As Rocky View County inches closer to the 2021 municipal election on Oct. 18, current Division 2 [Springbank] councillor and Deputy Reeve Kim McKylor has announced she will run for re-election.
“I really like the role,” she said, of her intention to run again this fall. “It has been a very challenging role, I have learned a lot about governance and government. As time has gone on, I have gotten better and stronger.”
According to McKylor, navigating the role of councillor is complicated, but she has taken to it over the last four years and enjoyed the experience.
“I think I am strong and would like to continue to contribute to my community and to RVC,” McKylor said.
Another reason McKylor wants to stick around for another term on council is that she feels there are a number of items the County is just getting started on and she would like to see those projects through. Investment in recreation and the continuous growth of the communities in her division and throughout RVC are a few she mentioned.
“I think residents deserve a person who has the focus on important items,” she said. “It is important to improve our recreation to make a complete community.”'
The current term among RVC council has been shrouded in inter-member conflicts, including multiple legal battles, sanctions and code of conduct breaches. While the last four years from an outsider looking in may seem chaotic, McKylor said no matter what has gone on internally within council chambers, the group still focused on pushing RVC forward.
“I don’t think it is a surprise that there have been some challenges,” she said. “We have still accomplished a lot. We are going into a unique time with the Calgary Metropolitan Regional Board (CMRB), [and] we need strong people at the table to continue on with that membership.”
The CMRB, which includes 10 municipalities in the Calgary metropolitan region, recently approved its regional growth plan, which was met with some opposition from rural members, including RVC. One of the main reasons for RVC opposition, according to Reeve Daniel Henn, was that the plan is too “urban focused.”
McKylor said it will be important to continue evolving with the CMRB as the next term gets underway.
“With Calgary being the biggest kid on the playground, we need strong representatives to have voices heard in that arena,” she said. “This council has done a good job through the CMRB process and certainly undertaken a lot of good work.”
McKylor said she does her best with every item that comes before council to balance the concerns of everyone involved. With harder issues, like a recently approved gravel pit near Big Hill Springs Provincial Park, she said it’s important to try and find a balance and hope there are enough check boxes on one side or the other to make a decision.
Within RVC council, much has been made publicly over the last four years relating to three councillors being sanctioned by the County, as well as Coun. Samanntha Wright being taken to court over matters of pecuniary interest and unpaid taxes.
McKylor said while these issues were not easy to deal with, it was important for the County to portray what happens when rules are broken.
“I am a rule follower,” she said. “Was it a difficult decision through the sanctions? Was it a difficult time on council? Does it remain a difficult time? It absolutely does. None of these councillors are bad people. I don’t wish any of them ill, but I want all of us to operate on the oath that we took.”
The next municipal election is just over three months away, and while it has been a wild ride for the current council, McKylor said she looks forward to running again.
“RVC needs to continue doing what it is doing, and maintain its autonomy,” she said.
“We will have to work through a lot to protect our community,” she added. “I am a long-term thinker. If I don’t get re-elected, that is OK. I think whoever is at the table should take a long lens and make sure they are planning for RVC’s future.”
