Through the 2017 Municipal Election season The Eagle 100.9 and Okotoks Online will be bringing you profiles of candidates to help you make an informed decision.

Tell us a little bit about yourself:

"I have resided in Okotoks for over 17 years and am a single dad to an amazing 8 year daughter (Sophie I have also lived in the M.D. of Foothills for over 25 years. I have deep agricultural and municipal roots having growing up between High River and Okotoks and has seen it grow from a small town of 1800 people to what it is now of almost 30,000 residents. I am semi-retired from a full time career of being a Paramedic, and have been a 1st Responder for over 21 years with service to Calgary, Okotoks, High River and the M.D. of Foothills. I have a Business Degree with a Major in Consumer Marketing, and was in the Corporate Sector for 25 years working for Fortune 500 Companies, I also am small business owner."

"I attended High School in High River, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary, and the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and the University of Regina.  I am passionate about Okotoks and want to make a positive impact."

"I have leadership experience and want to serve. I research and do my homework to get as much background information so I may make an intelligent, informed and constructive decision in the best interests of those affected and all residents of Okotoks."

"I am a long term thinker and am prepared to accept making decisions that not all will like, but that does not mean opposing views are discounted or not considered – I will ensure I LISTEN and all viewpoints are accepted under my tenure."

What is the main part of your platform?:

"The main focus of my platform is to give back to the community and to listen to the residents so they have a real and effective voice.  Communication, public engagement, openness and transparency are critical and throughout this campaign I have heard this time and time again, I believe in these concepts and it is what I am to the core.  There are a number of issues or platforms that must be finally resolved, along with planning for the next 30 years – I can do this and believe have shown I can and will do the research and get the facts our residents so residents know what is going on through openness and transparency."

"The water issue must be addressed and resolved, new development must be stopped until we have a long term and abundant water supply. Current residents should not have new water infrastructure costs amortized into their property taxes. New developments should be paying for these – completely. With the caveat existing residents have access to this new supply of water at no cost because they have been paying their property taxes since their home was built."

"Arts and Culture is another platform item and we must look at the bigger picture and that is the economic impact they give back to our community.  I am proposing no building development on the old creamery/Bull Pen pub lands – but have an open air clamshell amphitheater with a park like setting, which showcases and provides a venue for all. I want people to think of the overall positive impact this would have on our community, our downtown business and our residents.  In addition we need to have a multi-purpose Arts and Culture facility in the north area of town tied into education from grade 1 to 12 and post-secondary.  I am not proposing this type of facility be funded through property taxes but through partnerships with the Arts & Culture community, our school boards, private donations and private/corporate business’s."

"The facility has to have the infrastructure put in place for a performing venue; theatre, plays, musicals, recitals and concerts with seating for 1000 people and can be expanded to 3000. It also has education classrooms, a satellite extension of our Library, a swimming pool, and a TV/Movie and Film production facility. All of the components are tied into our community and schools. The infrastructure cost savings by partnering with school boards so duplication is eliminated."

"EMS and Ambulance along with health care must be brought forward and we as a community deserve a 24 hour Urgent Care Facility, dedicated EMS and Ambulances, along with a Community Paramedicine program so residents can be assessed, treated and left in their home environment so they are not displaced into waiting in a hallway within a hospital."

Why do you think you would make a good Okotoks Town Councillor? 

"I have the ability to listen and respect what people are saying, along with the skills to bring people together, build consensus and lead.  I am passionate about Okotoks and its residents and believe I can use my passion to excite others, get involvement and make people passionate about their visions.  It is not about me, or I – it is about me being a team player,  we need people to lead and be a part of the team.  I am only as strong as those around me – the residents, which are the team and by voting for me – I represent you and will work for you.  At this point in my life – I have the time and also am able to put forth the effort to listen, engage, represent and be the team voice – I cannot do it alone but am fully committed to do so."

 

Every Okotoks candidate running for the 2017 municipal election will get to opportunity to explain who they are, their platform and why they are running. The candidate profiles are posted at random. If you are a candidate and have not been contacted, please email news@okotoksonline.com

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com