Airdrie business owner Candice Kolson has stepped into this yearís municipal election race.
Kolson, an eight-year resident of Airdrie and owner of C.K. Markets, the company that hosts the Airdrie Farmers Market, believes that she can be the voice of Airdrieís young families and anyone else who brings their issues forward.
ìI think about 85 per cent of this city is young families,î said Kolson. ìIím a mother myself and this is the demographic that I fit into and I think I can be a strong voice on council for that group.î
Her decision to run for an alderman seat was made at the last-minute, admits Kolson, who has made it her goal while campaigning to canvas as many new neighbourhoods in the city as she can and get voters out from all corners of Airdrie.
ìI was told by a number of people not to bother going into new neighbourhoods and talking to new families because they donít vote,î said Kolson.
ìI think that I should be talking to these people because these new families should be our strongest voice.î
This move is a step out from behind the scenes Kolson says, though she is familiar with the community and many residents through her work at the farmers market, she doesnít make a point of being on the frontline.
ìIím able to see thousands of members of this community all in one place every week and I get a lot of feedback on a weekly basis,î said Kolson.
ìWhen Iím working there though, a lot of my work is done behind the scenes and I kind of try to keep out of the limelight as much as I can.î
She said her decision to run for council was based on a desire to give Airdrie residents a choice to elect a diverse council. Kolson is one of three female candidates running for an alderman seat and she believes that with alderman Glenda Alexander not running for re-election, council needs a strong female voice.
ìItís very important to have women on council, women need to have a voice as well,î said Kolson.
ìThatís not to say that we would only be representing women but I believe that women in general are very good at considering the needs of everyone as a whole and making decisions accordingly.î
Kolson is funding her campaign in house and will not be taking any campaign donations, something that she prides herself on in her stance against any type of partiality. (See related story on page 4).
ìNepotism on a municipal level has always been a concern (for me) and as business owner who has always prided myself on being open and honest and transparent, itís not something that Iím requesting from people,î said Kolson.
She says she will be relying heavily on social media and the encouragement she has received from members of the community.
Kolson urges all members of the community to exercise their democratic rights and vote on Oct. 21.
ìItís so important, especially in a year when there is no mayoral race, that people get out there and vote because there are still six seats that need to be filled,î said Kolson.
ìItís not just one mayor, there are six other people who will ultimately be making decisions for this city.î
