Local resident Bob Szasz is looking to represent Division 6 constituents on Lacombe County council.
Residents head to the polls on Oct. 16th.
He said one of the primary reasons he is running is because of his tax increase, and he felt strongly that he wanted to have a say in that.
Szasz, who lives near Sylvan Lake, has served on Lacombe County council before, from 2001 to 2006.
That extensive experience would serve him well this time around, should he be elected again, he said. This time, he’s running against incumbent Keith Stephenson. He also wants to give constituents an alternative on election day.
“I think every division should have a choice,” he said, adding that he also believes councillors should only be able to serve three terms at the most. “You need new ideas in there.”
Meanwhile, there are some other things he’d like to see changed with the County council going ahead.
“I would like to see the councillors make more decisions instead of administration making the decisions,” he explained.
“And I want to see more recorded votes, so we know how our councillors voted instead of being ‘yes’ men.”
As mentioned, Szasz is concerned about tax increases, and said the County doesn’t need those increases that have come down the pipe.
“Lacombe is the second richest county in Alberta - why should they be raising taxes?”
Meanwhile, as mentioned, highlights of his platform include a past stint on County council for six years plus service on several committees including Regional Fire Service, Disaster Services, Regional Solid Waste, Lacombe Regional Ambulance and Eckville Emergency Services.
He was also instrumental in establishing a passport office in Red Deer.
“The residents of Lacombe County are blessed with some of the finest agricultural land, an abundance of clean water as well as a favourable climate of rich resources of oil and gas, and above all good people with knowledge and ambition to make positive use of these resources.”
Looking back, Szasz, a retired farmer, said he enjoyed being on council previously - he enjoyed meeting constituents and hearing their concerns and opinions.
Ultimately, Szasz said he believes Lacombe County should be supportive of the residents’ enterprises while respecting each others’ rights.
He said council should also provide an environment where agricultural and urban populations can live in harmony, and that council should be receptive to industrial development that is environmentally accountable while providing opportunities to its residents.
“Therefore it is my aim to ensure a strong future for agriculture and the family farm, as well as the urban residents of the County.”
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