Another well-known High River resident will be on the ballots for this month's municipal election.

Jamie Barton is known for volunteering with the High River Rotary Club and sitting on a few different municipal committees, where his time spent has prompted him to run in this month's election.

"When I had a few people actually asking me if I would consider it, and when I started really looking at the whole process I thought you know what, this town has given me so much, especially in the past 10 years and I just feel that this is a really good opportunity to give back to the community and actually have a voice at a little bit of a different level."

Barton might be more well known for the work of his son Tate Barton and his lemonade stand which raised money for the High River Cancer Centre, which he says really opened his eyes to what the community is truly about.

Although the past couple of years have been tough on everyone, Barton says he's ready for what's yet to come.

"Overall I think the town has handled the pandemic pretty well. We were all in challenging times, even personally I was having challenges when making choices on various things when considering my family, not to mention councillors and administration trying to make those same decisions for the entire town."

He adds, "I don't envy the position but I understand that's what councillors are there for and I'm certainly up for the challenge."

As for the big pool referendum, Barton says he feels everyone should be responding 'yes.'

"Now that I have clarity on what the question is trying to ask, I think we all need to vote yes, and when I say 'we' I mean the next council and the community can start developing a plan and moving forward."

"I think we definitely need something new for the pool, but I'm not 100% sold on that location (Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex) for a number of different reasons," Barton says.

Barton says the more amenities we add to the current complex, the tighter the space will get.

He adds it may be worth looking at adding a new centre to slowly develop over time.

Other items Barton says are important to him are improving communications from the town to residents, and economic development.

 

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