Locals with inside knowledge of St.
Locals with inside knowledge of St. Albert’s political scene believe someone will step up to challenge Nolan Crouse for the mayor’s chair in October’s municipal election, but believe whoever that person is will have a difficult time unseating him.
“I’ve heard rumours (of people running),” says former alderman Bob Russell. “I wouldn’t be surprised if someone does, but I don’t think they’ll succeed. I think Nolan Crouse is a very strong mayor and is, overall, very popular with residents.”
Crouse announced Thursday in an e-mail blast he will run for a third term as mayor in this fall’s election.
“I love what I’m doing. I really love what I’m doing,” Crouse said. “I have lots of energy and there’s nothing about my physical, mental or spiritual health that suggests I shouldn’t run.
“I feel community support. Time will tell if that turns into voters, but I feel the community.”
Crouse, 59, was first elected to council as a councillor in 2004. He successfully campaigned for mayor in 2007 and again in 2010, handily winning both elections.
His opponent in the 2010 election, Shelley Biermanski, said she has not yet decided if she will run again.
“There are some variables,” Biermanski said. “I really don’t have anything to say at this time.”
Former two-time mayor Richard Plain, who ran against Crouse in 2007 along with Gary Woo, said Crouse’s work ethic and commitment are enviable, but that there is a segment of the population hoping for a challenger.
“There are people that would like to see an alternative but there’s no one at this stage that has indicated they are willing to step forward,” Plain said. “Normally that might have to come from one of the existing councillors but I haven’t heard anything.”
Russell agreed with Plain, saying he doesn’t see anyone on council who would challenge Crouse.
“There are a couple of strong councillors but they support the mayor,” Russell said. “That seems to be an unlikely place for someone to come. I don’t sense that.”
Crouse said he has several issues he plans to explore during the upcoming campaign, but said he won’t discuss them in detail until the mayor’s race starts to heat up later this fall.
“I really want to make sure I don’t unduly influence this council’s agenda,” Crouse said.
Two upcoming and significant capital projects will require some discussion during the campaign, Crouse said – the community support centre that would house several non-profit groups, and the proposed Campbell Park Transit Station and Park and Ride. The tab for the community support centre has been pegged at $17 million to $25 million, while the city will likely be responsible for one-third of the estimated $37-million park and ride cost.
“I think they need to become a couple of key campaign issues and people need to weigh in on them,” Crouse said. “They have such a significant impact on how you finance them, whether you finance them, what the partners are.”
Economic development, which the mayor pushed in this last term, will also be a focus of his campaign. Now that St. Albert has its employment lands designated for industrial development west of the city and is seeing development such as the Costco now under construction in the north, it will need a steady hand to help guide it through what could be a “taxing” growth phase.
“I think people might not understand this, but the development potential is so great that it might be taxing for the city.”
On social issues, Crouse said he wants to push the implementation of the recently passed social master plan, specifically with a view towards reducing crime, which has been trending downwards in St. Albert since 2009.
“I’m looking forward to seeing a very aggressive social disorder campaign to continue to drive that down,” Crouse said.
The environmental master plan will also be up for renewal and the council of the day will have to consult heavily with the community on what its environmental priorities are. He cited the ongoing issue of the poor health of the Sturgeon River as an example.
“How far do we take the issue of the river? What really happens to the river? We have to look at that from a watershed point of view. We might have to get more aggressive with (building) grit separators.”
On property taxes, which are a popular topic in any St. Albert election, Crouse said he believes he has done a good job of holding property taxes to three per cent or less in this last term. He said the city’s spending is tight – it just needs more revenue from the non-residential sector.
“I’ve listened to the community, I’ve kept tight on taxes, I’ve kept tight on spending and I don’t erode services and I feel pretty good that I’ve done that.”
He said he hasn’t heard if there is anyone who might challenge him for the mayor’s chair. In 2007 he defeated Biermanski by more than 5,000 votes. In 2004 he defeated Gary Woo by more than 4,000 votes and Plain by more than 6,500.
Candidates must file their nomination papers Sept. 23. Election day in St. Albert is Oct. 21.
