PENHOLD – It was more than 16 years ago when Kathy Sitter was working at the Fast Gas in town and talking with a friend who suggested she run for town council.
Sitter knew nothing about it at the time and shrugged off the suggestion.
But it was only a short time later – after a bit of research attending council meetings and listening to the goings-on in the town that she thought, “this could be a good fit.”
Fast-forward nearly two decades and it's safe to say her intuition was spot on – Sitter, 61, is seeking her fifth consecutive term as a Penhold councillor.
One of her goals four terms ago was to help the town grow and develop. When she won the election her first term, the town was less than 1,000 people. Now it's at 3,200, with a median age of 32.
“I love how it is growing,” said Sitter. “It is growing by design, not by default – we really plan when we look at how we develop.”
Sitter has been in Penhold with her family for 22 years; though she loves that more people are getting involved with the community, she believes she has lots to offer as councillor, having seen how the town has progressed over the course of two decades.
“I have experience and passion for the community,” said Sitter. “I just want what is best for the town.”
And what Sitter wants is a community-oriented town that is safe and fun to live in.
With the town seeing a steady influx of young families deciding to call Penhold home, Sitter wants new neighbourhoods to consider building homes with front porches, something she believes will help create a safe and friendly environment.
“You get to know your neighbours and it is a really great way to be a safe neighbourhood,” she said, adding it's important for town residents to work together with the RCMP to prevent crime.
Sitter is also an avid golfer and has a passion for green space, parks and trails; it is one of her missions to bring more parks to Penhold. Along with others, she's working on bringing a children-oriented, all-inclusive park – Critter's Corner – to the town by 2018, so young kids and children with disabilities have a safe place to go and play.
She's also keen on commercial development; while she recognizes the town many never have big box stores like Costco with Red Deer so close, she knows it's important to generate revenue within the town and plans on seeing the 80 acres by the multiplex developed sooner rather than later.
Along with increasing communication channels between town administration and residents, bringing in an organic, green bin program, finding a space for a larger public works office and having more involvement with seniors, Sitter is hopeful the following term will bring progress and development to a family-oriented community.
Regardless of the outcome, this is Sitter's last bid for town council. She's had her hand in many aspects of town development over the years, and while she would love to win – she wouldn't be running if she didn't – she's happy with the work she's put in thus far. But she's still thinking ahead.
“I'm constantly looking to the future,” said Sitter. “I'm looking 20, 30 years out; we have to plan for our future children.”
Kathy Sitter, Penhold town councillor
"I have experience and passion for the community."
