Each time an election rolls around here in the valley, the Outlook urges citizens to get out there, take in a candidates’ forum or two, read campaign literature, discuss issues near to your heart when hopefuls knock on your door and, finally, make an informed decision when you step into a voting booth.
After all, it’s at the local level where you get the most bang for your buck. The political picture is smaller than in provincial or federal elections; the issues are more likely to closely reflect your issues, decisions made by your politicians will have more impact right in your backyard and, if it comes down to it, you may more directly feel the pinch of taxation decisions in your wallet.
One thing there shouldn’t be is a shortage of discussion at forums, or around the dinner table in regard to the Oct. 21 election, are issues.
In Banff, the next mayor and council will have to make important decisions on housing, transportation and recreation in a town that has nowhere to grow, but is under a national microscope of interest at all times.
Already, slowpitch players aren’t happy with a draft recreation facilities plan that calls for changes at the Banff Rec Grounds. Those changes include fencing removal to make recreation space more accommodating to a range of interests.
Further public input is being gathered on the issue prior to a Nov. 12 council meeting and whatever municipal body is in place at the time.
Yet to be heard in regard to recreation, we gather, is word on the notorious “Black Death” at the Rec Grounds. For those not in the know, this refers to the cinder track that circles the rugby/soccer field which sees much use in summer months.
The idea of a Bow Valley Soccer League or Calgary Rugby Union (Banff Bears) player sliding off the turf and into the cinders may not seem like a major ordeal – unless you witness an elbow, knee or calf opened up and full of black cinders that must be picked out.
In the case of rugby union players from a number of southern Alberta locales, the Black Death is a blight on the town’s facilities.
Then there will be discussion on paid parking, the easing of traffic congestion and addressing housing shortages – all will make for lively debate.
In Canmore and the MD of Bighorn, flood issues are bound to go on, and on, and on… A $14 million short-term plan is going ahead to make Cougar Creek a safer waterway – many more millions will need to be spent in future to ensure flood events don’t become a feature. How those dollars are spent will be up to the next council.
Other mountain creeks in the valley will need their share of funds directed into them to create less harmful features in future.
Incumbents and candidate hopefuls will have to be prepared to not only debate, discuss and decide on all these issues, everyone running in the upcoming election had best be prepared to answer questions on these topics and many more to be successful.
As always, we remind voters early on to get out and vote on Oct. 21. If you don’t vote, you don’t have much right to complain as you didn’t take the simple step of marking an X to make a difference.
