Turner Valley residents were invited to the Valley Neighbours Club on Tuesday night for a conversation with Highwood MLA RJ Sigurdson.

President of the Okotoks and District Chamber of Commerce Sara Noyes hosted the event, presenting a variety of questions to Sigurdson, with an opportunity for attendees to ask questions of their own.

Sigurdson says he places a lot of value in events such as this.

"The best thing I can do is to get out and get back into the community after we've finished session, to be able to hear the issues, concerns, and needs of the residents in the area. This is the part that's the most crucial to my job, to make sure I'm putting myself in front of as many people as possible."

The discussion covered a wide range of topics, including rural policing, education, and the environment.

Mounting concerns over public sector jobs were also a major theme of the discussion, something Sigurdson says he was glad to address.

"We battle a lot of misinformation on social media, so it's very impactful when I come out and I'm able to express the government facts about the changes, and what we're doing and why we're doing them. I think it gives a better explanation and it alleviates some of the anxiety and fear mongering that happens on social media."

He says he'd like to participate in more of these kinds of events, especially with some of the changes and hurdles the UCP will face in the coming months.

"I want to continue to put myself in front of the constituents of Highwood as much as possible to be able to explain to them, be accountable to them, and to be able to have a chance to address these issues head-on."

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