of the election campaign and was also grateful to everyone who voted for him.
"It was a very close race and I wish the new council good luck," he said, adding he plans to remain a vocal advocate for the municipality's east side, "which is where I focused my campaign. I'm hoping things do turn around in this town."
The new council, which was sworn in during last night's organizational meeting, has its share of work and will likely require a grace period to get oriented, said Dalke.
"I hope the community gives the new council time to settle in and find their bearings so they can be effective," he said.
