Cowan says city can’t afford higher taxes, utilities

Gord Cowan says he’s ready to put a full and dedicated effort into being a city councillor, listen to questions and give answers if elected.

“I think that’s important. I think you really need to spend the time. They say it’s a part-time job but it’s not,” he said. “You’ve got to make sure you are dedicated to the position, that you are willing to work with people and talk to people and try to understand what they want.”

Cowan, an insurance broker in Medicine Hat for 35 years before retiring recently, said there’s been dysfunction at city hall the last few years and that’s engaged the electorate.

“They want to see things happen,” he said of city voters.

His priority if elected would be to build some cohesiveness at city hall.

“We have to have proper organization and focus on the task at hand,” Cowan said.

Addressing the affordability issue for Hatters also ranks high on his to do list, citing young members of his family who are trying to secure reasonably priced homes for themselves and children.

There might not be anything he can do about the housing market, Cowan says there are steps the city can take.

“What we can control is outrageous taxes, utility bills that just don’t make any sense at all – service charges, this charge, that charge – it’s just not right,” he said.

Cowan says he and his wife have a modest two-bedroom home with a monthly bill of $875 for taxes and utilities.

Crime and homelessness are also an issue he’d like to tackle.

“The city has to participate and work with the various social net within the city provided by volunteers and other groups,” Cowan said. “It is a problem that can be solved. You are never going to eliminate homelessness but what you’ve got to be able to do is make it a manageable problem.”

He says he’s hearing from Hatters they are scarred or uncomfortable visiting parts of the city.

“They are just not comfortable. Medicine Hat is a small city, and you should be comfortable going anywhere,” he said.

Cowan said he brings a half-dozen years of experience sitting on the Food Bank board, ten years on Alberta Insurance Council and four years on the industry’s national board.

That experience required working with people, expectations and a sense of professionalism.

“You are not always going to get your way but you get to understand what other people are saying,” Cowan said.

When it comes to transparency at city hall, Cowan pointed to Division Avenue.

“Where was the transparency? I have yet to go to a home in Medicine Hat in my door knocking and find one person that likes what happened to Division Avenue,” he said.

Cowan said when it came to the revamped Division Avenue, city hall didn’t communicate with Hatters nor listen when issues were raised.

And when it comes to communications with residents, giving an answer to a question is what people are seeking.

“If someone phones you and asks you a question, give them an answer. If someone approaches you with a question, give them an answer,” Cowan said. “It may not be the answer they want but it’s an answer you are comfortable to give.”