Varga begins campaign for 2nd term
Brian Varga is now actively seeking another term on city council after the current councillor released a campaign-style statement late last week.
In it, the first-term councillor states that despite some tough choices, he feels he and his fellow council members have made the best, albeit difficult, decisions for the people of Medicine Hat.
Varga said on Monday that he has a stake in the community and experience to carry that on for the next four years.
“What you get is what you see — there’s no fancy stuff or anything like that,” said Varga, who was one of the first current council members to register his campaign with the local returning officer this winter.
“There’s business as usual at the city, and it’s a matter of looking after our best interests and making life easier for people in Medicine Hat.”
Varga, 56, is a grandparent to five along with his wife Brenda. He has lived in the city since 1982, and is a partner in LMT Landscaping.
In local government, Varga chaired the municipal planning commission during the current terms and also sits on council’s corporate services committee.
He was an organizer and outspoken booster of the recent Alberta Special Olympic Summer Games that were held locally.
The past two years have been marked by budget review and a program to replace energy and business unit revenue in the city budget with tax revenue offset by higher fees, lower program spending and wage controls at city operations.
“It’s been tough with commodity prices, and financially fit (budget review). We’re so used to having an abundance of money in the city ... People have to realize that we don’t have the money we used to have, even four years ago.”
He said he hopes the next council will concentrate on basic infrastructure spending.
All but two council members have announced they will seek re-election and have registered their campaigns.
Five others have also registered to compete for one of nine available spots. Thus far only Mayor Ted Clugston has publicly said he will seek the top job.
Candidates still have to submit official nomination forms by Sept. 18.
Advanced voting takes place in early October, ahead of the general election on Oct. 16.
Special ballots will be made available after nomination day to those who register for the service at city clerk’s office.