Mandy McGregor is making her bid for mayor of Elkford, campaigning on her previous council experience and a platform focused on bylaws, public engagement, housing and municipal accountability.
McGregor said she has lived in Elkford for 46 years, operated a home-based business for 27 years and previously spent 14 years on council.
“I’ve been extremely committed to our community. I’ve done 14 years of previous council experience, thousands of hours of volunteer work.”
McGregor said her experience and connection to the community were among the reasons she decided to run for mayor.
“There are actually numerous reasons, but the bottom line is, I think that Elkford deserves a mayor who has experience, the time, the dedication, and the energy, and I’m that person.”
McGregor has identified four main areas she wants to address if elected, beginning with municipal bylaws.
“I believe they [bylaws] need to be relevant. They need to be enforceable, and they need to be enforced.”
She also identified communication and public engagement as priorities.
“I want to address engagement. I believe every resident deserves communication that is clear, timely, and easy to access.”
Housing is another focus of McGregor’s campaign. She characterized the situation in Elkford as a housing crisis and said she wants the municipality and other stakeholders to consider different approaches.
“Elkford is in the midst of a housing crisis. I want to encourage the community and the stakeholders to think outside the box. I want to explore solutions that may look different from our historical approach to housing.”
Her fourth priority is what she calls “checks and balances,” with a focus on examining how and why municipal decisions are made.
“I want to know why Elkford’s doing things the way they’re doing it. Is it because everybody else is doing it this way? Is it because that’s the way we’ve always done it? Or is it because it’s really what’s best for Elkford? I believe we need to do what’s best for Elkford.”
McGregor is no stranger to Elkford municipal politics. She served as a councillor before running for mayor in 2022, when she received 183 votes against Steve Fairbairn’s 518.
With general voting day set for Oct. 17, McGregor is encouraging residents to take part in the election.
“Please get out and vote. Everybody always sits back and goes, I’m not going to vote. Its just one voice. I’m not going to make a difference. But if every single voice steps forward, every single voice adds together with the other single voice that said, I’m not going to make a difference, and you will make a difference because all those voices will come together to say, this is what we want.
McGregor said she is also holding two meet-and-greet events in Elkford to speak with residents during the campaign.
“We all have a right to say what’s on our mind. Say what’s on your mind. I’ll listen. I’ll answer your questions.”
General voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 17 at the Elkford Community Conference Centre.
Advance voting is scheduled for Oct. 7 and Oct. 13 at the Elkford Municipal Office.
