Campaign kicks off for Fort McMurray's first new mayor in over a decade

Ten months after the devastating wildfire, Fort McMurray is nearing a crossroads as the campaign to elect the city's first new mayor in more than 10 years kicks off.

"This election is extremely important for all the people of Fort McMurray," said voter PeterValing, hours afterlawyer Don Scott announced his intention to seek the mayor's chair in October.

Manyin Fort McMurray are in dire straits and citizens need new municipal leadership to help give the economy the jolt it needs, said maintenance worker BillAlba.

"For me it is so slow. My hours are getting cut," Alba said. "A lot of people have left Fort Mac and have gone to live in other places."

'Running to restore confidence'

After months of rumour and speculation, Scott, a former Progressive ConservativeMLA andprovincial cabinet minister, formally announced his candidacy Monday morning.

"I am running to restore confidence in the region and its government," hetold supporters at the Fort McMurraylegion.

Melissa Blakehas served as mayor for four terms, butsaid she willnot run again.

Blake led the oilsands capital through aboom town trajectory that saw it outgrow its housing capacity and infrastructure.

She was also at the helm as thewildfire tore through the city,destroyingover 2400 homes, one of the country's costliest insured disasters.

The city was already struggling throughone of the province's worst recessions in history.

'Too much grandstanding'

Someresidents have said the mayor and municipal council have notdone enough to get people back in their homes or building new onessoon enough.

Scottsupporterand local PCparty presidentSteve Autysaid manyvoters are tired of the current mayor and council.

"I am seeing too much politics and too much grandstanding and not enough long term governance," Auty said.

Scott agreedit's time for change.

"Some of our councillors have taken steps (that) residents question," Scott said. "House priceshave dropped. People are leaving this community. Many are struggling to rebuild their homes."

Scott tooksubtle shots at the federal government, suggesting it has ignored Fort McMurray.

"I believe that [Fort McMurray's] confidence has been shaken," Scott said. "Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has visited our region once since the fire the biggest natural disaster to hit Canada."

He also went afterthe province'sBill 21, the Modernized Municipal Government Act, warning it could significantly reduce the city's tax revenues.

The bill capsthe ratiobetween the highest non-residential tax rate and the lowest residential tax rate.

"Premier Notley is implementing Bill 21, which is fundamentally going to change the tax structure of our region," Scott said.

Scott said his website outlines five key pillars he will focus on during the campaign.

He also said he is committed to constructing better secondary access roads to Fort McMurray's communities, removing obstacles to obtaining building rebuild permits and sitting down with residents to understand their concerns.

Scott also said he's also committed to seeing an aging in place facility that has been long called for in Fort McMurray.

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