On Wednesday, November 13th, the residents of Churchbridge will head to the polls to elect their new mayor and town councillors. Kat King was interviewed about infrastructure, healthcare, her hobbies, policing and taxation. King is a passionate candidate for mayor, who spoke about her motivations, plans, and the challenges the town faces.
“The state of infrastructure is seriously in trouble”
When asked about the current state of Churchbridge’s infrastructure, Kat King said, “From what I know, the infrastructure in this town is seriously in trouble. It’s one of the reasons I’ve stood before council in the past, to voice these concerns. If I’m elected mayor, addressing these issues will be my top priority.”
She pointed to several areas of concern, including snow removal, the condition of lift stations, and the ongoing challenges with water management. “Snow removal is going to have to be dealt with—whether we have the right equipment or not. I’ve already seen issues that could have been fixed with better foresight.”
King expressed frustration with past spending decisions, such as the $850,000 allocated to the Maple and Cedar Crescent extension project. “That project could have waited, and instead, those funds could have been used for essential things like snow removal equipment or road maintenance. I’ll be honest, there’s no forgiving decisions like that. It wasn’t the right priority at the time.”
As mayor, King plans to carefully review the town’s infrastructure and ensure funds are allocated responsibly moving forward. “We need a night crew ready to clear snowfalls as they happen. Key services, like mail delivery and school buses, can’t be disrupted because streets aren’t cleared in time. We need to act, not wait for problems to pile up.”
Healthcare Access and Transportation: “This town needs a bus.”
King highlighted transportation as a major gap in Churchbridge’s healthcare system, expressing concern about residents travelling to medical appointments in nearby cities.
“This town needs a bus. A nine-passenger vehicle could be purchased mostly through grants, and we could train a couple of drivers to operate it. I’ve heard too many stories of people having surgeries and appointments in winter, terrified to drive those roads. That’s not sustainable.”
King also emphasized the importance of having local medical support beyond transportation: “We still have a pharmacy, but no pharmacist. I want to explore the possibility of bringing in a nurse practitioner to handle basic healthcare services. Even small steps like that could make a big difference for our community.”
Personal Skills and Vision: A Craftswoman with Practical Expertise
Beyond her passion for civic issues, King brings a mix of personal skills and career experiences.
“I’m an artist and a crafter. I sold my first painting at 12 and later became a stained glass and ceramics master. I’ve also worked in construction and know how to read and draw blueprints. My understanding of contracts and business systems will be crucial in this role.”
King’s varied background includes experience in security, high-level retail management, and culinary arts. “I’ve always juggled different jobs; everything from tech support to training animals. I even ran my own contracting business, which gave me hands-on experience in project management. All of this will help me navigate the complexities of managing the town.”
She added that her personality, open, approachable, and direct, would be a benefit. “People will always know where to find me. I’m often at Tony’s having a coffee. If they see my car parked out front, they can drop in, and I’ll listen to them, whether we agree or not.”
Policing and Community Safety: “We need to watch each other’s backs.”
King also touched on the importance of community safety, drawing from personal experience. “Recently, someone fired an air gun at my windshield while my car was parked at Tony’s. The cracks aren’t in my line of sight, but it’s frustrating, and I didn’t get much help from the RCMP.”
If elected, King plans to strengthen relationships between the town and law enforcement. “We need better communication with the RCMP. But more importantly, we need to look out for each other as a community. Strategic use of security cameras and encouraging people to lock their doors will go a long way.”
She also stressed the need to improve the campground’s security and lighting. “That campground is a money-maker for the town, but it’s been left neglected for too long. We’ll fix that.”
Municipal Taxation: A Focus on Efficiency and Fairness
King made it clear that addressing water rates and property assessments would be key parts of her taxation strategy.
“I’ve sat through meetings where it seemed like the only focus was on how much revenue the town could make off water usage. But conservation saves processing costs. Nobody seems to be thinking that through.”
She explained that some residents are paying more than their fair share for water, while others are underpaying. “We need balance. I also want to explore the possibility of using referendums and surveys to ensure tax decisions reflect what residents want, instead of surprising them with sudden increases.”
King aims to stabilize taxes as much as possible by focusing on grants, donations, and volunteerism. “Raising taxes should be the last resort. There are other ways to fund projects if we’re smart about it.”
Respecting Volunteers and Community Involvement
King emphasized the importance of volunteers in the community. “We need to show more respect for the people who volunteer their time and energy. I’ll dig into what’s going on behind the scenes.”
She proposed a backup plan for emergencies saying, “If any organization can’t fulfill its duties, the town will step in and they’ll get the bill. We can’t leave people in vulnerable situations because someone didn’t show up.”
A No-Nonsense Approach to Leadership
Throughout the interview, King was candid about her goals and challenges. “I’m not running to be liked—I’m running to fix things. If elected, I’ll dive into the town’s records, understand what went wrong, and make sure we do things right moving forward.”
She expressed confidence in the support she could receive from the council. We will use their expertise—and everyone else’s—because this is about teamwork.”
Final Thoughts: A Call for Community Feedback
King closed the interview by urging residents to share their concerns with her. “I can’t fix what I don’t know about. I need people to come to me and say, ‘This is what’s happening.’ I’ll be at Tony’s, ready to listen, and I’ll buy you a coffee too”. King can also be contacted by phone as well.
The upcoming election on November 13th will be a pivotal moment for Churchbridge. With her practical expertise, diverse background, and straightforward approach, Kat King hopes to steer the town toward a more sustainable and community-centred future.
“Believe me. When I say I’m going to do something, I do it.”