My Platform
My platform is built on feedback from County residents. My goal is to maintain a rural and agricultural focus on local decisions. Creating a balance for our producers, acreages, hamlets and businesses.
Accountability
Approachable Leadership
I am committed to being a representative who is easy to reach and responsive to your concerns. I will ensure all calls and emails are returned promptly. Communication with residents is key, this platform has been built on feedback from residents like you.
Active Community Involvement
As your Mayor, I will be present in the community, regularly engaging with residents and community groups to listen and address your needs. This role requires full-time dedication, and I am committed to being accessible and engaged.
Strong Governance
I believe in professionalism and strong governance. Mid-term, I successfully amended a motion for the addition of a governance professional to help us assess and improve our Council’s structure, procedures and policies.
Public Engagement
We need to increase the interactions between Council and the public. This feedback should guide Council’s direction. Town halls, open houses and public events will provide the public with opportunities to engage Council and help ensure we are on the right track.
Agriculture
Preserving Agricultural Lands
Agriculture must be prioritized in our strategic planning. We need to protect our agricultural lands to ensure food security and target development toward growth hamlets and commercial areas.
Agricultural Strategy
We need to develop a master plan for the entirety of the County. This document will be a guide to balance population and economic growth with all forms of agriculture. From grain, cattle and dairy to market gardens and beekeepers and everything in between.
Stronger Ag Service Board (ASB)
As the chair of the ASB, I’ve witnessed the value of having knowledgeable agricultural representatives in decision-making. I will work to amplify the ASB’s voice and ensure better communication between Council and the ASB. This ensures our ag producers will always have a voice.
Food Security
We need to leverage our diverse ag industry to meet the growing population demands. My experience on a committee with Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) has given me insight into how agencies like the AUC, AER, and NRCB can better work with local planning to protect agricultural land while balancing energy security.
Core Infrastructure
Prioritizing Local Infrastructure
Maintaining and properly funding roads, bridges, and utilities is key to ensuring the well-being of our communities. I will focus on asset management plans to sustain and improve core infrastructure.
Targeted Investment
We must focus our capital plans and budgets on the basics first, ensuring that critical infrastructure is adequately funded, including expanding our market road network.
Efficient Use of Resources
We need to avoid duplication of services and unnecessary costs. Supporting transportation, utilities and other essential services for our communities, businesses, and producers.
Strengthen Community to Reduce Rural Crime
Tackling Rural Crime
Rural crime is an ongoing issue, particularly in remote areas and those affected by detachment boundaries. I’ve worked with groups like Raven Crime Watch to establish the Police Advisory Committee (PAC) with the Innisfail Detachment and have advocated for a regional policing approach in Red Deer County.
Building Community Networks
To help reduce crime, we must foster strong community networks. Encouraging younger generations to get involved with local organizations is vital for their sustainability and success.
Supporting Volunteers & Community Health
Our communities rely on volunteers who manage local recreation facilities and halls. We need to support and sustain these important roles to provide more opportunities for community well-being, including programs for seniors and farm families.
Supporting Protective Services
Ensuring the safety of our residents requires properly funded and trained fire departments. We need to provide sufficient resources for our Protective Services, including recruitment, local training, and necessary equipment to save lives and property.
Economic Diversification
Broadening Revenue Sources
With recent inflation and significantly decreased funding from other levels of government, we must reduce our reliance on the residential tax base. Economic diversification will help limit future tax increases and sustain growth.
Attracting Value-Added Ag Businesses
We can grow our local economy by attracting more value-added agriculture businesses. During this term Red Deer County brought the P&H Flour Mill to our area through land development initiatives. Not only will their mill generate significant tax revenue it will also attract other businesses to the area like bakeries. We need to continue to attract businesses that support our agricultural producers.
Tourism & Agri-Tourism
With many unique destinations within the County, we can boost our economy through tourism, agri-tourism, and farm-to-table initiatives. This will help attract visitors and support local businesses.
Regional Collaboration
Red Deer County’s location in Central Alberta, with proximity to the growing Red Deer Regional Airport, offers significant opportunities for growth. I take pride in my ability to work collaboratively and will continue to strengthen our partnerships with neighboring municipalities and the provincial government.
Simplify Development Applications
We need to further streamline simple applications. The average resident, local business owner or smaller developer should not face costly processes or barriers for approval. One size does not fit all in Red Deer County. This will reduce time and costs for staff and applicants.
