Embracing the movement.
“I felt alone in my voice and it’s all of a sudden grown to this movement,” said mayoral candidate Jeff Genung. “My passion is fueled by the voice of the people,”
Genung has been connecting with townspeople through door-knocking, visits with community groups and coffee meet and greets at Cochrane Coffee Traders – the popular coffee house he has owned for the last 16 years.
He has also been tapping into social media – from live streaming forums to videos to snapshots of supporters with lawn signs.
With his slogan of Community NOW and three pillars of connection, communication and culture, Genung said the town has left quality of life for the existing residents behind in favour of accelerated growth – resulting in a growing disconnect between residents and their elected officials.
That’s the message he is hearing.
“Traffic is the easy target, because it’s the one thing people fight every day … but when we get through that, it’s quality of life. It’s the line ups everywhere … we’re behind,” he said, confirming that traffic is the number one concern he is hearing.
Genung said his goal is to flip that around and to take a people-first approach and focus on existing residents and catching up on infrastructure and to better prepare residents and businesses for future, more manageable growth – including moving the future over/underpass at Centre Avenue up the priority list on the town’s Ten-Year Financial Strategy.
He also feels strongly that “this council has been led around by the nose by the development community” and that the next council has to take the reins back.
Connecting with residents through better engagement and the formation of task forces will be at the forefront of Genung’s priorities list, should his run prove successful, as will advocating for more centralized services for seniors and supporting the Lions Rodeo to stay in the heart of town.
The 49-year-old husband and father or two said he has been surprised at the overall positive reception, including the number of requests from residents for lawn signs and is encouraging anyone who has feedback or concerns to reach out.
“I’ve had some opposition in the paper (Cochrane Times) in a letter format. I won’t be the person who argues and fights in the media,” said Genung.
“I will continue to take the high road and if people have the problem with me they can bring it to me personally.”
Learn more at jeffgenung.com.
