BOWDEN ñ Concern about the crime rate and a desire to spur business in town motivated Kerry Kelm to join town council.
The 61-year-old retired postal worker is one of three new people on council. All six councillor positions were filled by acclamation because only six people let their names stand.
In addition to Kelm, the other new councillors are Carol Pion, who operates a cake creating business, and Randy Brown, who operates a golf store in Red Deer.
Incumbent councillors are Sandy Gamble, Paul Webb and Wayne Milaney.
There is a race for mayor, however. It's between incumbent mayor Robb Stuart and Earl Wilson. As a result, a mayoralty forum will be held Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Friendship Centre.
Stuart is running for a third term as mayor. He has been on council for 13 years, seven as mayor. Wilson, a Bowden resident for 22 years, has served on council for about six years.
"There's a lot of theft that's going on that I hear about and I think that's something that we have to address," Kelm says. "Perhaps we can get enough interest in doing the Citizens On Patrol thing again ñ get that going."
When asked if that's something council should spur, Kelm says, "well, I'm sure they could facilitate it. I mean if it's protecting the citizens' property as well as the town's property. I think it would be something really worth investing some time into."
Like other councillors, Kelm would like to see more businesses locate in the community.
"I know that's a tough call all the way around, but it's something that would be I think advantageous ñ both to the residential for taxpayers, but also for facilities that are in town," he says.
Overall though, Kelm thinks Bowden council "has done a pretty good job."
"I don't have a hobby horse or anything that I'm definitely against. I think that they're progressing," Kelm says. "I think that hopefully I can add something by listening and (providing) another point of view."
"We're going to have three new councillors, so there's some new blood on, so maybe some new thoughts, or just a different angle on things."
Kelm says he has some experience attending meetings that were run according to Robert's Rules of Order or parliamentary procedure, so he says that will help him adjust to his new role.
He was president of a Canadian Union of Postal Workers local in Red Deer and served on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Lacombe.
"There's a lot of theft that's going on that I hear about and I think that's something that we have to address."KERRY KELMBOWDEN COUNCILLOR
