Ray Courtman, mayor of Beiseker, has unfinished business he wants to address, and as a result is running for re-election in the Oct. 21 municipal election.
Courtman, a longtime resident of Beiseker and former educator, told Rocky View Weekly, that his to-do list is too long to leave now.
“My council has done a good job over the past three years,” he said. “And there is lots of unfinished business left.”
If elected this will be Courtman’s second term as mayor.
On his list for the coming term if he is elected will be finding ways to attract new businesses to the village and support current business operations already in place.
An increase in businesses will help lower the tax rate for residents, he explained.
The village of 800 residents has seen activity in the past year, with the potential Grasslands of Beiseker residential development planned for the west side of the village, a development that Courtman hopes will increases Beiseker’s profile within the County.
The village’s small residential base forces the cost to be shared between fewer people than in a large centre.
“A small municipality has to provide what a large municipality has,” he said. “And the costs are divided up among a smaller number of people.”
As a result, that drives the cost of living up in the village, and that is something that Courtman admits is “part of the price of living” in a rural setting.
Beiseker’s ongoing challenges with the City of Drumheller and the Aqua 7 Commission – a group of seven municipalities affected by the increase of water rates from the City – will also be front and centre for the incumbent.
Although the decision rests with Drumheller, Courtman said he wants to work with Rocky View County to help the smaller communities like Beiseker become less reliant on Drumheller’s supply.
Courtman currently sits on the Aqua 7 Commission, as well as the Airport board.
Over his term, Courtman believes he’s been an effective leader for Beiseker and that it ultimately comes down to listening to the residents.
“I listen to people and I address the issues that arise as quickly as possible,” he said.
Public works issues – sidewalk cleaning and maintenance – within the village are also a concern to Courtman, although he added that the Village can’t afford enough staff to stay on top of the maintenance of these concerns.
With just five public works employees on the Village’s payroll, it makes it difficult to get to everything, and the budget doesn’t warrant an increase, he explained.
Beiseker’s airport is also a passion for Courtman, as he has been involved with growing the project from humble beginnings to where it is today.
“It’s my baby,” he said. “For years, it cost the village money and I was constantly asking councillors to get behind it. For the last year, it’s now a money making project.”
During the summer of 2010 the provincial government repaved the 3,000 feet of runway. The airport attracts recreational pilots and six new hangars built in 2012.
A local skydiving company –Alberta Skydivers operates out of the Beiseker Airport, located three kilometres east of the village.
The father of two and grandfather to one, enjoys his position on council and would like to see everyone currently at the table return for another term.
“We work really well together, I would be happy if everyone was re-elected,” he said.
“We don’t always get along, but we manage to come up with answers in a professional and respectful way.”
All but one councillor are running for re-election, with longtime councillor Fred Walters stepping down.
