Okotoks councillors are getting candid in the public eye. The Council Community Connector Plan was approved on Oct. 22. The plan will bring councillors together on a set date in February in two public spaces – the Okotoks Recreation Centre or Pason Centennial Arenas – to meet with residents and business owners. “The intent of this Connector program is for council to get some face-to-face time with the owners in our community,” said Coun. Tanya Thorn. It will provide the public with a better opportunity to ask councillors questions on any topic, rather than responding to preset survey questions, she said. The intent is to allow a general discussion where people can ask council about anything on their minds, she said. “I think this is a great first step at trying to have that connection and not prescribing what we think the conversation should be,” said Thorn. “This gives us that opportunity to really get a sense for what is resonating in our community and what isn’t.” Coun. Matt Rockley wasn’t so sure about the open format, saying he would prefer a more scientific survey method for receiving feedback from the community. “I don’t think it’s a good use of anybody’s time for us to be at a busy location without any type of format or anything specific to share,” said Rockley. “I would prefer we did something more of a survey format to get more feedback from more people.” Though Mayor Bill Robertson agreed that a more structured format is preferable, he said he would be willing to give the open-style discussion a shot for the first go round. “I’m willing to give it a try but I do have that same hesitation Coun. Rockley alluded to,” said Robertson. “But let’s try it out once. Maybe it will be successful and we’ll do it 100 times.” Coun. Ed Sands said the open discussion would be interesting for the first time out in public, but he would prefer to see a more pointed conversation for subsequent Community Connector dates. “I’m supportive of an open plan simply for our first encounter,” said Sands. “I think it’s going to be a very good program and we can do it many times in the future on many folks’ topics.” For Coun. Florence Christophers, the idea of taking council into the public is exciting. She began her own public forum this month by answering questions via Facebook Live for an hour and a half on Oct. 1. She said it’s a great opportunity for residents to open a dialogue with council. The delegation period during council meetings gives people a chance to speak, but councillors are unable to respond or debate issues at that time, she said. “I think there is a strong desire for dialogue in our community, and I think quality dialogue is the backbone of democracy,” said Christophers. “I also think it helps keep our small town Okotoks a small town.” She said opening it up to whichever topics or questions residents bring forward means the community is getting the feedback it wants from council, rather than hearing only about topics chosen by the Town. “I think there are opportunities to snuff our malicious rumours that can circulate in a community when you know your council and you can feel comfortable calling them up,” said Christophers. “I think this is a really great step in doing democracy differently, in doing it better.”
