Add another name to the list of town council candidates: Tara McFadden has announced her intent to seek re-election.
McFadden is no stranger to Cochrane, or to the tough questions and decisions that our town faces — she’s been in the game for six years now, completing two terms as a councillor. And now she’s gunning for another term.
“The reasons I ran six years ago and the reasons I’m running now are the same,” said McFadden, who works as the community engagement officer with the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation. “I moved here because I wanted a specific quality of life for my family. I’m running because I want to be part of building this community.”
A self-described proponent for the smart management of growth and economic development, McFadden said that, if elected, she’s like to continue to increase the town’s community engagement initiatives.
She added that these initiatives are on the right track, citing council’s involvement with developers, community associations and youth council.
But why stop there?
“Over the next four years, we need to find new ways to engage citizens,” she said. “We need to find a way to engage the silent majority. We already know what the vocal minority has to say and we know what council has to say. But what about the citizens who aren’t as vocal.”
McFadden brought up the idea of creating a “citizen jury” — a collection of residents who are presented with the same in-depth information presented to council and left to form their own opinions and decisions. These findings would give council an added glimpse into the thoughts and concerns of taxpayers.
“This is will a process — it’s difficult,” she said. “You need to commit to engaging citizens and commit to following through.”
McFadden, who was first elected in 2007, has a 2013 platform that includes political accountability, environmental stewardship, financial management, and recreation and culture.
The past six years have left McFadden prepared to confidently tackle another four years in a councillor chair, she said.
Listing her involvement with projects such as the pathway expansions in the East End and GlenEagles communities, and the Cochrane Sustainability Plan as a few of her successes, McFadden said she’s already focused on the next set of projects and prepared to offer her expertise to any council newcomers.
“I have six years of understanding budgets and growth strategies,” she said. “Newcomers will be looking at council in a way they haven’t done before. It’s a complex balancing the want list with the budget.”
Already McFadden has been hitting the pavement, door knocking and listening to the priorities of residents. She said many of the concerns are in regards to growth and facilities.
“I have a track record of involvement with environmental stewardship, growth management and engaging the community,” she said.
“And I’m the mother of a young family. I’m living the life of a Cochrane family — I’m part of the population that can be at that table.”
