Coun. Darrell Belyk has announced his intention to run for re-election in the upcoming municipal election.
A victory on Oct. 18 would set him up for a third term as a City council representative in Airdrie.
“It was rather an easy decision, because we have lots of things going on in Airdrie right now and I just want to be there to see them through to fruition,” he said.
Belyk was first elected to council in 2013, according to the City of Airdrie website. He has called Airdrie home for the last 21 years and shares seven children with his wife. He also has eight grandchildren.
As a current member of council, Belyk serves as the chair of the Community Services Advisory Board and vice-chair of the Environment Advisory Board, as well as a director of the Airdrie Public Library and alternate director for the Rocky View Foundation.
He said that there are several projects in the works around the city that he would want to continue being involved in, if re-elected. Points of interest for the candidate include the 40 Ave. interchange project, the revitalization of Airdrie’s downtown, a new multi-use library, and the development of a new recreation centre in the city’s southwest quadrant.
“[Council] has been working on these projects for many years and finally they’ve come to the forefront as actually happening,” Belyk said. “Those wheels are starting to move and we’re starting to get some traction into bettering the community.”
Belyk said council has done well in increasing community engagement throughout the last four years, and said it is important to listen to the public so that more opinions can be heard.
Supporting the recovery of the local economy is a priority for Belyk as well. He notes on his campaign website that council, the City’s economic development department and the local chamber of commerce have worked to assist businesses throughout the pandemic and promote them through social media and other channels.
Another facet of Belyk’s campaign will work to highlight Airdrie businesses; ‘The Great Bobble Head Giveaway,’ as he calls it, will see Belyk post picture and video puzzles featuring local businesses every week. Those who solve the riddle will have a chance to win a bobble-head fashioned in Belyk’s likeness.
As COVID-19 infections attributed to the Delta variant continue to rise, Belyk said he recently made the decision to conduct a large portion of his campaign online. He thought the bobble-head contest was a fun way to engage voters and showcase Airdrie vendors while still staying safe.
Belyk is the second incumbent councillor to announce candidacy for the upcoming municipal election. He is running alongside fellow incumbent Ron Chapman, as well as newcomers Reggie Lang, Mark Steffler, Jay Raymundo, Lore Perez, Jaclyn Dorchak and Trevor Cameron.
As of press time, only one individual has announced their candidacy for mayor – local entrepreneur Lindsey Coyle.
