The first bid for the Okotoks mayoral race has been submitted.

Okotoks Councillor Carrie Fischer has sat on council for four years after being elected in 2013, and has decided to run for Mayor of Okotoks during the 2017 Municipal Election.

Fischer says she wanted to get her bid out early before summer to get people thinking about the upcoming October election, she says she wants to lead the conversations around Okotoks' growth.

"We're at a very important time in Okotoks' future as we're setting up and understanding what annexation means, what our community wants to do with the land, how our community wants the town to grow, and what they want it to look like when we get there. I wanted to start leading that discussion, and having that conversation with our residents."

Fischer shares her ideas have always been community focused, and she would like to be the spearhead of maintaining core values of family, friendship, and connectedness.

"Our community really values that small town feel, and mostly it's defined by that connection with neighbors and understanding and knowing who the people in the community are. That will always be very centric to what I'm doing, whether I'm running for council or Mayor."

Strong economic development and growth is also part of her platform, as well as keeping a balance of town annexation, and growth.

"Making sure that we've got the ground work, and framework in place to grow a sustainable community going forward. Also making sure that we're having strong, and sometimes difficult conversations with our residents as we plan this out."

The Town of Okotoks Municipal Election will be held on October 16, 2017.

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