Written by Noel Edey Thursday, Sep 23 2021, 6:00 AM
Cochrane Now
Tara McFadden wants to continue to make a difference in Cochrane and is seeking a fifth term on town council.
“For me, it’s that continued passion for Cochrane and that desire to make a positive difference in my community for my family, neighbours, and everyone here. Cochrane is one of the most desirable places in the country to live, and I’m proud of being a part of making it even better.”
She believes some major projects have been advanced, including transportation corridors, protective services building, Horse Creek pedestrian railway crossing, and transit hub/innovation centre.
She was proud to see the Jack Tennant Memorial Bridge completed, a project that was 24 years in the making. She says it’s improving traffic flow and is proving to be an economic driver.
Her three major focuses will remain managing growth, roads and access, and community engagement.
“My vision is that we’re working towards making a more complete community, but we’re still keeping that small-town feel that’s vibrant, affordable, and very safe place to be.”
She says, in a way, the pandemic has helped to enhance public engagement.
“The silver lining with COVID is that because we had to move to online meetings, it allowed us to invest in the technology to have online meetings. There’s an added level of transparency and accountability when you can go on to YouTube and see the work that your council’s doing.”
She has been a strong advocate of parks and recreation and gained support from fellow councillors to create a park and recreation committee that has opened the door to further public involvement on policies and priorities.
She says there is much more to be done but is proud of the work the committee has completed.
She wants to see the tri-sites project advanced further.
“To be that complete community, we need to make sure we’re investing in all parts of our community, and so we need to really to focus on that parks, recreation, and culture piece and make sure we do develop a strategy to bring the tri-site project to life.”
She successfully pushed for the completion of a corridor study that focuses on how the look and content of the main arteries in the downtown core should evolve.
One thing she left undone from her commitments in 2017 was the establishment of a citizens panel to provide feedback to the town. It’s something she still wishes to pursue.
All incumbents are seeking re-election and there are a total of 19 candidates in the running for six seats. Election day is Oct. 18, and advance polls begin to open on Oct. 9.
