The list for a seat on council grows larger and larger as election day in Okotoks comes ever closer.

Shawna Lawson hopes her experience in the private and public sectors as well as with the United Way can grow Okotoks business as she seeks a seat on the town council.

Originally from Red Deer, Alberta, she lived and worked in Ontario and also in England before settling in Okotoks with her husband in 2017.

"I got the opportunity to come here to open a branch of an economic development firm based in Ontario, and they said we could live anywhere and I chose Okotoks."

She plans to bring in her economic development background to assist in building up Okotoks' infrastructure as well as bringing in jobs for the local population. 

"Okotoks has grown so quickly, and because it's growing so quickly we have to make sure that the infrastructure is in place that supports future growth. That includes the water, of course, to major infrastructure projects going forward. Do we have the tax base?"

She has had plenty of experience working with communities around the Foothills. 

"We do a lot of regional economic developments and regional community development, so I think it's really important to engage with Foothills County, Turner Valley and Black Diamond. You know all the communities and then of course Calgary in a meaningful way. We need to not see each other as competitors."

This isn't the first time she has had an interest in running.

Lawson was encouraged to run in Ontario and well as in London, England, but felt it wasn't the right time to pursue a career in politics.

Now settled in Okotoks, she felt it was the right time to put her name in.

"It's a big puzzle that you bring together as a community developer, and that's what I've done my entire career. That's why I'm running for council."

Lawson moved from the private sector into the public sector in her mid-30s but has worked with councils for much of her career.

She knows how much work will be needed to put into motion what she believes is good for the community.

"Both male and females are underemployed here. We just need to align the workforce that we have here with the industries we have here, and that takes work."

With an almost new council coming in this election year, she is hoping to bring her experience to an otherwise fresh group.

"You wake up in the morning and want to do something that's meaningful. You can't really make a difference unless you're a councillor."

 

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