Retirement has given a Turner Valley resident of 44 years time on her hands and she hopes to spend it representing citizens.
Avid volunteer Brenda Smethurst, one of six candidates running in Turner Valley’s municipal by-election, sees potential in enhancing what the town has to offer.
“I would like to build on what we have,” she said. “It’s important to attract new business, but I would like to concentrate on what we have, mainly because of the water situation. I don’t think we can be adding too many new businesses and homes when we’re in a drought.”
Smethurst envisions small improvements like more benches and garbage receptacles along the Friendship Trail and Main Street, and adding flower boxes to the campground.
“Just little things that would make a difference,” she said. “They don’t cost a lot of money. Maybe some user groups can donate.”
Smethurst would like to see umbrellas at picnic tables in the Foothills Lions Spray Park, as well as a donation box to help cover maintenance costs.
Enhancing the historic Turner Valley Gas Plant is another way to improve the community, said Smethurst.
“I would like it to move ahead and not let it sit empty,” she said. “A plan has to be thought out for down there. Maybe approach the government for funding.”
Amalgamation, a controversial topic in town, is something Smethurst wants to see move forward.
“We already share expenses on the garbage truck, water and sewer services, the library, recycling centre, recreation facilities and the cemetery,” she said. “Instead of having all these studies that cost so much money have some town hall meetings and get people talking about it. It’s important to move ahead with that.”
With some residents complaining about high taxes, amalgamation will help offset some of that, Smethurst said.
“If we had one mayor and council members from each town think of the money we would save right away,” she said.
Smethurst said she doesn’t see the towns losing their individual identities if amalgamation occurs.
“I know Black Diamond wants to be Black Diamond and Turner Valley wants to be Turner Valley, but they still would be,” she said. “We would be under the same umbrella but we should still have our own identity.”
Smethurst said she knows there are concerns about the Town having to pay its own RCMP costs, as is mandatory for communities with populations exceeding 4,999 people, but she said the government can help.
“I think there is government funding and they can help offset costs for five or 10 years,” she said.
In addressing another hot topic, complaints about staff wages, Smethurst said she wants the Town to be competitive with its management wages to retain staff.
“We need a sustainable wage policy,” she said. “We seem to be going through a few CAOs. If you’re paying them to stay instead of them moving on we would be better off with some continuity to keep people here and keep things running smoothly because every time we change somebody there’s a learning curve.
“I think we’re beating ourselves up with, ‘Oh, we will get this guy who will come in for less money.’ I don’t think that’s always the way to go.”
Having raised four children in Turner Valley, and two still living in Town, Smethurst said she’s committed to serving residents and planning for the future.
“I have the time and effort to put into being the best council person I can,” she said.
To learn more or to get in touch with Brenda Smethurst contact her at [email protected] or on Facebook.
Voting takes place April 8 at Turner Valley’s council chambers from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
