Restoring the faith.
Mayor Ivan Brooker is juggling his mayoral duties with pounding the pavement and connecting with Cochranites in his quest for re-election.
Brooker has served two non-consecutive terms on council and is wrapping up his first term as mayor.
“It’s been a challenging balance … I want to make sure people understand all the good work we have done,” said Brooker, who is concerned that misinformation has been circulating on social media and that voters are not aware of all the projects on tap for the current council.
Brooker maintains that his experience will allow him to best serve his constituency and that he is very happy with the support he has received from the community throughout his campaign.
He is confident that the land agreements now in place will pave the way to ensure the south bridge project happens on time – anticipated late 2019.
This opens up routing those travelling along River Heights Drive across the bridge and through town on Centre Avenue.”
This will be “significant for improving traffic connectivity, not only south side of the river but down (Highway) 22.”
Brooker said with Southbow Landing recently receiving its land uses, this will finally provide the much-needed light industrial/commercial services for those living in River Heights.
He confirmed that a Co-Op grocery store is flagged for that site and that if elected, his goal would be to try to advance the first phase of Southbow next year with the hopes of a grocery store opening up by early 2020.
Another mandate for Brooker would be to advance the CP Rail-promised Horsecreek pedestrian crossing to the best of his abilities. Given the federal approvals timeline of eight to 12 months, Brooker would rather push for that eight-month mark.
He said he will also work with Sunset Ridge developer Melcor, who are looking to bring an application forward right away for further subdivisions in that community in order to provide a third entrance into the community.
Brooker emphasized he has worked diligently to make sure “Cochrane is front and centre” in the eyes of the provincial and federal ministries and developing strong relationships with various departments.
Three weeks ago he met with the ministry to push for advancing packaging Highway 1A twinning in with the 1A/22 highways interchange upgrade project starting next year.
He was advised that the department will review its $50 million estimate on twinning the highway from GlenEagles through town to the interchange at Highway 22, based on its 2009 assessment and is hopeful he will be able to advance the long-awaited twinning further.
Visit ivanbrooker.net for more.
