Turner Valley’s mayor has spent a few years at the head of the table, but she’s not ready to pass the gavel.
Kelly Tuck submitted her notice of intention to run for another term as mayor with hopes to continue with projects she’s been involved with the past several years.
“I’m not running with an agenda,” Tuck said. “I’m running because I truly believe I can continue to do the job that I’ve been doing for the community.”
Tuck said she has had a busy four years in her most recent term on council as it developed a strategic plan, reduced the residential speed limit to 40km/hr, introduced a commuter transit pilot project, honoured a former RCMP officer with the naming of Purdue Park, saw to the removal of two unsightly buildings on Main Street and oversaw various flood mitigation projects.
Tuck, who has served three terms as mayor and one as councillor, said there’s much more to do.
“I would really like to be at the table to continue to be a part of the upcoming changes,” she said. “Among them is amalgamation. I would like to see where the new council would like to take it and what it looks like.”
Tuck has become a visible fixture in Turner Valley, whether it’s through volunteering or attending events.
“I’ve truly put my heart and soul into the town,” she said. “I do that because that’s who I am and not just because it’s part of my position. I love this community.”
Tuck said her list of accomplishments included getting funding to build a new road to the Royalite subdivision when concerns were raised around the dangers of Imperial Drive being too close to the eroded Sheep River bank following the 2013 southern Alberta floods.
She doesn’t plan to stop there.
“It’s about advocating for the continuation of provincial funding, it’s about advocating for local groups and it’s about advocating for our schools,” she said. “It’s always making sure I have a voice in the community so if it’s brought to my attention I’m going to make sure the right bodies and officials know about it.”
Tuck said she’s the voice of Turner Valley citizens.
“I value the people in this community and I value their opinions,” she said. “When I get phone calls and emails, if I don’t know the answer I’m going to get the answer through administration. It’s my responsibility to ensure their questions are being answered.”
Councillor and former mayor Dona Fluter said Turner Valley residents won’t find anyone more committed than Tuck.
“She researches everything and tries to incorporate all of her knowledge into every day decisions,” she said. “I have a great deal of respect for her. Kelly and I have disagreed on things over the two terms we’ve served together but it’s always been very respectful.”
Fluter said Tuck has a wealth of knowledge and experience that are crucial to the operations of the Town.
“She certainly had the experience and the opportunity to actually see the growth that’s occurred and the changes that are constantly happening from the provincial to the municipal government,” she said. “There’s been a real change in process and procedures with municipal government.
“Kelly has always been very dedicated to what she does.”
