Local News

“Ensuring fiscal responsibility must begin with financial transparency, doing the business of the town in the open for all to see. Transparency in government spending, making facts and figures public will have real consequences.

I served two terms as Cochrane councillor during 1980s and I heard there was a $1 million surplus. During that period, I was heavily involved in Public Works Planning /Development and Recreation. Following are the steps that l practiced: 1.

“Over the last four years the current council has raised municipal taxes less than 0.5% per year. This has been achieved by asking town administration to deliver a yearly budget showing a zero increase.

A familiar face has entered the race. Longtime Cochranite and award-winning photojournalist Patrick Price has decided to take the leap, following the advice of many community members and photography fans who feel he is well-suited for the civic duty.

A former town councillor when Cochrane was hardly more than a village is resurfacing to tackle traffic congestion as he vies for a seat on town council.

The short answer is accountability and reducing spending. That does not explain how to ensure it happens.

The Cochrane civic election was kicked off with a mayoralty debate held by the Cochrane and District Chamber of Commerce Sept. 18.

Fiscal responsibility means the town must live within its means, but maximize the benefits of what we spend taxpayer money on. Long-term, we can work to increase revenues, short term we must deal with what we have.

Patrick Wilson rings in as the 15th and final candidate to vie for a seat on town council.

“I think we need to take a hard look at where we have some inefficiencies and where we are spending our money. I think we need to look at cutting back on some of the big projects currently in progress and re-evaluate our priorities.