Continuing The Drumheller Mail’s look at who’s running for re-election next year, members of the Carbon Village Council shared their thoughts on whether or not they will run, what they’ve accomplished, and what needs to be done.
All but one of the council are undecided if they will run again.
“Some of the things I wanted to happen this term haven’t been completed. I want to see them through to the end,” said Councillor Michael Still, who plans on running for a second term.
Mayor Valorie Reed is unsure whether she’ll run again if terms are increased to four years.
"At this time, I am not sure I will seek reelection. It’s a long time away and I won’t make a decision until summer. I will be interested to see if the provincial government will be making the next term four years or not,” said Reed.
Councillors Dan Pedersen and Shirley D. Buyer echoed that sentiment. Buyer also stated other reasons for potentially stopping after her 18th year on council.
“I need the year to decide yet, depending on my health. I’ve been a councillor for 17 years and it’s been an experience. The four year terms are a big deciding factor too,” said Buyer.
Over the past two years, Carbon has seen some big changes to the village and the council was excited to have been able to participate in the centennial year.
“We had our centennial celebrations in August and that was an awesome event and it was so great to see our community volunteer so many hours to make it a great success. Our Centennial Park is going to be a lasting legacy to the people past and present of our community,” said Reed.
The council unanimously agreed the creation of the new subdivision in Carbon was a big step forward this past year.
“I think one of our biggest accomplishments was getting our subdivision open. I was very excited the day we turned the soil for it,” said Buyer.
Pedersen also had a personal highlight.
“For me personally, being on the Kneehill doctor requirement and retention committee. We’ve found eight so far. I’m quite happy with that,” said Pedersen.
With less than a year left, there are a few challenges facing the council.
“One of the things we struggled with the most was keeping taxes down. We built that new subdivision and we’ve been trying to promote it. We’ve also been working on getting a new fire hall here,” said Councillor Richard Ekman.
When asked how they would spend a $1 million dollar grant, the five members of council differed in their desires.
“Recreation and our library for our residents is very important and I think we could put lots of money into some of the existing facilities as well as looking at building some new facilities. I could spend $1 million very quickly on these projects,” said Reed.
Buyer also felt recreation was an important area for grant funding.
“One of my biggest priorities would be recreation for all ages. Down the road we need a fire hall and a swimming pool,” said Buyer.
Ekman felt a new fire hall was the highest priority.
“The highest priority for me is to get a new fire hall built. The engines have got so big, it’s hard to fit them through the door,” said Ekman.
Pedersen felt recreation was a high priority, but also indicated a new hospital would be high on his list.
Still wanted to address the village’s aging infrastructure.
“There are so many infrastructure needs, like upgrading our water and sewer systems,” said Still.
The next municipal elections will be held in the fall of 2013.
