Newcomer candidate Mark Jette is looking to unseat veteran Rocky View County (RVC) councillor and former reeve Greg Boehlke in the Oct. 18 municipal election.
Jette, who has resided in RVC since 2004, has owned a waste reduction and recycling business for the last 17 years. He also owns and operates a farm in the county and has nearly three decades of experience in the real-estate market, according to a written statement he provided the Rocky View Weekly.
“I want to advocate for positive change in Rocky View and bring a fresh perspective to the council,” he said.
The candidate who is running in the newly formed Division 5 explained his choice to run for council this fall was born out of his desire to improve the interactions between county residents and RVC.
“I found in my own experience that it’s not very easy – not everyone knows how it works,” Jette said in regard to resident-administration interaction.
Other than improving cooperation among citizens and division representatives, some of the issues at the top of the list on Jette’s platform are effective representation on the Calgary Metropolitan Region Board, zoning, subdivision and development consultations for residents, responsible and sustainable growth and curbing rural crime and illegal dumping.
“[I want] to change what’s happening in Rocky View – people have a really negative perspective about what’s going on and I think a lot of it is communication,” he said. “There has to be a spirit of cooperation.”
Jette said he thinks RVC residents are ready for positive change, adding he has already been canvassing his division to listen to the concerns of voters. Based on those conversations, Jette said he has an idea of the issues that Division 5 residents will be thinking of when they fill in their ballot on Oct. 18. These include clean drinking water, effective storm water management, affordable tax rates, effective services, financial and fiscal responsibility as well as the approachability and availability of their respective councillors.
Though Jette has managed several businesses and emphasized his communication and leadership skills over the past three decades, he said it is still going to be a challenge to overtake incumbent Coun. Boehlke, who has served as the Division 6 representative for RVC for 17 years. Boehlke also previously served RVC as the reeve, before stepping down from the role last fall.
“I think it’s time for a change and I’d like to be the advocate of some positive change in Rocky View,” Jette said.
With less than two months until the municipal elections, campaigns are in full swing. As of press time, nine individuals have submitted their paperwork to run for RVC – incumbent Kim McKylor in Division 2, Jolene Airth in Division 3, Dan Henn and Roc Spence in Division 4. Incumbent Jerry Gautreau and Jeremy Stinson will face off for the Division 6 seat, while Coun. Al Shule is currently running unopposed for re-election in Division 7.
As of press time, no candidates have filed nomination for Division 1, where Mark Kamachi is currently the council representative. Kamachi has said he is not running for re-election.
