The Okotoks municipal election for town council has turned into a horse race.
A horse race with a very large field — with 18 candidates vying for the six seats on council, members of the electorate are going to study the merits of those who will be on the ballot box like a railbird studying a racing form.
It is going to be difficult for voters to separate who’s who from those individuals Okotokians’ can be grateful to for letting their name stand for council.
Voters will have to decide whether they are satisfied with the job of the five incumbents who are running for town council.
Are they happy with the direction or lack-there-of for the badly needed and much bandied about water pipeline?
Are they satisfied with the location of the new 32 Street K-9 school or was it a knee-jerk decision because of fears of not having a high school in Okotoks but in the Aldersyde?
If residents aren’t happy with the incumbents, it will be the responsibility of voters to find out if the other 13 candidates offer viable solutions, alternatives and what their plans are for the future.
Of course, voters will need help in wading through the sea of candidates.
They need to attend the various forums which will be held in the future.
As well, it is the Okotoks Western Wheel’s job to get the electorate informed.
That is a job we will take seriously, not only for the Okotoks municipal race, but for school boards, the MD of Foothills, and the races in the smaller communities outside of Okotoks.
Democracy is in full swing in the Okotoks area, but like a lot of good things, the rewards come with work.
Be sure to do your homework. Then even if your pick doesn’t make it to the winner’s circle, you know it was the right choice.
