Economic development will be the focus for one candidate in next month's municipal byelection. Long-time resident and local business owner Murtaza Jamaly says he wants to work with council on developing employment opportunities in town.
Economic development will be the focus for one candidate in next month's municipal byelection.
Long-time resident and local business owner Murtaza Jamaly says he wants to work with council on developing employment opportunities in town.
'The biggest thing is growth as a community," Jamaly said. 'I think that attracting new business to the community is what's going to attract young families to the area.
'If we're attracting high-investment, high-calibre, high-number companies to invest in our local economy, those are the things that are going to bring jobs.
'More jobs means more families, more spending, more incentives in the local economy and a larger tax base, which means we're not stressing out the existing tax base."
Describing himself as a libertarian with fiscally conservative but socially liberal leanings, Jamaly is a political science and economics graduate from the University of Alberta who's dedicated to his life in Westlock.
He says his work with seniors, as well as the municipal planning commission, has given him an understanding of both the successes and challenges facing the town.
'I feel strongly about seniors' accessibility. I want to make sure the Town of Westlock does continue to strive for the best senior accessibility in the community.
'I think it's important to remember seniors are the foundational members of our community."
In line with his fiscal approach, Jamaly believes that high-levels of recreational spending have failed in their intended purpose of spurring growth.
'Recreation does take a large chunk of the Westlock budget," he said. 'I think that fostering good rec services in the community is important, but not at the expense of infrastructure and key services."
Jamaly praised the current council in a number of areas citing new development bylaws and a simplified process for permit approvals.
As for healing the ever-growing rift between the town and county, Jamaly's approach would be more talks.
'I think opening the channels and finding agreement on all services is a situation where strong communication and building better relationships with county, and not just the county of Westlock but other communities in the area, will go along way to improve the basic agreements."
Jamaly's libertarian slant mean he'd lean towards a generally hands-off approach and not try to micromanage every aspect of the municipality.
But while he has his own ideas about improving the town and life for those who live in it, he acknowledges that if he were elected, it would be his job to represent all constituents.
'I think it's most important to remember that we are elected to represent the views of the local community and I'm happy to listen to the concerns of the individuals and ensure that those views are translated effectively to council rather than laying my own set of values on all the time."
