Tim Osborne, who ran as a candidate for the Alberta Party in last year’s provincial election, has jumped into the council race.
Osborne announced Wednesday that he will be running for a spot on city council in October.
“I think I have something to offer. I’ve had the privilege of being involved in a number of groups in the community,” Osborne said. “I just see this as another opportunity to be a part of shaping the future direction of our community.”
Osborne is the co-founder of Civitas, a consulting firm that he says helps build stronger communities. He has also been active in St. Albert, serving on the library board and as president of the Heritage Lakes Community Association.
He ran in the April 2012 provincial election under the banner of the Alberta Party, finishing in fifth place.
“I think having run before, the biggest thing is connecting with people,” Osborne said about what he learned in last year’s race.
Communicating will be a large part of his campaign, Osborne said. He wants to improve the way city council communicates with its residents. He cited the controversy around the mountain bike skills park – in which residents claim they were not given enough of an opportunity to voice their objections – as an example of what can be done better.
“The bike skills park is a good example where the process wasn’t really laid out so people could understand the decisions being made,” Osborne said. “You saw some of the uprising take place as a result of that.”
Osborne also wants to ensure the sustainability of the community going forward, ensuring St. Albert remains a community people of all ages can live in.
“Looking at new neighbourhoods, I think we need to be really smart in how we design those neighbourhoods.”
Osborne also doesn’t want to see local businesses lost in the city’s push for greater economic development. He pointed to stores such as Seriously Green or Meese Clothing as local stores now out of business that could have thrived.
“I think we can do a better job of making sure we don’t neglect the great local businesses we have here,” Osborne said.
To date Gareth Jones, Sheena Hughes and Ted Durham have announced their bids for city council. Nolan Crouse and Shelley Biermanski are running for mayor.
Osborne lives in Heritage Lakes with his wife and two young children.
Candidates must file their nomination papers Sept. 23. Election day is Oct. 21.
