City of Cranbrook Councillor Diana J. Scott is running for re-election.

“With three years under my belt, I’m more confident than ever that this is what I love to do and that I’m doing it well,” she said.

Scott first ran for election in 2008, after an eight-year stint in broadcasting.  She was the local radio stations’ morning news anchor, reporter, and ultimately news director before she left to take a public relations job in mining.  “With radio, I got to wake up with people and tell them all the goings-on in their community; as councillor, I get to listen to people and help make decisions for the betterment of the community.”

“I’m very proud of the work the current council has done over the past three years, starting with the much-needed longterm agreement with the Kootenay Ice hockey team.  It was very important that we kept the Ice in Cranbrook – important for the fans and for the economy.”  That is just the first of many accomplishments of council.  Scott encourages you to pick up a copy of the City’s annual report.   “You’d be amazed what gets accomplished each year.”

Scott knows roads and infrastructure are always front and centre in people’s minds.  “We’ve come a long, long way in fixing up our roads.  We have a way to go, certainly, but council has been putting money aside each year to deal with the problem and we have done the technical studies to prioritize them.  I can’t say enough about our engineering and public works departments, not only for the work on roads, but also on leak detection, as water conservation is vitally important.  The spray irrigation project upgrade will also help with water conservation and is a progressive, environmentally sound example of Cranbrook leading the way,” she said.

Scott has been very involved with the affordable housing study and the Homeless Shelter Coalition.  Currently, she is also part of the Library Board, the Cranbrook and District Community Foundation, Family and Community Services committee, and is a founding member of the Snow Angels’ shovelling program.  She is also a Director for the East Kootenay Brain Injury Association.  She’s volunteered since the age of 14 and continually upgrades her education.

Currently, Scott owns her own medical transcription business.  “I had to retrain in order to stay in Cranbrook, the place I’ve come to call home.  I was one of the many affected by layoffs in the mining industry in 2009.  That’s why keeping Cranbrook economically viable is so important to me.  I was lucky I was able to retrain.  Not everyone can.  Some would have had to move,” she said, adding, “That’s why we need to expand our tax base and to encourage development.  We need businesses to thrive and we need investment in our community.  Services and amenities are what is going to attract young professionals and young families to come and live here.  With an aging population, we need that younger tax base.”

Scott feels she is the perfect balanced candidate.  “I’m very pragmatic and I’m not a one-issue girl.  I joined council to continue the direction the city has been taking the past decade.  I like the changes that have happened.  The city looks better; the pride is noticeable.  People are excited about the possibilities,” she said.

Scott says she personifies the Cranbrook Connected four pillars: economic, social, cultural, and environmental.  Her main concern is a thriving economy.  She’s also active in many social causes and is an artist and musician.  The city is making strides environmentally, having undertaken many initiatives.  Scott is excited about the biomass project being discussed currently.

She’s also aware Cranbrook has many arts and heritage concerns to deal with the next few years: the fate of the Key City Theatre, finding a permanent location for the Arts Council, and continuing to advocate and find money for the Railway Museum, which will soon boast a new gallery.  Finally, Scott wants to see council put some more money into the Library.  “It needs a little investment and I’d love to see Monday openings.  There’s a really good case for it.”

The best thing about being a councillor, she says, is being able to facilitate groups working together in the community.  “Council only has so much money, but the city can help in different ways.  I love when groups come with ideas and we are able to support them.  So much has been accomplished this way.  That’s what community is about.  That’s why I’m hoping to lead the way the next three years with a progressive, forward-thinking council.”

Article Share