Skip to content

Nagel says he’s down but never out

nagel

It was a whirlwind of a year for Morgan Nagel – the two-term Cochrane town councillor who lost to businessman Peter Guthrie last Saturday in his vie to represent the UCP in the Airdrie-Cochrane riding. “It was a very hard-fought race from everybody,” said Nagel, who added that he earned a total of 889 votes from the ranked ballots, to Guthrie’s 1,100. “I had a really strong showing in Cochrane, but it wasn’t enough and Pete beat me in Airdrie and Rocky View.” As per the Returning Officer’s discretion, voting margins are not being released. It’s the first time Nagel feels he has looked up since he put everything on hold – aside from councillor duties – to campaign some 10 months ago, fresh off a municipal election win. As he looks to the horizon, the 28-year-old politician said he knows his time in politics is far from over and that new opportunities will soon unfold. “The defining feature of truly successful people is that they take big risks and if they fail, they learn from it and keep on going,” said Nagel. “I’ve always been clear from day one that I’m passionate about politics – municipal, provincial, federal and international. Politics isn’t going to leave my life.” As far as his work on town council? That too has a long way to go with three years left in his term. “I got into politics because I wanted to make a difference … I feel very honoured that I can still stand up for local issues.” Often the lone wolf on town council, Nagel has rarely wavered from his campaign mandate: to slow down development, retain Cochrane’s small-town feel and limit government spending. As popular candidates are often polarizing, while viewed unfavourably by some and earning him critiques for grand standing and not being a team player, his staunch opposition to development and adherence to his word has earned him considerable support – and more votes than any other candidate, including mayoral, in the 2017 municipal election. With fall budget deliberations around the corner, Nagel will push for beefing up infrastructure solutions and for putting transit back to the people. He will also continue to vote no on further development, given the oversupply on the “saturated housing market.” “I ran on a message that if we’re going to spend a bunch of money, it has to be on infrastructure,” he said, adding that he doesn’t believe transit will afford much of a traffic calming measure, but he stands to be corrected by residents as to whether or not on-demand transit is what Cochrane wants. Nagel is supportive of fellow Coun. Alex Reed’s support to launch a transit plebiscite. “I believe a plebiscite is appropriate. If they want a yes vote from me, it has to come from the voters.” He added that he is also concerned with three-plus per cent tax increases forecast over the next three years and said he will implore council to cut those rates in half and make big decisions over what the town wants versus needs. “I’m going to continue to find meaningful ways to give back to the community ... I don’t think (this loss) is a clear message that Cochrane won’t support me.”

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks