It's not often that city council encounters an issue that can lead to polarized debate between members. When it happens at the best of times, it can lead to raised eyebrows. When it happens in an election year, well, cue the whispers.
Coun. James Burrows has never shied away from voicing his opinions, even if it leaves him in lonely company during council votes. That's happened a few times recently, including a failed motion to add two members of the public to council's finance and audit committee. Losing the vote is one thing, but Burrows went a step further and publically questioned Mayor Nolan Crouse's position with some rather intriguing comments.
"I've always known Nolan to support public input. I don't know why he didn't this time," Burrows told the Gazette in an interview.
The divergent opinions didn't stop there. Burrows recently voiced support for scrapping the St. Albert-Sturgeon intermunicipal development plan (IDP), which guides development around the city. It certainly wasn't council's official stance, with the IDP being the subject of several closed-door meetings.
Burrows fell out of step again two weeks ago when Morinville Mayor Lloyd Bertschi floated the idea of merging his town with St. Albert, Sturgeon County and possibly Legal into one specialized municipality. Crouse avoided the topic like the plague.
"I don't have an opinion and I don't want to create an opinion," he said. "It is something we are not going to spend any time on."
Burrows, meanwhile, is on the record for liking the idea. He even asked administration to give all councillors a copy of a confidential report prepared the last time the specialized municipality concept was broached in 2003.
"I think it's a great idea. We wouldn't need an IDP with Sturgeon County," Burrows said.
The three-term councillor says the specialized municipality concept is working in Strathcona County and Wood Buffalo. The idea could help lower property taxes in St. Albert and lead to cost savings all around from having only one administration. Landowners would also have the benefit of knowing exactly how development will flow.
Burrows finds it "interesting" that Crouse would not even consider the idea. The rest of council, he says, is fixated on the IDP. Even with an election just seven months away he'd like to have groups like the chamber, St. Albert economic development advisory committee and even the environmental committee take a look at the concept.
"I don't think any idea is a bad time to discuss any time. Life must go on. Elections, or no elections."
But that willingness to provide an opposing view from the mayor should not be construed as an election challenge, Burrows said, firmly quashing any notion of running against Crouse on Oct. 18. With a young family to raise, he doesn't have time to run for the top job.
"I love my family too much," he said, still undecided about whether he'll seek a fourth term.
And while they might differ at times, Burrows said Crouse is the right person for the mayor's chair.
"I think Nolan Crouse is doing an exceptional job for the city. I'm his greatest fan."
Seven-month itch
With the exception of the mayoral race (assuming one materializes), it's still too early for most council candidates to throw their hat in the ring for the election. It's not too early, however, to get some face and name recognition through a committee appointment, blog, social media site, newspaper column, letters to the editor or display ad. In many cases, candidates of the would-be variety have already started employing all or several avenues to show off their knowledge of local issues.
Taking in live council meetings is another, more low-key way to get a feel for local issues. It'll be interesting to keep an eye on who's sitting in the public gallery between now and the election, and whether any of those people will be sitting down in the lower chamber after Oct. 18.
Bryan Alary is an editor at the Gazette.
