Another new face has entered the race for city council and she hopes to represent not only the homeowners of today, but also those of the future.
Robyn Morrison, a 24-year-old marketing co-ordinator for Gateway Casinos in Edmonton, announced her candidacy this week.
The Grandin resident said people in her age group aren't well represented in local government, something she wants to change.
“If you look at the population of St. Albert, a huge population is between the ages of 19 and 40 and not 50 or 60,” she said.
Morrison lives at home with her family and said if the next generation of St. Albertans wants to continue living here they have to get involved politically.
“I would love to be able to own a home in St. Albert and I don't ever really want to leave here so I think it is important to keep our youth involved.”
On taxes, Morrison said she would like to learn more about the city's budget and spending, but one sure way to lower the burden on residents would be to attract more business.
“There is going to be so much room for businesses in both Campbell and Riel [business parks] and I think that is beneficial for the growth of St. Albert.”
Morrison wants to work with the rest of council to look at bringing some sort of rebate program to attract new businesses and help them choose St. Albert.
“We need to give them incentives to have their business here rather than on 184 Street or 137 Avenue where their taxes are cheaper.”
Morrison noted many new businesses fail in St. Albert and she would like to see the city doing everything it can to help them succeed.
“I have seen so many businesses come and they can't sustain themselves and they fail, and so I think we need to get businesses in here and set them up to prosper.”
On affordable housing — or alternate housing as she prefers to call it — Morrison said the community needs to be consulted early for any new developments.
“I think there can be room for it. We need to find the feasibility of a location that works and make sure it works with the people in that neighbourhood.”
Morrison said St. Albert has a lot going for it and she is eager to be part of what should be a bright future.
“People are proud to be from St. Albert. I know for sure that I am,” she said. “There is a lot of potential and I have really high expectations for our future.”
Morrison is the 14th candidate to enter the race for city council, joining challengers Cam MacKay, Frances Badrock, Wes Brodhead, Norm Harley, Stanley Haroun, Cathy Heron, Malcom Parker, James Van Damme, Aisling Pollard-Kientzel, and incumbents Roger Lemieux, Gareth Jones, James Burrows and Len Bracko.
Nolan Crouse and Shelley Biermanski are the only mayoral candidates.
The municipal election is Oct. 18.
