Kristi Cooper is looking forward to making a difference in the community.
Cooper was elected as Golden’s new mayor in the municipal election on Oct. 17, securing 56 per cent of the votes, with a total tally of 717. Cooper beat out former councillor Wes Routley for the top job, who received 548 votes or 42.8 per cent.
Cooper said she was nervous on the big night but felt the support coming from her community.
“My heart was pounding, but it’s very exciting. It was a real community effort,” said Cooper.
She credits the community for coming out and making things happen.
“There were a lot of times that I had spoken with community members, seniors, young families, new residents, longtime residents, and it really was a team effort with the conversation that I was having with the community. It feels great to feel supported by our community, and I’m looking to the future for what I can bring for right now,” said Cooper.
Cooper said campaigning in the age of technology was different and she’s excited to get started.
“Campaigning it is about connecting with people and speaking with the community, but it is also intimidating. We do have a new world, a social world of media and how we react and how things are presented, so there are complexities that do put you out there, and it is hard,” said Cooper.
She adds that the relief didn’t come right after she was elected but more so after Tuesday’s council meeting.
“I guess I felt more relief as of yesterday when our last council meeting was over for our outgoing council. Now we can look to the future and what we can do as a new council.” said Cooper.
Cooper said her first priority is meeting with councillors and senior staff, and getting on the same page.
“Well first priority is really just meeting with the council and senior staff, we do have a relatively large incoming new council, so it is important to work through some training, expectations and how we’re going to proceed.” said Cooper.
As an easy first accomplishment as mayor Cooper plans to introduce office hours so Golden residents can speak with her directly.
“One of the first easy ones that I’m going to do is, I’m gonna start some office hours for the mayor so that the community will be able to have more time to come speak directly or email or phone and just be available that way. So that’s kind of gonna be one of the first quick ones, otherwise it’s gonna be going through establishing a new council, and what our priorities are gonna be over the next term.” said Cooper.
After getting acquainted with each other, Cooper said the budget will be one of the council’s first major responsibilities.
“Our budgets are our very first thing with the new council, so it’s gonna be time for the new council to really dig their teeth in, start engaging and learning so we can make informed decisions over our budgeting period,” said Cooper.
Cooper went on to thank outgoing councillors for their experience and for laying a foundation for the new council.
“I do want to thank the outgoing council, there was years of experience, with one member being on council for 30 years and the work that the council did the last term really was setting a foundation for success for the next council,” said Cooper.
She also acknowledged everyone who put their name on a ballot saying it’s a tough job to put yourself out there.
“I want to thank everyone who put their name out there to run for council. It’s not an easy task to do, but at the same time the commitment of the candidates was amazing, to know that we’re gonna have diversity, but our community is gonna be supported, and the connection with the local government will be represented.” said Cooper.
Cooper finished off the interview with thanks to the community.
“I just wanna say thanks to the community, it’s been a whirlwind, I’ve enjoyed it and I can’t wait to get to work for all the residents” said Cooper.
Cooper will be joined by Stuart Angus, Ron Oszust, Janet Crandall, Justin Baun, David M Ratzlaff, and Calvin Beauchesne who are the six elected councillors for Golden.
Angus led the pack with 72.3 percent, a total of 926 votes, followed by Oszust who received 66 per cent, 846 votes, then Crandall who received 816 votes or 63.7 per cent, the comes Baun with 55.8 percent and 715 votes, onto Ratzlaff with 53.1 and 680 votes, followed by Beauchesne who received 620 votes or 48.4 per cent.
