A record number of council candidates are vying for a seat on Banff council in next month’s municipal election – and there’s a two-way mayoral race between incumbent Karen Sorensen and political hopeful Hugh Pettigrew for Banff’s top job.
Eighteen residents handed in official nomination papers on Monday (Sept. 18) – 16 for council and two for mayor. The only surprise nomination was Peter Poole, a prominent developer and conservationist, who filed his papers minutes before the noon deadline.
Incumbents Chip Olver, Grant Canning, Corrie DiManno, Brian Standish and Ted Christensen are running in the Oct. 16 election.
Stavros Karlos announced earlier he is stepping away from political life after 10 years.
Newcomers include Rob Lillington, Chris Wong, Barry Ferguson, Jon Whelan, Tony Bumbaco, Allan Buckingham, Dave Dickson, Doug Macnamara and Wade Rettie. Lorraine Harder is the only new female face.
Mayor Sorensen, who had a career in the hotel hospitality industry before going into local politics, said it’s good to see so many people putting their names forward, noting she believes it’s a trend across the province.
“The previous council has been doing a lot of interesting and exciting work and I think we’re seeing interest from people interested in serving and helping to move Banff forward,” she said.
Mayoral hopeful Hugh Pettigrew, however, believes the large slate of candidates has more to do with residents wanting change and not being happy with the direction of this past council.
He said there have been several issues in which residents feel council did not listen.
Specifically, Pettigrew pointed to a council decision to put controversial policy C-122 into bylaw 380 – a law that allows for fewer parking spots in apartment buildings to make it more affordable to developers.
When the development appeal board essentially quashed policy C-122, many residents lost trust in council, accusing the municipality of taking an end-run around C-122, he said.
“Obviously, the number of candidates speaks about change,” said Pettigrew.
“There have been a number of issues and we will have a new council coming in.”
Sorensen, a 30-plus year resident of Banff, said quality of life for Banff residents is what is most important to her, noting she wants to build on existing programs to help residents with the challenges of affordability in Banff.
“I remain committed to housing as a priority to assure Banff has a robust range of housing options; so that every Banffite can find a place to call home,” she said.
Sorensen said it is important to continue to enhance proven solutions to encourage public transit use to reduce vehicular traffic and in doing so, improve traffic flow.
“Residential parking passes are a tool to consider to assure our neighborhoods and residential streets are available to those that live there,” she said.
Economic prosperity is a crucial element of a successful community, added Sorensen.
“Advocating for sustainable tourism keeps our residents employed, our schools full and our community thriving,” she said.
Pettigrew has been a resident of Banff since 1982. He has 35 years of experience working in the public and private sector, including municipal engineering and public works.
Pettigrew said people are telling him the main election topics and issues include fiscal responsibility, council integrity and a lack of public consultation, housing, parking and Banff’s sense of community.
He said he supports a high quality of life for the community and a quality experience for our visitors.
“I am running for mayor because I see the need for change and that Banff needs a new leader,” he said.
“My goal is to ensure that Banff has a strong fiscal government that is sustainable, supports our local economy and respects the environment.”
