Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
Basil Byrd has thrown his hat into the ring as one of three mayoral candidates during this upcoming municipal election on Oct. 18.
In an email interview, Byrd said the community was his motivation to run for mayor, adding how there have been few choices when it comes to electing a leader.
鈥淲e all play a part in this town, and I feel like community involvement in the decisions that the past council members and mayor in general have made has become stagnant,鈥� he said.
鈥淲e are barely making baby steps here. We can no longer be stuck in this loop. We need affirmative action and to use our power of influence to change the things we actually have control over.鈥�
Born and raised in Jasper, Byrd is 33 years old and continues to work in town as a front-line worker and raise his family.
鈥淚鈥檝e always believed I鈥檇 never be happier living anywhere else, and I still feel lucky to call this place home, no matter how hard and trying it can be,鈥� he said.
鈥淚鈥檓 hardly your regular politician, although this is my fourth election. I鈥檓 just simply an honest, genuine Jasper local offering my services to my community.鈥�
Byrd asserted that Jasper鈥檚 biggest issue was its relationship with Parks Canada, noting the lack of progress on this front over the past 20 years.
鈥淚f elected, I will be there to actually challenge Parks and call them out on their inconsistency and overall hardship they have put us through over the years,鈥� Byrd said.
鈥淧arks Canada is not some unstoppable, bullet-proof dictator, and when they get put under the microscope, I鈥檓 sure we can find the wiggle room we need to address our main issue here: housing.鈥�
Byrd also said the municipality needed to address the cost of living and more insight into projects to avoid more wasted opportunities.
When it comes to the qualities a good leader should have, Byrd emphasized honesty.
鈥淪traight-up, communicated honesty can be a political nightmare, but when I give my word, that truly means something to me,鈥� Byrd said.
鈥淚 look for representation when choosing a leader. If you cannot honestly represent the majority, there is no real following. I鈥檓 simply here to represent.
Byrd encouraged everyone who is able to vote to do so.
鈥淥ur world is changing and we need to adapt with it,鈥� he added.
鈥淚 may not be the most likely candidate but with so little choices I feel obligated to run. I can only promise that there is work to be done, and I am here to help with it. I鈥檓 looking forward to the future, although it may be a difficult one. We will get through this.鈥�
