ROB MURRAY: Dana Humbert is running for Banff council in the upcoming municipal election. Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your background and your related experience for the job?

DANA HUMBERT: My wife and I decided to move to Banff almost four years ago. We feel so proud and privileged to be raising our two daughters here and call Banff home. I’m running because I’ve fallen in love with this amazing community that so humbly welcomed our family. I’m passionate about being on council because we’ve been made to feel welcome, supported and cared for. I want to help be part of that, keeping the essence of the heart of the community alive for generations to come. I can see significant challenges coming before Banff over the next four years and would like to be as proactive as possible to make sure the residents’ needs concerns are heard, addressed, and met. Officially I’m a project manager with years of experience with projects all around Southern Alberta. My experiences help me understand various aspects of municipal construction, infrastructure, budget, and schedules. As an appointed representative on the Municipal Planning Commission for the Town of Banff, I understand and meet the procedures, policies and expectations the Town of Banff looks for. I continue to have the opportunity to work within the existing framework, develop relationships, and creatively problem solve the specific needs of the community with other council members and the administration. This continues to be an excellent opportunity to learn and grow while serving the community to help meet its unique needs. I’m humbled at the opportunity and always appreciate feedback.

RM: Tell us about your top or one of your top issues that you’re really passionate about, and some ideas you might have around it.

DH: Looking at the 2018 Community Social Assessment we find five themes that make Banff great. The small town community feel. Appreciation of nature and environmental stewardship. The quality and the variety of services, amenities, and programs. The abundant work available, and population diversity. Some of my platform – firstly, listening to residents’ issues and concerns to make balanced decisions that reflect the overall good for the community. Our town must continue to champion sustainability to create a thriving environment for people who work, live, and play here. I will push Town Council to make bold actions to address the affordability crisis. I will work with the residents, businesses, communities, and social providers to identify ways to reduce costs for everyday Banffites. I will tackle the escalating cost of living in Banff by implementing an initiatives and solutions to make housing more affordable, transportation more accessible, and communities more family friendly. Property tax also must be monitored and watched to stay under control. The town must have priorities to make choices according to the strategic plan. One of my top priorities on Town Council is to listen to you and be your voice. There are some tough decisions that will need to be made this year. The town’s largest tax revenue comes from the commercial sector and has been hit hard. This will have a direct impact on the town’s revenue. I will strive to find a balanced budget that’s reasonable and fair for all.

RM: Looking back on the last four years, what’s something you feel this past council did a good job tackling? Conversely, what’s something you feel they could have done a better job on?

DH: The Bear Street redevelopment is stunning. It is beautiful, well done, and a glimpse into what Banff Ave could become. Although not all supported this project, now that it’s complete we see a decrease to vehicular traffic, visitors walking the streets, and our residents meeting and gathering on Bear Street. We also saw many restaurants and businesses benefit from the outdoor patios.

I conditionally support the pedestrianization of Banff Ave. One of the biggest concerns I’m hearing from residents is that they feel like they didn’t have a big impact or their voices and concerns were heard for that decision. High visitation is what makes living possible here. However, the increase year after year is taking a toll on residents.

RM: If elected, how would you stay engaged with the people in the community?

DH: I’m ready to listen. Even though it’s a tough time right now with COVID, I’m still going out to meet the community. Even if I am elected, I will not stop doing that.

RM: What’s another part of your platform or maybe another issue that you’d like to discuss that we haven’t really touched on yet today?

DH: We are proud of the environmental leadership Banff has shown so far with the ambitious targets in emission reduction and the goals for renewable energy. I want to keep that momentum going, from transportation and infrastructure to local programs and urban green spaces. I will embed sustainability into every decision we make. I will support new and the continuation of programs that increase food security while keeping our community and the environment at the forefront, such as the greenhouse project. I believe that we should propose more greenhouses around Banff because I know there is a continuous waiting list.

RM: Where can people find out more information about you?

DH: You can email me. I have a website, there’s also a Facebook and Instagram link.

RM: Why should people vote for you for Banff council?

DH: I believe the Town of Banff council needs an infusion of new people who can bring a different experience and a fresh perspective to make important strategic decisions that will help our community thrive. Banff is a community of residents dedicated to creating an affordable, inclusive, and thriving place to call home. We want more people to see themselves and their issues represented in local politics. Everyone deserves to be heard.

Filed under: Banff, Municipal Election