After a frantic and in some cases surprising municipal election, it's time for all the new councils to get to work. All the great speeches and votes in the world are now behind us. It's time to step up to the plate and show what you're made off.
For Cremona and Carstairs, it's nearly business as usual with only one new councillor for each council. Cremona didn't need an election with only five people running for council. Carstairs only had two running for mayor and seven for council. In their case all the incumbents were voted back in and are joined by solo newcomer Shannon Wilcox.
There are many issues that both those councils will have to contend with on top of the usual taxation and infrastructure concerns. In Carstairs, there are several hot topics including the need for a new school and new seniors housing. In Cremona, seniors' housing is also an issue as are budgets and bringing in a doctor.
In Didsbury a whole new council has been elected. None of the seven incumbents were re-elected for whatever reason. Clearly people are looking for change. Sometimes the unknown can seem like a safer bet. We'll see how this council does as they face many challenges off the hop.
There are many issues in town that it seems people aren't happy with. Having the main road into town closed due to a faulty bridge just before the election didn't help the incumbents, I'm sure. That was just bad timing. Plus, the town and council have very little to do with it as Highway 582 is a provincial highway.
The somewhat slow development of Shantz Village has some wondering about whether it will ever happen. Again, the town has sold the land and it's up to the developer to start building when ready. Every municipality has empty, seemingly deserted property to deal with. As long as the taxes are paid and all what can they do?
Christofer Atchison, manager of legislative services for the Town of Didsbury, said, "As with any development, the town continues to work closely with the developer to see the project brought to fruition. The next step in the process is for the developer to make an application for a development permit."
The one thing council can do about the bridge at least is to lobby to get the point across that yes, the main bridge into town is important and needs to be a high priority.
- Craig Lindsay, Mountain View Gazette reporter
"There are many issues that both those councils will have to contend with on top of the usual taxation and infrastructure concerns."
