Six aldermanic candidates paid a visit to Cedarwood Station on Sept. 27 to introduce themselves to some of Airdrieís senior residents and answer any questions in advance of the upcoming municipal election on Oct. 21.
The meet-and-greet was arranged by Kevin Galley, who was one of the candidates on hand, along with current aldermen Fred Burley and Ron Chapman, as well as candidates Candice Kolson, Darrell Belyk and Rob Jamieson.
Each candidate took a few minutes to introduce themselves to the small group of seniors who gathered in the Cedarwood Station lobby, as well as give a speech to explain why they are running in the election.
Alderman Fred Burley has spent the last 11 years on Airdrie City council and spoke to the importance of getting out into the community to speak with citizens of all ages.
ìThese types of meetings are just all about getting feedback from the community,î said Burley. ìWe do hear about the bigger issues a lot at council, but events like this are where you hear about the little things, the day-to-day things that you might not hear about otherwise.î
Candidate and local radio host ñ who is currently taking leave to participate in the election race - Rob Jamieson fielded questions from those who attended.
ìThis is a diverse and established community; weíre talking to some people who have lived here for 50 years,î said Jamieson.
ìItís important for us to know where weíve been in order to move forward and make these next four years a success.î
The candidates and seniors sat together at tables and chatted casually for 20 minutes about anything from the cityís traffic issues to where they grew up. Some Cedarwood Station residents said they were appreciative of the efforts of the candidates.
ìItís nice for them all to come here and introduce themselves to us,î said Cedarwood Station resident Elinore Smithson. ìWe get a chance to see who they are and get to know them a bit.î
Smithson and her husband Wally have been Airdrie residents for seven years and voted in the last municipal election and intend to do so again this year.
ìI think this council has done a good job,î said Wally Smithson. ìTheyíve kept the city clean and I feel safe here.î
Cedarwood Station resident Paul Zarecki expressed his satisfaction with the job done by current council.
ìThey (council) have made the city very easy to get around,î said Zarecki. ìEspecially for me because I use a scooter to get to places and I donít have any difficulties, theyíve been very considerate of us with providing pathways and crossings.î
Alderman candidates Candice Kolson and Kevin Galley shared their thoughts on the importance of getting out in the community.
ìItís important to have everyoneís voice heard and for us to make time to come see people in our community and hear what they have to say,î said Kolson. ìItís a big priority for me that I be accessible and people feel like they can approach me.î
ìTheyíre a good group of people here and we need to be out talking to them,î said Galley, who organized the meet and greet.
