Former High River Town Councillor Carol MacMillan is running to be the town's next mayor.
MacMillan is a one-time former Town Councillor and has stayed very involved with the ongoings at Town Hall and within the town itself.
She said she's been listening to what a lot of locals would like to see happen in town, and she wants them to know that they've been heard.
"I really enjoyed my time on council from 2017 to 2021, and I enjoyed representing on so many different boards and meeting so many different people. When I made the decision in 2021 not to run for re-election, I took a bit of a step back at first, but then I decided that I'd be actively observing council meetings and seeing it from that perspective as well and learning a lot. I just kind of came to the conclusion that I'm ready to run for mayor and take that next step to represent. I feel that with my strong ability to listen to people, because I learned a lot over the past almost four years from people, their stories, what they'd like to see in High River, what they feel needs improving upon and that people felt I truly represented and that I truly do represent."
MacMillan feels her past experience on the town council, going over countless reports, would be an asset.
"Most definitely, and my attention to detail and willingness to read the reports so thoroughly as well, my husband has teased me that I've actually done my second term as a volunteer the past four years because I continue to read through everything and stay on top of things. And not necessarily with a critical eye, but a very observant eye. I think the key to being on council is always remembering and being guided by the fact that you serve and represent the people and not the administration. Sometimes those lines can be blurred but, in my philosophy, they don't get blurred, and I think that's a strength for a mayor. As a mayor, you're kind of like the role model of guiding good governance. I think that's the other thing. I strongly believe in good governance, I don't believe in government, but to have that good governance where you're following the Municipal Government Act (MGA), you're reading the documents, and you're asking questions because as an observer I've been very disappointed at how limited debate there has been these past four years."
One of the key issues MacMillan feels needs to be addressed is making sure she represents everyone.
"A key theme is that people feel that their voices are not heard. That overturning of the pool referendum is still very raw for a lot of people, as is the pool expansion. Not that people are against the pool, but the location and the fact how that was financially handled. People want fiscal responsibility, and they want respectful and thoughtful consideration on where their hard-earned money is going. Why I ran to begin with is because it's grassroots and community in my mind, and I don't think politics should be in play at this level. During the four years of this particular council, public comments have been removed from the start of the meeting. So, you can't have your voice heard as a citizen before they make a decision; you can only speak afterwards. That's not accountable and that's not listening to the people."
The municipal election isn't until Oct. 20.