Bearspaw residents may already recognize Division 8 Rocky View County (RVC) council candidate Val Murdoff, who worked for many years as an educator with Calgary Board of Education and Rocky View Schools – including assistant principal at Bearspaw School.
“Being in that world for 34 years, I have a lot of experience with budget analysis, communication, visibility and being transparent, and seeking input,” Murdoff said. “I’m a strong voice, and I’m very confident.”
Murdoff has lived in Bearspaw for the past ten years, after moving to the area from Cochrane. Now retired, Murdoff said the push she needed to decide to run for RVC council came in the form of a letter to the editor published in the Rocky View Weekly following the passing of former Division 8 Coun. Al Sacuta.
“The letter was talking about (Sacuta) and our loss,” she said. “It talked about all that he contributed to this community and ended with a comment about how important it is that we have good, strong representation in this area. That was the trigger, for me. I love this community and I’m committed to it, and that letter was absolutely right.”
After making the decision to run in the Division 8 byelection, Murdoff said she received overwhelming support from her friends and neighbours in the Bearspaw community. According to Murdoff, people have not only been appreciative she is participating in the election, but also excited for what she hopes to bring to council.
“They said they trusted I would be informed and thoughtful in my decision-making and transparent, much like (Sacuta),” she said. “He would always provide rationale for the decisions he made, and that’s something I certainly appreciated and valued and would be sure to continue.”
Her primary goal as Division 8 councillor, said Murdoff, is to do everything she can to preserve the “country lifestyle” that Bearspaw residents have “bought into.” While she admitted development is “probably inevitable,” she said she plans to encourage council to be very careful with the scale and scope of development in the area.
“My concern is that there is a group of landowners and builders who are hoping to have a strong influence on the nature of development that could occur in Bearspaw,” she said.
“I’m not comfortable with this in the sense that I’m not sure it’s going to represent the average resident or homeowner in Bearspaw, and I want to be intrinsically involved in that process.”
Murdoff said she also plans to continue focusing on managing the water issues that have been a source of concern in Bearspaw, as well as actively looking to provide housing options for seniors.
“I have a strong voice and I’m honest and devoted,” she said.
“I will truly seek information and input from residents so that I can accurately convey that position in council, when I can.”
Murdoff has a website where residents can read more about her position and contact her with any questions or concerns. Visit valmurdoff.com or email [email protected] for more information.
