Angela Cook wants to be your Voice on MD Council

Angela Cook is ready to bring a voice to the residents and female perspective to Municipal District (MD) of Bonnyville Council. She is running for Councillor in Ward 5 and is asking for your vote on October 16th.

“I’ve lived in the area, my whole life. My grandparents were farmers on the one side and the other side was in oil & gas, so I’m well-versed in the area of both sides.” Cook grew up in the MD of Bonnyville and raised her three children, two sons now in university and a daughter in her last year of high school. Cook is a real estate agent with Stratosphere Realty. Her career has given her the opportunity to speak with a lot of MD residents and people in the city of Cold Lake; giving her a unique perspective of the region.

“Aside from the oil & gas industry, urban development was the second biggest industry in the area. It provides jobs for trades people, developing more subdivisions and land.” Cook says watching urban development slow down and the real estate market take a huge slow down, had her realize it was time for her to step up as a leader in the community. “Everyone needs to be aware and part of [the community]. Meeting new people and selling real estate, it was happy-go-lucky. But these last few years, it hasn’t been,” watching people going through foreclosures or selling their property below what they could afford or below value, was tough on Cook. “We have to start having this conversation. It starts at the top, with the oil & gas, and it’s a trickle effect.”

I want to be a part of the bigger picture. I don’t want to stop learning, I want to be a voice for our community. – Angela Cook Councillor Candidate for Ward 5 of the Municipal District of Bonnyville.

Cook believes the MD will start seeing some major changes after the election, “I’m happy it’s no longer the old boys’ club. New people are coming in and there’s going to be new voices. It’s time for a change.” There are three Councillor positions in the MD that will not have incumbents running; Ward 1, Ward 4 and Ward 6.

Regional Corporation

“I love working with people, I love working with people and I love listening to people,” Cook says she is a listener and a goal for her will be to bring back town hall-style meetings to give residents their voice back. “Everyone’s voice matters and it’s time to unite and all come to the table.”

Cook hopes to mend bridges between the four municipalities in the region; the MD, Glendon, Bonnyville and Cold Lake. “There’s resentment all over the place. When you’re in Bonnyville it’s one way and when you’re in Cold Lake it’s another way. We need to mend those relationships.”

“When I believe in something, it’s 24/7,” Cook is very passionate and will bring that passion to the MD. “The biggest thing for me is a regional corporation. We live in a diverse area here, we have the city, the towns, the village and the MD. Everyone brings something unique to the table and everyone deserves to be heard.”

Communication with Residents

Throughout [this campaign] my biggest thing is educating the people. There seems to be a lot people who feel a disconnect from the government,” having heard this comment a few times on the campaign trial, Cook research what information was available and how it was available. “There seems to be enough information, if you want to search different websites for it. I feel as the government aspect, we have failed the citizens in getting the information out to the people. You should be to get on the phone and talk to your Councillor, you should be able to come in and voice your concerns to Council. People should not be afraid or sit there quiet. They should feel comfortable coming forward and talking about your concerns.”

Crime

“Instead of being reactive, we need to be more proactive,” Cooks says she would like to see all the leaders of the different municipalities in the area and the RCMP sit down and come up with a plan to combat crime. “We need to examine things and ask ourselves, ‘how did we get here?’. Once we have everyone together, then we can start working on a solution.” Cook supports the proposition of the MD funding more RCMP members. New members could come with a price tag of $150,000 per member. “Everybody’s safety is important. We have to stop thinking about where’s this money coming from and we need to start figuring out where help is needed. If the funding is there, what are we waiting for?”

Vote

“Get out and vote. Everybody has something to say and the best way to be heard is by voting.” The election is on Monday, October 16th. For more information as to where and when to vote, visit md.bonnyville.ab.ca.

Voting Stations

Residents must vote in a Voting Station corresponding to the Ward that they reside in. For example, if you live in Ward 5, you must vote in one of the Ward 5 Voting Stations.

Not sure which Ward you live in? Click here for the Ward map (updated 2013).

Tentatively, Voting Stations will be open at the following locations:

• Ward 1 – Beaverdam Hall, Fort Kent Seniors Hall, Bonnyville Seniors’ Drop-In Centre
• Ward 2 – Eastbourne Community Hall, Shaw House, Bonnyville Seniors’ Drop-In Centre
• Ward 3 – Flat Lake Hall, Goodridge Jubilee Hall, Glendon RCMP Hall 
• Ward 4 – Lessard Community Hall, Willow Prairie Community Hall, Bonnyville Senior Drop-In Centre 
• Ward 5 – Ardmore Senior Citizens Club, Alexander Hall, Riverhurst Hall
• Ward 6 – Cold Lake Energy Centre, Cherry Grove Hall

 

 

 

Lakeland Connect supports all candidates in the upcoming election. To book an interview, contact Jena at 780-207-5898 or connect@lakelandconnect.net.