Samanntha Wright learned her constituency had determined she was indeed “Wright for Bearspaw” in an 877 vote to 803 for her opponent, Coun. Eric Lowther.
“It’s time to change … we absolutely have to move forward in a positive way,” said the mother of three and 11-year resident of Bearspaw (Div. 8), who is hopeful the newly-elected nine Rocky View County representatives will set aside differences and work together.
Wright has been an outspoken critic of county decisions over the last few years, as a member of the countywide advocacy group Rocky View Forward and Rocky View Gravel Watch.
She brings to the table a commitment to “financial transparency and process transparency” and wants to “open up the books and see where we are not being efficient” and move forward with the implementation of a review and audit committee.
Wright feels gravel is top of mind for many in her roughly 5,500 member community and is determined to ensure completion of an aggregate resource policy – something she was very disappointed was not put into place before county council recently voted through three additional gravel pits in bordering Div. 9 territory, along Big Hill Springs Road.
An advocate for politics stemming from grassroots, Wright said she is “very concerned the county is not following its own policies” and that if the county chooses to divert from its own guidelines, it needs to rewrite their policies.
With developments coming online in Bearspaw and other county divisions, Wright said adherence to policy and listening to impacted residents is of the utmost importance.
She has long been a voice for the protection of the agricultural, country-residential lifestyle that is at the heart of Bearspaw.
Eric Lowther
Lowther, who was the victor against Wright in a 2015 bi-election following the untimely passing of former Bearspaw councillor Al Sacuta, said he will continue to be an active member in his community of Bearspaw.
With a 73-vote margin between he and Wright, Lowther said he feels as though the community is divided and hopes his successor can repair this and bring the community together, as “campaigns tend to drive divisions and not reconciliation.”
Lowther is most proud of his ability to connect with residents; his successful appeal to council for short-term emergency pumping solutions along Meadow Drive in Bearspaw; his ability to work well with officials in a bordering City of Calgary; and his engagement work to ensure the Centex Gas Station/Tim Hortons coming online in the spring along Hwy 1A will be designed with the considerations of what the community wanted.
He said he will continue out of office to advocate for changes to improve quality of life for west side residents impacted by the provincially-owned Stoney Trail Aggregate Resource (STAR) Pit that is on Calgary land, operating 24-hours a day and impacting life for Div. 8 residents.
