The Jasper Fitzhugh solicited profiles from the mayoral candidates for this upcoming municipal election. The profiles have been listed by surname alphabetically.
Paul Butler
I want to start by thanking my supporters for your support, and my detractors for your tolerance. I've heard from many of you on both sides over the past month. I've listened, and I've heard you all. I appreciate the support and I've benefited from your criticisms.
I've lived here for fifty-or-so years. I've worked a variety of jobs both in and out of the hospitality sector. I've worked hard, employed many, I've both succeeded and failed in business. I raised my family here and have experienced Jasper life from diverse perspectives. I'm experienced, connected throughout, and passionate about, my community. I'm committed to inclusivity, diversity and the democratic process at the local level.
The role of Councillor is one I've taken especially seriously and I've worked hard in various portfolios and fields. My particular areas of engagement have included the Seniors Bus project, Affordable Housing, Seniors Housing, and I've been active and engaged on issues of financial and fiscal oversight. I'm currently Chair of the Jasper Community Housing Corporation as well as Chair of The Evergreen Foundation, having sat on both boards for my entire tenure on Council. Over the years I have collaborated effectively in various realms for positive community outcomes.
I think the next four years will be pivotal for Jasper. Our community has changed so much, and the change continues. We have to be ready for and responsive to those changes. The challenges of the coming twenty years will not be the same as those we faced over the past twenty and we need to bring a new view, and a refreshed outlook to the Council table. I believe I can lead Council in that direction.
There are three areas I look forward to remaining focused on should I earn the honour of being elected: affordable housing; budget and financial accountability; and obtaining and exercising autonomy over critical community planning decisions.
I'm committed to working with Councillors – and residents generally – of varied and diverse background, identity and persuasions. It's so important that beliefs and opinions of all kinds be represented and considered when decisions are made. Diversity of opinion within our community is not threatening; it's our strength! My approach is to lead collaboratively within a culture of diversity and inclusivity. The best decisions are made not by consensus between like-minded people, but through open and vigorous debate among those of differing and divergent views, representing the beautiful diversity of our community.
Basil Byrd
Jasper is and always will be my hometown. I was born here in Jasper in 1988, went to both Jasper Elementary and Jasper High School, and have worked in and supported locally my entire life. My son is now attending Jasper Elementary School, and I am beyond proud to be able to let my son be raised in this town, attend the same school as I did, and I wouldn’t want him to grow up anywhere else. I am so grateful to have an understanding of Jasper’s history, passed down by our community's elders. Likewise, we are also so fortunate to be living in a town that is known for being ambitious and inspiring. Jasper is the perfect mix of tradition and progress, it’s the unique blend of the two that makes our home so desirable.
That said, I have the average small family with a young child, my wife and I both work full time and we rent our home. We are fortunate enough to have found stable residence here but not without the familiar struggle of trying to find fair rent in a decent space. I’m sure this isn’t an unfamiliar story to you, the reader, perhaps yourself or someone you know has been through the same. My motivation for running is individuals and families like myself; I want to bring the voice of the average resident of Jasper, working for and putting money back into the community. I want to make it sustainable for families like mine to live and work here, raise a family here, and give them the opportunity to experience Jasper like I was fortunate to be able to.
If given the opportunity to be mayor, I aim to not only advocate for families, the small local businesses, and the employees that are this town's backbone but I am determined to take immediate action on our current situations. There are so many opportunities that have gone to waste and I cannot wait to share with you all what I have in mind. No more wasted opportunities. No more half-baked solutions.
Richard Ireland
Jasper is my home; your home. I care deeply about the future of our community and its residents.
I offer to continue my service to community on the basis of an established and proven approach, grounded in respect, integrity, inclusion and patience, focused on the community as a whole.
I serve residents. I approach issues through the eyes of residents, whether recent or long-term, working or retired, employers or employees, owners or renters - or those still in search of available, affordable accommodation. Our common bond is that we are all residents of this exceptional community.
I serve community aspirations. I strive to be a leader who will assist in achieving those aspirations.
Together, we achieved the community aspiration of local autonomy; still, some elements of full autonomy are denied to us. On the horizon is a fresh opportunity to re-address the elimination of land rent, and the transfer of jurisdiction over land use planning and development. To better secure our future, we aspire to increased local control and accountability. I believe I can contribute.
I believe we share a community aspiration that within our unique setting as a small, relatively remote, isolated, primarily unified and cohesive, single industry, tourism destination community, nestled in magnificent, protected wilderness, we can - and we should - focus our efforts on sustaining a culture of unity.
Leading by example, I have always sought to instill a culture of collaboration, a culture of consensus, a culture of governance which promotes unity and the interests of the community as a whole.
I offer my service because I remain committed to the future of our community. I believe that a culture of collaboration is worth retaining and growing, worth fostering and entrenching. I believe that on the basis of a collaborative effort our community operates with so much better balance and cohesion than would otherwise be the case. As we have seen through the pandemic, there is such strength and resilience in unity; strength and resilience which will serve us so well as together we face the changes and the challenges of tomorrow and beyond.
I offer to serve on the basis of my values, my approach, my record and my promise.
I have only ever promised two things: to apply myself diligently to the best of my ability; and to govern with openness, honesty, integrity, and respect.
On October 18, I seek your support.
Please vote.
