Tapper seeking re-election to Mackenzie council, focused on collaboration and community growth

“This is my 10th year in Mackenzie,” Tapper said. “I moved here with a very young child and my wife because Mackenzie offered me a teaching position.”

Now completing his first term on council, Tapper said his motivation for seeking office has always been a desire to be directly involved in shaping the community’s future.

“I want to be part of the decision-making process,” he said. “I want to have a say in it.”

Rather than watching from the sidelines, Tapper said he believes elected officials have a responsibility to be informed and engaged in the issues affecting their communities.

“I don’t want to be sitting on the sidelines and not being informed, or just listening to gossip going around and thinking that’s true,” he said.

Tapper said he has viewed his role on council as an opportunity to work with colleagues and residents to address challenges facing Mackenzie, particularly as the community continues to navigate economic uncertainty.

“I want to be part of the process that helps get this town back up on its feet,” he said.

Reflecting on the last four years, Tapper described his first term as a significant learning experience. He said serving on council helped him gain a better understanding of local government and the complexities involved in municipal decision-making.

“The learning curve is steep,” he said.

Despite the challenges, Tapper said the current council has worked well together and has maintained a collaborative approach to local governance.

“You look at some of the negative interactions that councils and mayors have had all across Canada,” he said. “I am very fortunate that we have a very cohesive council at the moment and that we’ve been able to work together.”

If re-elected, Tapper said his priorities would largely remain the same as when he first ran for office: working collaboratively to improve the quality of life for residents and support the future of the community.

“The priorities are what can we do, working together as a council, to help the residents of the town,” he said.

Among the areas he highlighted were improving communication, maintaining dialogue with local industry and encouraging creative solutions to community challenges.

“Talking to industry, being creative and working together for the betterment of the residents and the betterment of the town itself,” Tapper said.

He also acknowledged that difficult decisions are sometimes necessary in municipal government but said those decisions are best made through cooperation and public engagement.

“In the last four years we had to make tough decisions,” he said. “But I want to be part of those discussions, working with my fellow council members, talking to the public and hearing what people have to say.”

Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your inbox every evening.

—

Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com

by Adam Berls

Tapper seeking re-election to Mackenzie council, focused on collaboration and community growth

What's Trending