2010 was an eventful year for Airdrie City council.
The seven-member group made decisions on controversial issues such as a Habitat for Humanity project at Monklands Soccer Park, pouring thousands of dollars into seldom-used InterCity Express buses and is now looking into the possibility of upgrading fences along 8th Street.
The municipal election on Oct. 18 reinvigorated the public’s interest in City politics. With more than 20 people vying for a spot on council and three mayoral candidates, the election was a hot topic. The buzz around the election caused about 8,520 residents to mark their ballot and hundreds made an appearance at a municipal candidates forum in early October.
In the election, Airdrie Mayor Linda Bruce was defeated by newcomer Peter Brown.
City council lost two long-time members, Marlene Weaver and Richard Siemens, as well as two-term alderman Shawn Howard who all stepped down. Fresh faces Ron Chapman and Allan Hunter, as well as veteran alderman Murray Buchanan joined incumbents Glenda Alexander, Kelly Hegg and Fred Burley to make up the new council.
Although council looks different and the members have varying points of view, we hope their goals are the same - to maintain the lively, vibrant feel of the community and make it an even better place to live in the future.
We hope the council’s New Year’s resolution is to work hard, stay transparent, keep the best interests of the public in mind and meet the needs of a growing community.
