ROB MURRAY:  Kerry-Lee Schultheis is running for Banff council. Tell us a little bit about you, your background and your related experience for the job.

KERRY-LEE SCHULTHEIS: I’m originally from Vancouver. I moved to Fort McMurray when I was 19 years old and worked with Family and Community Support Services. I started the Big Sisters organization there. Then I moved to Banff 37 years ago. I became the CEO of the YWCA for 26 years. I built and managed housing at the YWCA. I also ran the hotel and the hostel, which was the social enterprise. It acted like the funder for all of the programs that we did. I have 35 years experience in community development. I was on the original Banff Housing Committee and also the Municipal Planning Commission for several years.

RM: Why, in 2021, are you running for election for Banff council?

KLS: I’m running because I feel like I have the right balance of community and business background. I’ve also owned a Bed and Breakfast for the last 30 years. I ran the YWCA, which, although it is a charity, had to act like a business because we didn’t want to become grant dependent. I feel like the community and council right now needs somebody with my skillset at the table.

RM: What’s your top or one of the top issues that you’re really passionate about, and maybe some ideas you have around it?

KLS: One is addressing the community’s needs around housing. The other one is over-tourism and finding sustainable solutions. I remember reading an article from 1912 that talked about the housing crisis. We still face that today. I was involved in the housing study that was done in 1988. The study said that we needed to double the housing stock to meet 1988 demand. We haven’t done that, yet we’ve had all this growth since that time. We need housing all along the continuum. We need more housing for the young service industry workers, right through to many different options for seniors including staying in their own homes, which the last survey that just was completed with seniors stated.

As far as over-tourism – all over the world there are places that are experiencing over-tourism, places like Helsinki, Barcelona, and Venice. We experience that mainly in the summer here. This last summer, having Banff Avenue closed, it enabled businesses to function during COVID, but it also put a big strain on the neighbouring streets. There was what seemed like overcrowding and we didn’t even have the bus tours in town at that time. I think the community is fatigued with over-tourism, so I think we can learn from other communities around the world and we can benefit from their experience in dealing with this issue.

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?

KLS: I think the council handled the COVID crisis quite well. The closing of Banff Avenue helped with the distancing. The mass mandates helped reduce the amount of spread of COVID. I think they did a good job.

Not so well – I’ve heard over and over by both business leaders and community members how disappointed with council they were on how the Bear Street project fell out. The amount of time it took – it was supposed to be finished the first year that it started in it wasn’t completed until mid to late summer this year. I think they could have done a better job with communication on it. Also, when council asked the community about paid parking and the community said no, and they went ahead and did paid parking citing that they weren’t held to that plebiscite…I feel like if you don’t want the answer, then don’t ask the question.

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

KLS: I think I am a very approachable, I know a large section of the community just from my years being here. I’m very engaged in the community. I always have been. People can contact me by email or stop me on the street.

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

KLS: On my website, through email or they can phone me (403) 760-0286. I’d love to hear from them.

RM: Why should people vote for you in the upcoming municipal election for Banff council?

KLS: The next Town Council will need a skillset to build back business and navigate the needs of our community. My experience has provided me with proven skills and leadership in board governance, community development, financial management, strategic and business planning, and a clear understanding of the balance needed between business and community. I think this will help as we navigate our way through addressing community priorities and recovering from the economic impact of COVID. We need somebody with my experience at the table.