Sometimes the second or third time is the charm.
There are a few familiar names on the ballot for Okotoks council in this month’s municipal election. Karen Neal, who ran in 2010, and Nicole Watkins, who ran in 2010 and 2013, are vying for seats at the council table again this year. In addition, Florence Christophers, who served one term from 2010-2013, is returning to the race for council in 2017.
Neal said she feels like there is still unfinished business in town, and the issues she campaigned on seven years ago are still at the top of the election this year.
“We’ve made some ground, but I think we could be making a lot more ground in the area of water and growth,” said Neal. “I was a strong advocate for the water pipeline in 2010, I felt it was the only viable solution, so I’m really passionate about that.”
She said removing the population cap was also part of her platform in 2010 because she didn’t believe it was realistic. Now she’s excited about the prospect of planning the future of Okotoks and its newly-annexed 4,600 acres of land.
Affordable housing is an important part of her campaign in 2017, she said.
“I think it lacks in all areas, from seniors to low-income families, single-parent families and couples starting out,” said Neal. “We need to incorporate that as we develop these new lands.”
She’d also like to see more culture opportunities, including a performing arts centre, she said.
Though she didn’t run in 2013 due to family issues, Neal said she’s ready to take another stab at town council after losing by only 10 votes in 2010.
Neal said she’s familiar with Town protocol, having served on the Culture, Parks and Recreation Committee and ad hoc Transportation Committee. She’s also been part of the Municipal Planning Commission for 12 of the 20 years she’s lived in Okotoks.
This year, Neal said she’s trying to learn from experience.
“When you come 10 votes shy, you always think to yourself, ‘if I could have gotten out to ‘x’ number more doors,’” she said. “So, hitting more doors, for sure. And I didn’t use social media seven years ago like I am now.”
For Watkins, who lost by only 18 votes in her second run for council in 2013, accepting help from the community is going to be part of her success.
“I’ve had a lot of people volunteer over the years to assist me,” said Watkins. “I’m quite certain I might have won last time, had I relied on people who had offered to help, but I didn’t.”
Though she’s lost twice, Watkins said she didn’t hesitate to run again in 2017. She said she’ll be a good candidate to represent Okotokians with a strong voice at the table.
Watkins said almost her entire platform in 2013 was geared toward the water issue in Okotoks, and it remains a prevalent problem in town. The issue has been around for 12 years without a solution, which she said needs to be fixed.
“We have to deal with that, and we have to arrive at a common consensus that is going to benefit all Okotokians not only now, but well into the future,” said Watkins. “We can’t be working on half-measures anymore.”
Watkins said she feels more confident this time around because a lot of people in the community have come forward and shown their support. Many began asking her to run again months ago, she said.
“I’ve very pleased and honoured they have put me on such a plane and instilled confidence in me, which of course boosts my confidence in being able to know, with their support, I will hear their voices and hopefully be able to represent their voices as well,” said Watkins.
Christophers is in a different situation. She sat on council from 2010 to 2013, then decided to take a four-year hiatus to focus on her family and regroup. She decided 2017 was the right time to jump back into the fray with a fresh perspective.
Christophers said she’s excited about the next term, which will involve mapping out the future direction of Okotoks. Taking four years off allowed her to see things from a different perspective and helped her develop ideas about how Okotoks can grow, she said.
“I feel really fresh,” said Christophers. “I have lots of energy, I have renewed passion for what I can bring to the table, I have a clear vision of some things we can do better and differently going forward.”
She said being on council before isn’t necessarily an advantage, because the campaign trail feels just as nerve-wracking as before.
“I have to work just as hard to stand out, to share my message, to establish credibility with the community,” said Christophers.
The population in town has grown by up to 7,000 people since she stepped down, so many people don’t recognize her name, she said.
Though the work to garner votes may be just as difficult, Christophers said she feels she’s got one major advantage – if she’s elected, she can hit the ground running rather than taking a year or two to find her voice and figure out how everything works.
“The learning curve is over – I know what I’m coming in to do, I know how it works, and I have such an incredible sense there is a dawning of a new day in Okotoks,” said Christophers.
Coun. Ken Heemeryck was once in the shoes of the three candidates, as he lost out in 2010 but campaigned a second time to get a seat on council in 2013.
Heemeryck said it’s all about learning from your mistakes.
“I learned there’s no rest,” said Heemeryck. “You have to work very hard to achieve a place on council and prove to people that you have worked hard enough to gain their trust. You take those lessons learned and try to do better than last time.”
