The next municipal election may not be until October, but for Dan Cunin, there’s no time like the present to announce his candidacy for town council.
“It’s the right time for my family and it’s the right time with a lot of things,” Cunin said, who has served two terms on the Cochrane Planning Commission. “I’ve always believed, ultimately, in the power of government, believe it or not.”
Cunin, who moved to Cochrane from British Columbia more than nine years ago, is not a stranger to the world of politics, as he was the Green Party candidate for Banff-Cochrane in the 2008 provincial election.
“I almost hesitate bringing that up,” admitted Cunin, “because I think the Greens unfortunately can be kind of a polarizing figure.”
Cunin said it’s important to find a balance between accepting that the Cochrane area relies mightily on the oil and gas industry, while at the same time, taking the necessary steps to ensure the environment is not put on the back burner.
Hoping to avoid any polarization in the municipal forum, Cunin feels he has something to offer the community and said he hopes to give back to the place he now calls home.
“One thing I think I can bring would be a certain core value, core ethics and core principles,” said Cunin, “which I don’t think you have to toss out the environment with economics…those things can be synonymous.”
Along with working with the planning commission, Cunin is employed by the Alberta Government as a children’s services worker and holds a degree in social work from the University of Victoria.
A 43-year-old father, Cunin believes Cochrane must keep both seniors and youth in mind moving into the ever-growing future, and he wants to hear from residents.
“Let me know what you think,” Cunin asks voters. “As much as I do have ideas and some platforms in areas I am interested in, I really am genuinely interested in what people have to say and I would be representing what they have to say.”
Cunin said he feels he has a solid skill-set on how to compromise, allowing all voices to be heard and ultimately getting things done, yet at the same time, making decisions that may or may not make everyone happy.
Transit, for example.
“It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when,” Cunin said of a transit system in Cochrane. “What I would hate to see happen is that we get frightened with some numbers…this isn’t going to cost millions of dollars and I wouldn’t support something that’s going to cost millions of dollars.”
Cunin said it’s important to make sustainable decisions when it comes to Cochrane’s future, keeping in mind transit, bike trails and overall connectivity.
“Cochrane is at kind of a precipice,” said Cunin. “We’ve got a lot of major decisions coming down. Being part of the Cochrane Planning Commission, I’ve realized that there hasn’t always been as good a planning as there should be. I don’t think the focus has always been necessarily on some of the values that I think a lot of Cochrane residents hold.”
When it comes to taxes, Cunin feels several politicians have shied away from the topic because at times, many levels of government have not utilized tax dollars properly.
“We want all the services but we don’t want all the taxes,” Cunin said, understanding why people don’t want to hand their money over to the government. “I live within a budget, as does everyone else. It’s not a decision to be made lightly.”
Water is one area Cunin said he would concentrate on if elected to council, as he believes that at some point Calgary will encroach on Cochrane’s supply.
“I’m concerned that we’re going to run into water shortages, and there’s ways around that.”
Cunin also feels that Cochrane must focus on planning when it comes to the Municipal Government Act.
“That really is one of the key things that can really constrain what Cochrane wants to do for itself,” Cunin said.
“I don’t necessarily make a great politician,” Cunin surmised, “but I make a great advocate.”
For more information, email Cunin at [email protected].
