1. It’s been one year since you were elected, what has been your biggest revelation about serving Airdrie?
It’s hard to believe we’re already a year in! I would say I have more confirmations over revelations, but one thing that surprised me was the sheer volume and pace that information that comes across our desks every week. One thing that this year has confirmed is what I heard in conversations leading up to the election: we have a lot of catching up to do after 20 years of rapid growth.
The other thing is how much of this job involves clear and transparent communication, and easy to digest explanations. Life is busy, and I hear that residents want to be kept up to date, but don’t have the time to flip through websites to find it—neither do I. Airdrie residents want the “why,” behind the big topics that affect them, whether it was the offsite levy bylaw amendment, four-homes-on-a-lot, or why we went with a 25m pool over a 50m one, information needs to be easy and accessible for everyone. That’s why I make a point of recapping and making educational council content, making municipal politics plain and hopefully, a little more fun.
2. What do you see as your biggest success to date?
A lot has happened in one short year including the announcements of few projects on residents’ wish lists (mine included!) getting the green light. I would say the result of our first budget set the tone for how well our blend of new and veteran council members would work together. Through some challenging and thoughtful conversations, together we brought a proposed 6.6% tax increase down to 4.6%, and we did it unanimously.
But I think our biggest success was passing the revised offsite levy bylaw. Most people never saw it, but this technical change restructured how we fund growth and is the reason the SW Rec Centre will be built in one phase and open in 2030, four years sooner than planned. It also supports projects like the Highland Park Fire Station which will ensure more of Airdrie has faster access to emergency help when they need it the most. As we get closer to the opening of the SW Rec Centre, the offsite levy bylaw amendment pushes Airdrie to a ‘growth paying for growth’ model, which makes much more possible for that critical infrastructure catch up.
3. What do you feel is your biggest challenge moving into the next year?
With the SW Rec Centre and the new healthcare facility both expected to be complete near the end of this term, our biggest challenge will be making sure the critical infrastructure is there to support them, including water, wastewater and power. We’ve already had to make some tough decisions, and with projects this size coming online in the next few years, I expect there will be more. While we do see challenges ahead, I also see lots of opportunity to make Airdrie an even better place to live. And even with said challenges, what I can say is that this council is committed to work together build Airdrie more thoughtfully, make the sometimes difficult calls as they come, and will always be upfront with residents about why. I’m excited for the year ahead!