With less than a week to go, Banff’s two-way mayoral race is on.
Incumbent Mayor Karen Sorensen and political hopeful Hugh Pettigrew have been campaigning hard leading into the Oct. 16 election, trying to convince residents as to why they think they are the best choice to lead the town.
There’s a few burning issues as voters head to the polls next week, including paid parking, but housing and affordability and quality of life for residents continue to be big topics, as in previous years.
Sorensen, who is seeking a third term as mayor, said the single biggest issue facing Banff is ensuring all residents have the high quality of life they deserve, noting there are several ways to get there.
She points to housing, transportation and resident parking improvements, as well as continued support for social programs and environmental programs among others. She also wants to look at increased action in town limits to protect wildlife.
“Our residents who struggle with affordability, even while our economy grows, need better options to be able to live here reasonably, raise their families and retire,” said Sorensen, who has lived in Banff for 34 years.
“Our residents should be able to go home to quieter streets with less traffic and enjoy all Banff has to offer, with their families.”
Pettigrew, who argues it’s time for change and says residents don’t feel heard on many issues from transportation and housing, said the single biggest issue for Banff is the current housing deficit.
“Housing will be a perpetual problem and needs creative solutions to eliminate this,” said Pettigrew, who has been a resident of Banff since 1982.
“This requires Parks, the Town, and the private sector to cooperate. The Town should continue negotiating with Parks Canada for any land opportunities and partnerships.”
If elected, Pettigrew said he would “reopen discussions to obtain lands where appropriate.”
He said with limited land opportunities, increased density will likely be the only option, but noted that comes with a cost.
“At what cost to our community? Housing without parking is not working,” he said.
“Perhaps we need to engage our residents through a mayor task force in order to find agreement.”
Sorensen started as a town councillor in 2004 and was acclaimed as mayor in 2010. In 2013, She got 946 votes and took 50.3 per cent of the vote, defeating challengers Jim Abelseth and Cynthia Anderson.
Sorensen said the current council has implemented solutions that are working, but they are strategies in progress.
She said the next mayor and council must continue working successfully with Parks Canada and the province of Alberta to jointly manage congestion and affordability issues.
“As mayor, I have a strong track record of success in negotiating and working with the federal and provincial governments on behalf of all Banffites,” said Sorensen.
“I am running because I want a future council to keep our community moving forward. This election is about choosing proven, credible and candid leadership to implement the vision of a high quality of life for all residents.”
Meanwhile, there will be no shortage of names on the ballot for voters to choose from in Monday’s municipal election. In addition to the two mayoral candidates, there are 16 people seeking a councillors’ seat.
Five incumbent councillors and 11 fresh faces are vying for six council seats.
