Itís heating up in west Rocky View County with two mayors and one businessman all after the same thing: The PC nomination in Banff-Cochrane.
The most recent entrant is four-time Canmore mayor Ron Casey. The man, who has called Canmore home since 1973, is preparing for a run at provincial politics, citing his experience as an asset.
ìIíve been involved with the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association at the provincial level for a number of years,î said Casey.
ìIf you have a natural interest in your community, itís a natural progression.î
Casey said winning will be difficult as McBride is also an elected official and John Fitzsimmons is a well-known businessman throughout parts of Alberta and B.C.
Regarding McBride, Casey said he has experience on his side.
ìI certainly have, Iíd say, a lot more years of service at the municipal level,î said Casey.
ìThatís the big difference between (McBride) and myself.î
Casey began as a town councillor in Canmore in 1995. By 1999 he was mayor.
However, he stepped away in 2001 until 2004 since ìthose first years were pretty intense.î
He has been mayor since 2004.
He views Fitzsimmons as a serious challenge as well, but in a different way.
ìHe has a strong business background and desire to work with the community. Certainly heís a threat,î said Casey.
If elected as PC candidate, Casey said he would begin efforts to bolster the tourism industry
ìIt would be a major initiative for Canmore-Banff,î he said.
The provision of infrastructure in certain parts of the riding represents an ìoverall challenge,î according to Casey.
ìThe interface between rural and urban is going to continue to be a challenge,î he said.
