Interest in the Oct. 18 municipal election appears strong, as 450 residents packed the Arden Theatre Tuesday for what turned out to be one of the better candidate forums in recent memory. Organized by the St. Albert Taxpayers’ Association and featuring questions from a media panel and the audience, the event allowed candidates to shine or stumble on the issues. On the mayoral front, incumbent Nolan Crouse turned in the type of performance we’ve come to expect over the last six years. He was well spoken, honest and straightforward in his answers to, at times, some pointed questions about Arlington Drive and city spending. He offered some new ideas, from a plan to attract family doctors to an efficiency review of city hall. Overall, his performance reflected his personality — hard working and steady, yet in no way dazzling.
The forum was the first opportunity to size up challenger Shelley Biermanski. A political rookie, she blasted council decisions about downtown redevelopment and continued her contention council doesn’t listen, the latter being a main theme of her campaign. The Arlington Drive resident came out against the Habitat for Humanity project and densification. Like her rival, Biermanski’s performance was capable but not overwhelming.
Of the 13 council candidates, several newcomers shone. After narrowly missing a seat three years ago, Malcolm Parker was among the strongest supporters of a new industrial park in the annexed lands, pointing out the city needs more large lots for larger warehousing and industry. Another challenger from 2007, Wes Brodhead displayed solid knowledge of the issues, openly questioning some candidates’ campaign promises of capping property taxes at 1.5 per cent for the next three years and their ability to follow through. That kind of realism won’t wow anyone but reflects his experience as a municipal administrator.
Newcomer Norm Harley garnered the loudest applause, hitting the current council with issues like the sculpture purchase, traffic lights and staffing increases at city hall. Harley’s hawkish talk was a hit, but factually missed by calling the “grain elevators” a $14-million project, when the scope of the project is much more expansive and, currently, unfunded. Cathy Heron had plenty of support but drew gasps when she called the current RCMP model of ‘no call too small’ a “Cadillac service.” Cam MacKay displayed average-guy charm, backed with tough fiscal talk one expects from a member of the taxpayers’ association. His neighbourhood rights bill struck a chord, but the idea of St. Albert embracing development at Villeneuve Airport was a puzzler given how far outside the city it sits.
Stanley Haroun spoke from the heart on affordable housing, but failed to turn heads on other issues. Aisling Pollard-Kientzel and Robyn Morrison likely turned some heads with their public speaking skills, however both showed political inexperience. James Van Damme raised an interesting idea of expanding Campbell Park into Edmonton, a plan St. Albert has tried twice, failing both times — most recently during the current term.
With the exception of James Burrows, none of the incumbent councillors stood out. Burrows staunchly defended council’s track record, while at the same time pushing for industrial development. Gareth Jones showed his passion for social issues, but mostly turned in a quiet evening. When pressed about property tax increases Roger Lemieux pointed out property values go up at the same time, an explanation that might be correct but earned loud jeers from a tax weary audience.
Len Bracko topped that misstep by trying to draw a parallel between keeping taxes in check and cancer patients who, by eating healthy and exercising, are less of a drain on the health care system. He tried talking his way out of it, but only upset the crowd, which eventually shouted “enough!” It was an appallingly poor performance, especially for a seasoned veteran. With two weeks until the next forum Bracko must prove he still has it, just as some newcomers need to show they get it.
