Below are the two candidate profiles (in alphabetical order) for the M.D. of Lesser Slave River reeve. The election will be October 20. On Oct. 20 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., LSR has four polling stations: Flatbush Community Complex, Smith Community Complex, M.D. Main office, and Widewater Community Complex.
Ryan Cooper running for M.D. 124 reeve
Pearl Lorentzen
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeside Leader
Ryan Cooper is a Flatbush businessman. He is running for reeve of the M.D. of Lesser Slave River.
Cooper is an electrician and millwright. He and his partner own three businesses in the Flatbush area: one using his trade, plus the Flatbush Store, and the golf course by Flatbush.
“So we’re busy,” says Cooper.
Asked why he is running for reeve, Cooper says, “I think it’s time for a change. I wish more people were running. I think it is time to start looking at how we’re helping small businesses without our borders … I think we can do better.”
The current small business tax rate makes it difficult to start a small business, says Cooper. “We can’t be sinking them with over the top property tax.”
Cooper thinks his business experience will be a benefit to council.
“Municipal government is in the business of infrastructure,” says Cooper.
Cooper has two red seal trades and has managed teams that build infrastructure.
“I’d like to bring some efficiency to the M.D. as a whole,” says Cooper.
“M.D. 124’s a really special place,” says Cooper, but he thinks the M.D. has overreached into areas it has no business being involved in. Examples include sending the peace officer to order people to clean up their land.
Unsightly properties “are not the biggest concerns,” says Cooper.
Another complaint Cooper has is that the Mitsue industrial area had only half water pressure for a while because of a break at the water plant.
The mills and other industry pay a lot of municipal taxes, says Cooper. “They’ve certainly earned the right to full water pressure.”
Cooper moved to Flatbush almost nine years ago, to join his partner, who is from the area.
Cooper ran in the last M.D. election, but didn’t win a spot on council.
Murray Kerik seeking re-election as reeve
Pearl Lorentzen
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeside Leader
Incumbent Murray Kerik is running for re-election as reeve of M.D. of Lesser Slave River because of unfinished business.
“I want to makes sure we stay until the end of 88,” he says, referring to the the M.D.’s push for the province to rebuild Hwy. 88 from Slave Lake north.
Work started on 3 km this fall, but Kerik wants to remain on council until it is done.
The other big project is the replacement of the Smith Bridge.
The M.D. has been told by the province that it is approved, he says, but hasn’t seen any money. The M.D. finished the design this fall. Built during WWII the bridge has needed to be replaced for years. It is too narrow for a combine and can’t hand the weight of big trucks.
“They’re (the province is) making a lot of money from that area,” says Kerik, referring to the oilfield royalties from oil and gas wells on the other side of the bridge.
Kerik would like to see other infrastructure in the next four years, including M.D. truck fill water stations at Bayer Road and Poplar Lane, and a new fire hall in Smith.
Kerik has been on council for five terms, two (three year terms) as a councillor and the last three (four year terms) as reeve.
Asked for highlights from his time on council, Kerik says, “We have managed to keep our tax rates low … I’m kind of proud we’ve lived within our means.”
“Regionally we’re starting to get our act together and work together,” adds Kerik, referring to the Alberta North Central Alliance (five First Nations and five municipalities) and Lesser Slave Regional Tourism Society.
Kerik lives on the farm his grandfather started by Flatbush. Kerik grew up in Grande Prairie. In 1986, he, his wife and children moved to the farm.
“My dad talked me into coming up for three years to make up my mind,” says Kerik. “Quite happy we stayed.”
