There’s something to say about on-the-job experience.
Mayoral candidate Joann Churchill believes experience is what puts her ahead of the mayoral herd.
“None of us are experts in any of this,” Churchill said of herself and her fellow councillors. “You learn as you go and it’s important that I understand.”
Having sat on council for six years, Churchill has learned quite a bit about what Cochrane and its residents want and need, and along with becoming familiar with the issues, she has gained confidence in her ability to do the job.
During her time on council, Churchill, who received the most votes by any councillor in Cochrane’s history for the 2007 and 2010 elections, has notched some accomplishments on her belt, including fiscal initiatives like zero-based budgeting and the 10-year financial plan; implementing such policies as the Sustainability Plan and the Open Space Master Plan; and various social ventures like diverse and affordable housing and transit.
As mayor, she would focus on financial sustainability, economic development, building a complete community, governance and accountability.
Churchill said the response she has heard thus far from residents of her bid to be Cochrane’s next mayor has been positive, and along with her own confidence increasing over the past six years, she has seen voters’ confidence in her rise as well.
“A lot have said that I walk the talk,” said Churchill, who, in addition to being a councillor, has sat on nearly 30 volunteer and council-appointed committees since moving to Cochrane in 1998.
Churchill said she hopes the community is treated to a mayoral-candidates debate sometime this fall before the October election so those in the running can voice their positions on the issues before Cochrane.
One of the central matters Churchill has heard from Cochranites so far is concern over rising taxes.
Churchill said several residents feel the 6.2 per cent tax increase is too high, something the mayor-hopeful agrees with, saying if elected she would be supportive of no more than a three to five per cent increase, but that this time around, fire services, the Rocky View Foundation and education tax have played a role.
“The education tax and the Rocky View Foundation costs are collected by the municipality for the province and foundation,” said Churchill. “The education tax goes directly to the province, the foundation requisition assists in the support of the Big Hill Lodge and other regional seniors’ lodges. The municipal tax rate for 2013 is zero.”
Though Churchill said that with her six years on council she is no longer surprised by any of the issues raised by Cochrane residents, she has heard several Cochranites voice concern over losing the community’s small-town feel with its ever-swelling population.
Traffic has also become an issue over the past few years; a concern Churchill said council has been addressing through planning documents to ensure new roads are built to a size to accommodate future growth, including transit.
The town’s water capacity is presently set for a maximum 35,000 population; a matter Churchill said council is also monitoring to project future need.
Speaking of her predecessor, Truper McBride, Churchill said she would like to continue moving the principles he has set in motion as mayor forward. She did admit that residents would see at least one difference between her and McBride.
“I’m more of a people person,” she said. “I connect more. I believe in direct communication with people.”
McBride said Churchill has been a strong advocate for building a bright and vibrant future for Cochrane and that she has a positive vision with ideas to move forward.
“Joann understands how important it is to develop Cochrane as a complete community where people are able to live, work and play regardless of age or income,” said McBride. “The next mayor of Cochrane needs to be able to keep us moving forward, Joann Churchill is that person.”
Churchill said that her door-knocking efforts as a councillor would translate into an open-door policy as mayor, and that if she doesn’t have the answer to a resident’s concern, she would certainly find a way to get it.
“I like to establish relationships with people,” said Churchill, adding that relationship building is part of the reason why she enjoys volunteering on as many committees as she has. “The social fabric is the heart of the community.”
Born in Saskatoon, Sask. and moving to Cochrane from Winnipeg, Man., Churchill has many professional and personal experiences in her life, including being a breast-cancer survivor for the past 16 years.
“You set life priorities and realize how precious every day is,” said Churchill.
Currently in what she called a ‘soft-campaign,’ Churchill will officially kickoff her election bid in September.
More information on Churchill can be found at joannchurchill.com, @JoannChurchill on Twitter and her ‘Vote for Joann Churchill for mayor of Cochrane 2013’ Facebook page.
