Another candidate has announced her intention to seek election in the County’s Division 9, bringing the district’s total up to four candidates.
Mary-Ann Mears, who has had a career in real estate, has lived on an acreage outside of Cochrane for seven years.
She loves the rural experience the area offers to her family, and wants to help protect it.
“I love living where I live,” said Mears, who has a background in real estate. “I want to be a consistent and clear voice for the residents here in Division 9.”
Mears has been considering running for election for the last couple of years, but was spurred to make her decision when council passed the Growth Management Strategy.
“I see it as the first step of a plan,” said Mears.
“Now let’s make it go…the way the residents want it to go. You can’t put a plan in place for the next 50 years and never look at it. Let’s use what we have and change it where we need to change it.”
Mears said the necessary changes can be determined by listening to how residents see the future of Rocky View.
If elected, Mears said she will make every effort to garner input from her residents.
“My commitment is that community (involvement) has to be ongoing…daily, weekly, monthly on the ground working with the residents,” said Mears.
“I want to represent what the residents of Division 9 want…so I will seek input from them.”
Mears is also concerned with the amount of debt the County has incurred.
She said that although some debt may be inevitable with long-term growth, it has to be manageable.
“I do understand the importance of good debt as long as you can still pay your bills at the end of the month,” she said.
“I just want to make sure that the revenue is there to keep the debt in check.”
If elected, Mears said she would work to protect unique landscape, community and the environment of her division.
“I know we have to have growth,” said Mears. “We live beside Calgary…it is going to affect us, so now we have to be proactive.”
Mears said her people skills and fresh perspective would make her a valuable member of council.
“I think I can bring people together to a mutually agreeable compromise,” said Mears.
“It doesn’t mean both parties are completely happy, but there is always a win-win. We need to keep the community together.”
