Two terms — that’s how long Cochrane Mayor Truper McBride said he would serve when he ran for the position in 2007, and he’s sticking to his guns.
Following his announcement on April 2 that he would not seek re-election in the coming municipal election, the reaction from council members to McBride’s decision has been for the most part one of despondency at seeing the young, ambitious politician call it quits.
For councillors Ross Watson and Ivan Davies, McBride’s six years on council, to his election as mayor and now his departure, has been about progression.
“Cochrane was lucky to have (McBride) as mayor for two terms,” said Davies, admitting that he did not always feel as confident about that as he now does.
Davies said it took over a year for him to understand the vision McBride had for Cochrane, and that it was OK for that vision not to fall right in line with his own.
“He’s all business, he’s very bright and understands the political forum,” said Davies. “He’s gone to bat for Cochrane on a lot of issues.”
Watson said he believes Cochrane is losing someone with valuable experience, and a person who has learned to work well in the position of mayor.
Watson also commended McBride for continued efforts to reach a consensus on council on any and all matters before them, an observation many councillors agree with.
“He really looks for what the solution is,” Watson said of McBride. “Everyone’s opinion is valuable.”
Watson added that he has not voted alongside the mayor on every occasion, and that he knows 4-3 votes ‘do not sit well with McBride.’
As for McBride being a visionary, councillor Joann Churchill, who was surprised to hear McBride would not run again, said she has been impressed by what had been accomplished in the past six years.
“He has put into place policy that has changed the way development occurs in our neighbourhoods,” Churchill said, “and has worked with the development industry to set this direction.”
Davies and councillor Tara McFadden pointed to the Quarry site as a particular achievement of McBride’s, as the development of the site was planned in a way that would best reflect Cochrane’s small-town feel.
“He held our planners to task,” Davies affirmed, saying the future site will be ‘a place to go’ and not just a shopping centre.
“The Domtar site sat here for 20-plus years as a blight on this town,” said McFadden, adding that the town’s ability to take advantage of the Community Revitalization Levy — retaining the education portion of provincial taxes to revitalize an area of the community (the Quarry site is included in that area) — was due to the work of McBride.
“He laid the groundwork for Cochrane’s growth,” McFadden said, claiming McBride’s vision at times peered so far into the future that it would get ahead of itself. “He was always sincere and it was never about his own personal gain, but always about what was best for Cochrane.”
Churchill is also pleased with the progress seen on the Quarry site, saying McBride set in motion an opportunity for economic growth, which will help balance the town’s tax base.
“He has successfully encouraged all of council to prioritize financial sustainability for Cochrane’s future,” Churchill said, highlighting the 10-year financial plan as a guiding principle of this achievement.
When it came to his personal attributes, some on council acknowledge that McBride was not your typical mayor.
“He’s not a hand-slapping, baby-kissing mayor,” said Davies. “He’s not warm and fuzzy.”
McFadden reiterated this sentiment, saying at times she wished he simply had said ‘hi’ to someone walking down the street.
“He’s awkward with that kind of style,” she said. “The ‘man of the people’ feel is not there.”
Based on the positive review from council, it would seem the next mayor has some rather large shoes to fill.
McFadden hopes Cochrane’s next mayor will possess new ideas for moving the community forward, and continue to build upon what McBride has constructed over the past six years.
Davies would also encourage the next mayor to ‘take the reins’ and carry on with what McBride leaves behind, and not to think the town needs a new slate.
Davies believes that if the approach is to make changes, Cochrane will suffer and possibly struggle for years.
Two areas Davies is most fearful of change is to the Cochrane Sustainability Plan and the RancheHouse Accord, two documents the councillor lauds McBride for, and said are necessary to move forward in a responsible manner.
“We need a mayor who represents us provincially as well as locally,” said Watson, who believes the current compensation is not what it should be for a full-time mayor.
Watson feels the next four years will shape the community for the future, and the next mayor will have a lot on their plate.
The current salary for mayor is $66,690.
Watson said he would run for another term as councillor this October, as will McFadden. Churchill said she would also run, though she is unsure at this point whether she will run for another term of council or for mayor.
Davies on the other hand, will not run for another term. He will soon relocate to a property just outside the town boundary, becoming a resident of Rocky View County, which prohibits him from running.
Councillor Jeff Toews believes McBride’s decision not to run most likely came down to what was best for him and his family.
“He gained experience, which he can now take with him to the private sector,” said Toews. “I wish him all the best.”
Toews said there are several projects, including the aquatic and arts centres, that he would like to see through to the end, and as long as his professional situation remains the same, he will run again for council.
Councillor Ivan Brooker did not respond to an interview request.
McFadden, who has studied political science, said that getting some ‘fresh blood’ is always a good idea when it comes to government. But as for whether McBride will pop up again in the political world, she is not too quick to dismiss the notion.
“We’re not done with him yet.”
