One of two candidates running for Sundre's council in the upcoming byelection said he wants to get more involved in the community and learn more about municipal politics.
Nolan Blatchford also wants to get more educated on local issues, work with council to promote the town and introduce new recreational opportunities as well as facilitate the process of setting up new businesses, he told the Round Up during a recent interview.
“Some of the business people I've talked to, it seems like they'd like a friendlier business environment,” he said.
The process for entrepreneurs who want to establish new businesses should be more streamlined. The candidate said he's heard concerns regarding issues with obtaining permits.
Originally from Merritt, B.C., Blatchford relocated to Sundre about 14 years ago when the logging contractor he worked for moved the business to town. He eventually met his future wife, Susan, who has been working at the mill for about 18 years. They have a nine-year-old son as well as an 11-year-old daughter, both of whom go to River Valley School.
Occasionally going to visit in B.C., he said returning to Sundre is like coming back home.
“It's a nice family community…I'd like to see it stay that way,” he said, adding that he wants to see more people come to Sundre, along with more businesses to ensure long-term growth and sustainability.
His decision to run for council was largely motivated by a desire to be more involved in the community while learning about the local political process, he said.
“I'm green at this, I'll be learning lots.”
If elected, he said one of his main goals is to “get along with everybody and see if we can promote more business and community growth.”
As a trucker with many years of experience in the logging industry, he also expressed concerns about the proposed Main Avenue pilot project that features three roundabouts, and holds reservations regarding the idea that large rigs could simply drive over them. He said he also wants to learn more about the situation with the Sundre Hospital and Care Centre. He praised the efforts of the Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre MLA Jason Nixon for the politician's efforts in rallying the community to prevent the complete loss of long-term care beds in the community following a March announcement by Alberta Health Services to that effect.
Blatchford's educational background includes a diploma in natural resources technology, which he earned in the late 1990s at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology in Merritt, B.C.
“If I get elected, I'll do the best job I can,” he said, encouraging voters to get out and cast a ballot.
