With the first hat in the race and some of the sitting councillors announcing whether or not they will seek to retain their seats, it is time to start thinking about the upcoming municipal election.
Unfortunately, if the 2013 election is any indication, Cochrane is mired in voter apathy and poor political engagement.
In the last election, only 4,500 voters cast a ballot for an abysmal 33 per cent voter turnout.
Citizen engagement in the political process is concerning, especially in a community growing as quickly as Cochrane.
Council over the past three years has made very significant decisions that have affected not only the tax base but also the overall feel and character of the community.
Whether it is the new pool or the approval of multiple new developments, council has been operating with a mandate from far less than the majority of the population.
Not only is that an unfortunate drawback to our voting system, it means that those elected to council only reflect the political leanings and policy direction of one-third of voters.
The more people who go to the polls, the more likely it will be that the candidates elected will be representative of the wants of the voters as a whole.
An engaged electorate is vital to a thriving community. Not only does that mean Cochrane needs people who are eager and willing to have their voices heard but those willing to lead.
In the next few months, candidates for council and mayor will begin to step into the fray. While we encourage as many people as possible to stand for seats on council, we implore that the decision not be made frivolously.
Being a councillor takes a lot of time, the willingness to listen and the character to push aside personal biases and make decisions that are best for the entire community.
It won’t always be easy and often councillors will face the brunt of hostilities from angry citizens, but Cochrane needs strong individuals who can face those challenges in a way that will help make this town stronger.
We as a newspaper will also do our part by helping to keep our readers informed about the issues and where each candidate stands. We hope that information will help people make an informed choice this October.
A lot is happening in our community – new developments, new infrastructure and new facilities – and the rate of our growth suggests there is more to come.
It is going to take all of us playing our necessary parts to ensure it is done right.
