Community organizer Shana Bruder has announced she is running for a spot on Cochrane town council.
Bruder said it’s a natural progression, from being a student at Cochrane High, raised in Cochrane since 1979, to her days on a number of committees and groups, including the Cochrane Light Up committee.
“I’ve spent most of my life here in Cochrane. I went to school here, I was raised here, I graduated here, I have volunteered in the community and now I am raising my child in Cochrane,” said Bruder.
“So, I feel it’s time to do something a little bigger.”
Bruder is currently a member of the board of directors for the Cochrane Foundation, on the committee for the Cochrane Community Awards, is the former chair of the Cochrane Light Up committee and organizer/founder of the Cochrane Used Toy and Clothing Sale.
“It’s hard to put into words how much Cochrane has grown in my lifetime,” Bruder said. “You see more growth and you see new houses going up every day, it makes me sad in one respect, but happy at the same time because people love Cochrane so much that they want to be here.”
Bruder believes Cochrane should have public transit to accommodate its growth.
“I think we need to develop a transit system within Cochrane first and foremost,” she said.
“It’s a growing town and we need a way for those without transportation, such as youth, seniors and young parents, to get around.”
On whether Cochrane should have a Wal-Mart, Bruder answered that you can’t always get everything you need in Cochrane right now.
“I try to shop locally as much as I can, but sometimes I have to drive to the city for things and, while I’m in the city, I end up stopping at other stores for things I could easily get in Cochrane,” she said.
Bruder said she hopes to gain a lot from an experience as a member of council and would work to give answers to those in the community who seek them.
“I believe there needs to be some re-evaluation of some things previous councils have put forward or are trying to put forward. I am interested in understanding more fully why they’ve chosen the direction they’ve taken with development,” she said.
“I believe in win-win outcomes. No one should feel they completely lost out because of a decision council makes. I am excited and eager to get involved in politics because it is time to stand up and help guide the transformation happening in our town.”
For more information on Bruder, visit her website at ShanaBruder.com and her Facebook page.
