By Geoff Smith (@GeoffSmithLNN on Twitter)

First female candidate wants more representative council

Aug 24, 2017 | 12:12 PM

LETHBRIDGE – The latest candidate to declare for Lethbridge’s city council race wants a representative and inclusive council.

Jennifer Takahashi points out in a news release that she’s the first female candidate to announce her campaign. In an interview she said her inspiration is her 10-year-old son and the environment he’s being raised in.

“Looking at all the good work that’s been going on with city council as we’re hitting 100,000 (people) and then realizing that we’re going to continue to grow past that, I want to help be a driving force behind creating a really diverse and exciting city for 10, 20, and 50 years down the road,” she explained.

But she added in order for the city to make gains, all voices in the community must be represented and heard.

Takahashi favours proceeding with plans for citywide curbside recycling, continued downtown development and urban density, and improved transit.

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“We have an issue, especially at the university, with students being able to access transit,” she said. “And I’m hearing from some of the senior community that the transit isn’t quite what they need, especially with some of the changes that have gone on with the city.”

Takahashi said she’s excited about the planned supervised consumption site and work being done by ARCHES, and hopes to see continued work on the homeless issue and low-income housing.

Originally from Portland, Ore., Takahashi has lived in Canada for twelve years and recently became a Canadian citizen. Employed in the non-profit sector, she describes her background as being in labour work, and political and community activism.

“I think it’s really important that we fight for the places we live and the people that we share our homes with, and I’m grateful that Lethbridge has so much of that to do.”

Prospective candidates have until Sept. 18 to file papers. Voters will got to the polls Oct. 16.