First off, we would like to sincerely thank all of the municipal candidates who gave their time and effort, helping the citizens of Airdrie build the strongest elected council possible.
We also wish to thank mayor Linda Bruce, who for the first time more than a decade will not be serving Airdrie from elected office. She has taken much from herself and her family, and given it directly to our city. We owe her a tremendous debt of gratitude.
We did not, however, owe her our votes.
That is one of the most difficult lessons for any candidate, whether it be a first time rookie or a seasoned incumbent.
Sometimes, people vote on a government’s record. The voters of Sagewood, who opposed the Habitat For Humanity complex and were subsequently overruled by council, are likely willing to attest to this.
But, most often we think, people vote for the governments they can see their own lives reflected in.
When the recession hit our region, the people we know suffered real setbacks - high-paying jobs were lost, RRSP funds cratered, families struggled to cover their mortgages. They cut back. When people looked to their City, they didn’t see their government cutting back. Instead, they saw their government continue to increase spending.
It wasn’t the threat of a double-digit tax increase floated by some candidates - a blatant scare tactic - that drove higher voter turnout in last week’s election. It was something deeper. Voters could no longer see themselves reflected in their government.
It was this disconnect that reduced Brian Mulroney’s government to dust in the 1990s. It’s this that threatens to crush the provincial P.C. government’s dynasty. In electoral politics, this disconnect is like a force of nature. It can not be reasoned with.
Mayor Bruce may be leaving Airdrie in remarkably strong shape, a vastly improved place for residents to live, work and play.
But she will be leaving office nonetheless.
