The clock is ticking on the municipal election, and City of Cold Lake candidates are feeling the heat.
On Wednesday, Oct. 4, residents had the opportunity to learn a little bit more about their candidates running for city council during an open forum at the Lakeland Inn.
Nine candidates started the forum with opening statements, sharing who they are and what they stand for.
Bob Buckle described the event as “a job interview,” encouraging residents to keep that in mind as they listen to answers provided throughout the forum.
As a three-term councillor, he is hoping his experience with ID 349, keeping taxes low, and his work with the commercial airline service, will guarantee him a spot at the council table.
Incumbent Chris Vining is also hoping his multi-term familiarity will play a roll when residents head to the polls.
“I think we've made this city a destination for young families,” he said. “The future is bright for our city. I want to see us continue to be that destination for families, not just a place that they pass through.”
Vicky Lefebvre, who served two-prior terms, agreed with her incumbents.
She would like to continue work on finalizing the ID 349 funding, doctor recruitment and retention, and continuing to make Cold Lake a “great place for families,” through economic growth and tourism.
Candidates who are new to the municipal government world had similar platforms. Crime, the ID 349 funding, infrastructure, and creating a vibrant community that will draw not only families, but also businesses to the area, were some of their top priorities.
Candidate Larry Ashcroft agreed that economic growth was important, but focused on continuing to expand infrastructure within the community all while keeping an eye on fiscal responsibility.
“Our infrastructure is so important, because that will allow for future growth and expansion,” he said. “I'm not going to promise to spend a lot of your money, that's not what it's all about. My platform is more fiscal responsibility. We need to continue with infrastructure, but we need to be fiscally responsible.”
Using a three-prong strategy, Buckle believes he has a solution to supporting long-lasting growth of the city.
He would like to maintain the ID 349 funding, which was described by candidates as “essential” to the continued growth of Cold Lake.
Lorie Jacobsen said, “I think our most important thing right now is holding onto that range money.”
The candidate believes the province should honour their original agreement with Cold Lake, because without the funding, “we aren't going to be able to continue to grow our community the way we want.”
Most candidates agreed that the ID 349 was necessary, but Chris Hiebert wanted to change the focus of conversation.
His sights are set on regional cooperation.
“There is a long-documented history of all of the issues between Bonnyville, Cold Lake, the MD… I think it's a shame. I think we need to work on being a strong region together.”
Hiebert believes communities need to build facilities that benefit the entire region, not just their own, and work together for the betterment of the Lakeland.
Expanding post-secondary education, providing affordable housing, and comfortable places for seniors to live are near and dear to Vining.
“We want Cold Lake to be the place where people come, stay, live, and not just the place that people pass through,” he expressed. “We need to be the home right from cradle to grave.”
Candidate Kirk Soroka agreed, the city should focus on making the area a place where families want to work, live, and play.
His method of accomplishing that is by improving tourism, continuing the marina expansion, more fine-dining options, and work on the commercial airline project, among others.
With recreation, growth, and facilities on the table, Murray Gauthier wanted to put in his two-cents.
“We need to upgrade and update our city facilities that are 30, 40, or even 50-years-old…. We have grown and these facilities haven't.”
Jacobsen stressed the importance of social services, and made it clear that was a key component to her platform.
“I'm a strong advocate on making sure that we have strong social services. We don't want to see homeless on the corners anymore. We want to see them in housing and getting the support that they need,” she said.
The ID 349 funding was a common top political issue amongst candidates, however Gauthier believed crime prevention should also be at the top of the list.
“I hope to bring this issue to the forefront and work with our local RCMP as well as the other communities in the area,” he said.
He would focus on bringing a community crime watch program to Cold Lake, while working with police to ensure they are more visible throughout the city.
“This is not going to be an overnight fix, but if we all work together, I think we can come up with ways to fix it. We need to get them out of our city to make it safe again,” expressed Gauthier.
With emergency services fresh in candidates' minds, Vining said he would also like to discuss the city's ambulance agreement with Alberta Health Services, (AHS) and see if they can come up with a better solution to what they have now with AHS.
Jurgen Grau has a strong focus on improving tourism in the area. He believes Kinosoo Ridge could become an all-season facility that would draw tourists from across the province.
Soroka and Buckle both stressed that without the ID 349 funding, everything stops.
“That is by-far the most important function the next council is going to do. Everything is tagged to that,” Buckle said.
Policing, facilities, growth, they are all connected to the funding, he added.
“If you don't secure that funding, everything else is a pipe-dream.”
One resident expressed their concern that by working for the MD of Bonnyville as the manager of Kinosoo Ridge, Grau may be at a conflict of interest, but he was quick to put those rumors to rest.
“If there is conflict, it will be my responsibility to stand aside, and I will,” he said. “The wellbeing of the city is my main concern.”
In closing remarks, candidates reminded residents about the importance of voting, with Lefebvre taking a moment to recognize a name that may not be at the forum, but will be on the ballot.
Duane Lay, incumbent, was away during the time of the forum, but will be one of 10-names residents will see on their ballot at the polls.
“Take what you see tonight, take our comments back to your friends and family and speak about it. Help them be more informed before they vote, and encourage them to vote,” Soroka said.
