Angela Betts has declared herself the third unofficial candidate for the Town of Athabasca’s open seat on council.
“I am interested in growing our community, not necessarily larger, but deeper,” Betts said. “I would like to see our community engage with our youth and seniors for a stronger future.”
Betts has been raising her three children in Athabasca, and has called the town home for the past six years.
It is her and her husband’s philosophy that it takes a community to raise a child, “but it also takes a child to teach us to reach out to each other.”
Betts believes a community thrives when differences are appreciated, when new systems are created and full potential is reached.
“A successful leader is constantly questioning and evaluating their leadership approach,” she said. “We need to identify and understand the need for change and become an agent for change.”
Betts said she would love to see 10 people running for this one council position.
“I am inspired by this community and by both our triumphs and challenges we face daily in our homes, schools and in our businesses,” she said. “Standing room only in council meetings and community events would be epic, and not only because they see a problem, simply because the people want to be involved.”
Betts believes that everyone should speak about what they believe in, and that their voices be heard.
A community, according to Betts, is a group of people who stand by each other and are passionate about their homes, neighbours, and where they live.
“We (shouldn’t) lay blame or attack, we need to get to the heart of the issue and create strategies together to address the challenges.”
After councillor Christine Nelson stepped down, town council decided to hold a by-election. Nomination day is Jan. 9, so the candidates who have come forward are still unofficial. Joanne Peckham and Barbara Bell have already announced their candidacy.
