Two current councillors, including controversial Chad Hoffman, are going up against Mayor Dennis Cooper in the campaign fight for the top spot on council.
Heather Klein said she made the decision to run for the mayoralty position instead of the councillor seat she's held for the last 15 years because there's been “public outcry for change.”
Hoffman, who is finishing his first tumultuous term as councillor, said he made the decision to run because he's gotten several requests from the public.
“Dennis and Heather have been on council for 12 to 15 years,” he said. “People are unhappy with the situation we're in — well, they brought us here.”
Both incumbents point to the municipal inspection review that includes recommendations for improved communications, as evidence of public unrest. The review was ordered by the province following a petition last year by Penhold resident Ken McCarthy who successfully collected the necessary number of signatures of more than 20 per cent of the population.
Hoffman himself was slammed in this report for making negative remarks about council and administration both through mainstream and social media.
He dismisses these remarks as well as others that he said have been unfairly made of him in the newspaper.
“Get the full story. … Come talk to me; I'm ready to discuss anything.”
He said he hasn't been able to accomplish much in this last term as councillor — he was barred by council votes from sitting on any committees since the October 2011 organizational meetings and was stripped of his town office key — and said running for mayor is his only chance to have a voice next term.
“We need to create a strong team for the future of Penhold and work with the strengths and weaknesses of council, not decide to exclude people altogether,” he said.
Hoffman said he wants to work on issues that are bothering residents the most: where tax dollars are being spent and increasing communication between residents, council and administration.
“The mayor needs to be in the office at least twice a week, and he needs to be out at events,” he said of his plans.
Mayor Dennis Cooper said he is always available to talk to the public and believes moving forward in the next term, he will only improve the lines of communication.
“I am always out and about and people can call and leave a message. I always call them back.”
As for the criticism surrounding the municipal review, Cooper believes the recommendations can be achieved with him at the helm.
“An inspection is a great thing,” he said, referencing his background in working in the aviation industry where he said there are inspections all the time.
“It always makes us better and stronger.”
Cooper points to his term as mayor and said there have been several directives to improve communication with the public, including informal discussions dubbed ‘coffee with council' and the open budget process council started this year.
“We have an open and transparent government and I would like to move forward on that in the new term.”
In addition to improving communication, Cooper wants to continue work on a flood mitigation plan to ensure “people's homes are protected,” work on bringing more businesses into town, continue creating programs which support the growing families in Penhold and work on keeping taxes down.
Klein is also running on a platform of planning for the future growth in Penhold but said without a proper plan, marketing and design, growth will stagnate.
“I'm not putting anyone down but we need to move forward and involve people in creating a strong, solid plan for the future.”
She said her background in the gourmet food industry will be useful in creating these plans. She said it's similar because there is always need for research, development and new ideas.
She wants to create a 10-year equipment listing so council can develop a budget for solid planning instead of “putting out fires.”
As for communication, she said it is a concern that needs to be addressed.
“The process itself, issues and complaints — how are they responded to? What is the best way to communication and the best working?”
Election day is Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Penhold Regional Multiplex Arena foyer. Advanced voting day is Oct. 16 from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Penhold Regional Library.
