A Carstairs man is the first to publicly announce his intentions of running for the position of Didsbury-Olds-Three Hills MLA, once vacated by Richard Marz.
Longtime Carstairs-based accountant William Stevenson is one of the expected many potential suitors to surface prior to October 1, which is when nominations may begin.
In early June, Richard Marz, who spent 30 years in provincial and municipal politics announced he would be retiring from public life.
William, his wife Bev Stevenson and their two daughters Ashley and Emily live just south of Carstairs.
Stevenson has been a member of the PC party since 1992. He has been a behind-the-scenes contributor in various capacities for area MLAs and MPs for the past 20 years, including his present role as regional director of the Central South area of the province.
Stevenson said he looks forward to connecting people with the area and proving to constituents that he's the right person for the role.
“I thought ‘now is the time to be out in front and start with making my own say,'” Stevenson said, adding that he wanted to wait until his children were old enough.
“I'm at the right place in my life.
“I've been interested for a long time but you have to get a lot of things in order.”
If elected as representative of the PC party for the local riding, Stevenson said it's important to him to be known as approachable.
“To be a real person that they can talk to about whatever their issue might be,” Stevenson said. Issues that Stevenson believes are pressing for the area include health care, and seniors' long-term housing.
“Making sure we keep our hospitals and our emergency facilities in our riding, I think that's really key for the rural area,” Stevenson said, adding another big issue is the province's Bill 50, the electric statutes amendment act. Stevenson is also an advocate for lower taxes and stable municipal funding.
Working with politicians as long as he has, Stevenson has had access to their knowledge and experience.
