I am Kris Maciborsky, I am 36 years old. I grew up in Alder Flats, Alberta. I moved to Red Deer in January 2001 to attend Red Deer College, from there I received my diploma in Rehabilitation Services. I loved Red Deer so much I chose to stay, and 17 years later the Northside of Red Deer is still my home with my wife Paige. I received the Centennial Silent Angel Award in 2005, for my service to the community. I have worked front line for the people of Red Deer for 17+ years. In various roles such as Community Options, Rehabilitation Aide, Disability Counsellor, Facilitator, Employment Consultant, Staff Trainer / Support, Youth Worker, Home Care Scheduling Coordinator, Community Support, Residential / Tenant Support, and Mental Health Worker. 

Through these positions I have learned of the communities’ struggles and needs. These individuals have ranged in age from youth to seniors and have been effected by discrimination or adversity due to age, homelessness, income level, race, cultural background, gender, disability, addictions, gender identity, sexual orientation and mental illnesses.

I felt that it was time to take my skills to the next level and advocate for the people of Red Deer in a broader spectrum. Through their experiences and my own I believe I would make an excellent choice on city council to give a voice to the people that have been pushed to the fringes of society.

I would describe myself as a hard working individual who is responsible, dependable, diplomatic, tactful, honest, fair, a good listener, problem solver, analytical thinker to save money, compassionate, empathetic, advocator, open-minded and a supporter of diversity.  

My Platform:

Crime Prevention / Drug Prevention: Although I do not have a definitive solution to this problem; prevention I believe is where we need to start. For example, through education in schools and information provided to the citizens in order to make them aware, so that they do not become victims of crime or develop an addiction. I attended a safe injection site presentation and learned of the benefits this could have for the city. For example, the independent study done by RCMP found a reduced amount of vehicle break ins in the general area of the site. The presenters also stated that the amount of used needles & paraphernalia discarded in the streets was greatly reduced. 

Low Income Housing / Reduction of Homelessness: I have lived in poverty most of my life, and as an adult struggled with affordable housing. Through the years of working with the citizens, they have also struggled with the same issue. Some of which living in dwellings outside of their income level, poor living conditions, and landlords who do not understand the individual’s struggles. The homeless community of Red Deer struggles with not having places that they are allowed to use the bathroom; this is a basic human right to have access to a washroom. Downtown businesses especially struggle with this issue. I want to look into the possibility of having portable washroom units throughout the city in areas of high homeless population. Also, I would like to know if the downtown spray park that was closed still has access to their outdoor washrooms, and if they are locked up. If they are locked up, I would like to know why they can’t be utilized. *Update from the City is that it will be discussed this November and if approve the spray park and bathrooms will reopen in 2018 after filtration upgrades to the water system.*

I would like to develop a program where persons who do not have a trustee could have access to a temporary one in times of need such as extended stay in hospital or mental health facility. In order for their residence to be maintained and they can focus on their health. This added stress and the threat of homelessness can hinder their path to wellness. I would also like to suggest a housing / savings program to help people get on their feet, I think it would be beneficial for the community. This would consist of multiple tiny / compact homes that could be easily paid off within a shorter amount of time than a traditional mortgage. The money invested, once sold, could go towards a down payment on a larger home. The tiny home would be sold back to the program in which it could be used as a savings plan for another individual or family in need. 

Community Inclusion: I would love to be involved in developing a safe place for members of the LGBTQ+ community, such as a Pride Centre like other major cities have. It would offer a meeting place for support & education. As well, I would like to work on inclusion of persons of different ethnicity and cultures, including further prevention of discrimination in our multicultural city. 

Snow Management Strategies: I would love to learn how the current snow management plan was developed and work on coming up with others ideas. Citizens have commented to me that the fairness or the alternating year windrow’s plan is not working, as to when the city decides it is too much snow, both sides of the street will have a windrow.    

Submitted by Kris Maciborsky.

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