Dear editor, I have been watching the mayoral race with interest these last few weeks and it really does seem to come down to one person with experience, integrity and a track record of getting things done, and a number of people with no true municipal politics experience, nor any public record of successful leadership or management.
Airdrie’s growth has been phenomenal and it cannot have been easy for our elected officials and City staff to manage that growth. Our streets are in the best shape they have ever been with access into and out of the city vastly improved. We have an array of newly built and expanded recreational facilities to serve the needs of all Airdrie citizens from babies to seniors. Most of us have enjoyed the Festival of Lights and the beautiful Nose Creek Park - and all the other parks interconnecting throughout the city. We have shopping facilities that allow us to stay in our own community for virtually everything we need.
The Province has created a significant financial challenge to the City with the takeover of ambulance services impacting the successful City model for integrated fire and ambulance service. This financial challenge has given rise to talk of a large tax increase - but history shows us that despite the challenges, increases have typically been no more than four per cent. We cannot blame our local politicians for this; the Province foisted this on the City. Despite this there are new fire and ambulance stations being built to keep our City safer and there is a new bus service into Calgary.
There is so much positive going on in the City it seems a shame to stop the momentum and to start over. We are all proud of the Over 55 Games and the Air Show that brought such a great vibe to the city. Airdrie now finds itself with a $100 million dollar budget and to the men challenging Mayor Bruce I say, “Good for you for engaging in the democratic process.” However I really can’t imagine a city the size of Airdrie with such a large budget being run by someone with no experience in municipal politics. Run for alderman, serve a term or two and truly learn the workings of the City then run for mayor. But for now, for the sake of our City and all the positives that we enjoy, we really need to stay with the experienced hand.
Sheila Murphy, Airdrie
