Only two current town councillors, out of six, decided to run for re-election in Nanton.

Beryl West is hoping to serve a second term to complete the projects she has been working on.

"I am feeling like I am mid-stride," said West. "There is lots of work still to be done. We made a lot of improvements around town. There was great energy in the last council, I would like to be part of the process."

She adds the projects she is most devoted to and have great interest in have barely been touched.

West has been involved with the regional Economic Development Alliance Alberta Southwest for her whole term.

"It has become more apparent to me, as I have been involved with them, that Nanton needs to come up with a strategic plan when it comes to economic development."

And she added the town, council and administration, needs to establish and improve upon business relationships with all businesses community in town.

"That's the entire business community, not just the retail core downtown. I don't know if it means setting up a committee again or just reinstate conversations and figure out where we can go and what our assets are. How we can attract new business, how we can retain business and it would also include revitalization of the downtown core."

That could include tax incentives.

West would also like to see beautification of the downtown core including making the alleys attractive for pedestrian traffic flow.

"There is room for plantings.  Also Nanton doesn't have a policy for parks and groomed space which being involved in horticulture for my entire working career I think it is essential for town."

She also wants to expand on community based decision making where that is appropriate.

Growth of Nanton is a topic everyone running for council is talking about and West says the town should look at affordable housing.

"In the current economy where do people find affordable housing in town, I think we really should look at the whole small house movement. I think we should look at the potential for seniors co-op housing."

She doesn't see the town as being the developer of this kind of housing but says it is a need in town.

"One of the tasks we have been looking at is updating the town's municipal development plan and through that process we identified pockets of town owed land, maybe there is potential there."

West says she also wants to expand on community based decision making where that is appropriate.

She wants to see things like Coffee with Council and having a presence at the farmers market and perhaps starting something new.

"Just carry on that conversation that we started, which was really effective. It was a very informal platform and we had great response."

They had other councillors and administration from other towns thinking it was a fabulous way to be present in the community.

 

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