Two elections are over and now the question is what comes next. Will it be same old, or are Cochrane residents looking for change from the same elected officials?
The recent municipal election was a wash in Cochrane, despite 19 running for town council, the same six returned and Cochrane’s Mayor Jeff Genung was acclaimed when no one else ran for the position. In Rocky View County, the divisions also saw very little change. Division 1 incumbent Kevin Robert Hanson and Division 3 incumbent Crystal Kissel are back on council after a redraw of the electorate boundaries. The only newcomer, Don Kochan beat out incumbent Kim McKylor in Division 2.
As expected, the federal election also brought no change to the Banff-Airdrie riding.
It would be easy to interpret these results as a resounding endorsement of the current elected officials – and maybe it is.
However, if there are things that Cochrane residents want changed, they are going to have to be vocal.
Politicians are not mindreaders and votes speak volumes. So, if there are issues of concern, you will have to let your elected officials hear you loud and clear.
Council has a question-and-answer period at the beginning of the meeting and letters and emails also can grab attention.
Issues like a wave park in the Bow River and traffic have not gone away and councillors will be looking for feedback.
Rocky View County has come to the end of a tough term with infighting and legal battles marring the last four years. It will be incumbent on the returning councillors to show that they have moved past their disagreements and work in solidarity.
Rocky View County residents do not need distractions from the issues that are important to them.
The vote is over, but that doesn’t mean that the electorate should remain silent for the next four years.
