City of Airdrie aldermen Murray Buchanan and Glenda Alexander will not be seeking re-election in this Octoberís municipal election.
For Buchanan, this is his second time stepping away from municipal government, after having served as an alderman from 1986 to 2004 before running for election again in 2010.
Alexander has been a member of Airdrie City council since 2004.
Both departing public servants, stated, they were thankful for the opportunity to serve the City and are now looking to grow other aspects of their lives. Buchanan will be taking on a new position at his full-time job and Alexander is looking to further her education.
ì(Iíve) determined that I will not have enough time to do a good job at both work and council,î said Buchanan in a press release.
ìBeing on council can be a significant time commitment, last year alone, I spent over 100 hours going through the budget line-by-line to try to ensure we were spending the citizenís tax dollars wisely.î
Alexanderís comments were similar to that of Buchanan, citing the time commitment as a factor in her decision.
ìI have a full-time job where Iím working 40 to 45 hours a week, plus 20 to 30 hours a week for council, it doesnít really leave a lot of free time,î Alexander told the City View. ìIím going to be furthering my education now and taking some online classes; things that I had planned to do 10 years ago but never had the time.î
Both Alexander and Buchanan were members of the council responsible for the annexation of more than 12,000 acres of land from Rocky View County, and both were able to see the final phase of Genesis Place unveiled as members of Airdrie council.
ìSo many great things have happened in this city and thereís been so much growth since I became a member of council,î said Alexander.
ìThereís almost too many to name, from the north overpass, the south underpass, the Main Street Fire Hall and Genesis Place phase two and three.î
Buchanan said he feels the future of Airdrie is very bright due to a strong core of incumbents seeking re-election.
ìWhile the current council often had different opinions and lively debates it was still a very effective council,î said Buchanan. ìI sincerely hope that each and every incumbent seeking re-election is successful based on all the hard work they have put in on behalf of our vibrant community.î
Alexander was of the same opinion and said she was, ìproud of previous and current councils for their work and will support them in any way she can.î
She added that she hopes Airdrie residents will turn out to vote in great numbers.
ìItís your democratic right to vote,î said Alexander.
ìI want to see voters come out so that we can get the right people in those seats, itís a huge decision and I encourage everyone to look at the candidates and do their homework and make their vote count.î
The municipal election will take place on Oct. 21.
For more information, visit www.airdrie.ca
