Looking for the best candidates

Times Reporter

 

A new group has been formed in Strathmore to help determine the best candidates for the upcoming election. In the 2007 municipal election, many residents wanted to see a change in council and mayor, and yet many are now unhappy with our elected officials. Barry Munchrath is just one man in a group of people who are seeking out new candidates to run in the fall election. 

“I think the big thing to stress about this whole initiative is it’s not about personalities, it’s not about individual council members or (the) mayor, its simply about Strathmore’s future and what direction we’re taking and what stand candidates are going to take and what their priorities are going to be,” said Munchrath, Strathmore-Brooks Constituency Vice-President.

One of the main reasons he decided to get involved was because he has heard from numerous people that if something doesn’t change, then we’re in trouble. Munchrath has been involved in both the federal and provincial level of politics and said he has “never seen a level of anger and frustration as I hear about here.”

The purpose of the group is not to find a bunch of candidates to run. They want to thoroughly vet the process and find out what is important to each candidate. 

“We have very specific goals in mind and that is to find candidates, encourage them to run, help them campaign, support them publicly and then just see what happens on elections day,” said Munchrath.  

“Its not about trying to get anybody to run, to win, its to get good candidates that the group is satisfied with, have the strength, the leadership skills and the business skills to do what is necessary to advance the goals of the town.”

Currently the group is looking for more members. Anyone over 18 who can vote and is concerned about the future of the community is welcome. The group is also looking for more candidates to listen to, and possibly promote. 

One thing Munchrath iterates is the group is not there to listen to complaints or stories about councillors and the mayor. There are more productive things to be doing right now.  

“Unless the papers give some coverage before the election, there is usually an all-candidates forum, but other than that what do people really know, how do they really know who to choose from,” said Munchrath. Becoming an elected municipal official does not require a background in politics, which can turn some elections into a popularity contest. 

“It doesn’t become about what the person stands for or what experience they have, it simply becomes a popularity contest and that can be dangerous,” said Munchrath. 

The group has been growing rapidly, though exact numbers are not known at this time. Munchrath hopes the group will alleviate complaints and concerns when it comes to the new council.