Connect with us

City of Red Deer

City Council Forum Part 5: What is your message for taxpayers, voters, and residents?

Published

3 years ago

17 minute read

red deer city hall

In the closing days of the municipal election campaign Todayville has considered the issues that seem to be emerging as priorities for Red Deer voters.  We’ve taken the opportunity to send questions via email to all the Candidates for Mayor and City Council and we’ve promised we’ll post the responses of those who get back to us.  We are happy to add responses from those who haven’t gotten back to us yet over the weekend, but here is a collection from some of the contenders.

After we asked four questions to the candidates we gave each candidate an open invitation to say whatever they’d like to voters. Here are the responses from the candidates who wanted to reach out and emphasize what they wish to offer the taxpayers and residents of Red Deer.

5. Please take this opportunity to tell us about yourself, and / or your goals if you are elected. This is your opportunity to emphasize what you wish more than anything else to offer the taxpayers and residents of our city.

Mayoral Candidates

Buck Buchanan
I think we can all identify the problems or many of the problems finding the solutions is much more difficult. I believe the solutions are based on Relationships with our Citizens along with Relationship within Council and with Staff and Relationships with our Neighbours, our Partners and our Boards and Committees. I think it has to be a Team effort and that is what I am committed to.

Ken Johnston

It has been a privilege to seek the office of Mayor these past few months. I congratulate all my colleagues in running for public office. It is a very challenging time to be called to this service and it is humbling work. I have lived here since 1996 and I’ve been honoured  to give  to the city I love. Red Deer has returned much more to me. I decided to run because I thought I could make a difference in the direction we need to take. I do hope that our wonderful citizens will feel the same.

Council Candidates

Bruce Buruma

  • Citizens will be electing a council that will need to make challenging decisions and tough choices over the next four year, many which will have long term implications. We need a strong council that is skilled and works together as a team. Citizens have been clear, they want change and fresh ideas. We need authentic and genuine engagement with our community to know the issues and identify solutions together. I bring relevant experience as a senior administrator with Red Deer Public Schools, I am a community builder with extensive experience serving our community, I have diverse education and skills that will make me a strong voice for our city and our future. I ask for your support!

Brenda Campbell
I am a school counsellor and my primary role is to listen. I have lived in Red Deer for most of my life and know it’s a great place to be, but want to work together to make it even greater. Whether citizens have recently moved here or have resided in Red Deer for decades like myself, we all have something to offer this wonderful city. Bringing what works in other municipalities and also what doesn’t forth, would help us to efficiently and effectively grow. Let’s learn from each other and develop into the best City of Red Deer possible.

Craig Curtis

I am running for Council because I believe the current Council has been unable to move forward on a number of important issues. I believe my experience at various levels of government can be of assistance to a new team under new leadership. I will briefly summarise some key issues from my platform (craigcurtisrd.com)

Homelessness
Council’s decision to close the temporary shelter is negligent. It does not consider the safety of the homeless many of whom suffer from addictions and/mental health issues, and it will make the situation in the Downtown worse. If elected, I will make sure temporary emergency accommodation is available and advocate the fast tracking of a new facility with wraparound services. Funding has been available for over two years and no action has been taken.

Diversity
The demographics of Red Deer’s population has changed, and the city needs to increase its efforts to ensure involvement of all sectors of our community. As a City Councillor I would continue to be an ally to those marginalised by income race, gender or age. I will continue to denounce hate speech and any form of racism.

Reconciliation
The City has moved too slowly to address the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This is important because of the legacy of the Red Deer Industrial School and local burial sites.

Transparency

The current Council is divided and there have been two recent Code of Conduct investigations costing over $40,000. Council refused to accept the second report by an independent investigator and has resolved to keep its contents confidential.This should have been released prior to the election.

Victor Doerksen

Many will remember my time as MLA for Red Deer South. During that tenure I held various roles: Chair of Alberta Research Council, Minister of Innovation and Science, Treasury Board. Other than government, significant roles for me include the Red Deer Hospice and Ten Thousand Villages Society Red Deer Boards; Executive Director of CARE; Director of Finance at Etana Supports Society; small business (insurance and retail); and banking. The only thing that proves is that I am familiar with multi-billion as well as small dollar organizations. My best qualification is that I show up, work hard, collaborate, and make decisions. Please also refer to my website for more information: https://victordoerksen.ca/

Vesna Higham

I’m a retired lawyer, appeal board adjudicator, and high school basketball referee for nearly two decades. My husband and I raised our five children in Red Deer over the past 27 years, and are now proud, new grandparents to two precious babies. I understand the challenges families face in these uncertain times and would continue to support a strong family focus at the Council table. It’s been my distinct honour to serve our community on Council for seven years now – over two terms – and I don’t take that for granted. I study diligently, ask probing questions, and work hard to represent our city with honour and dignity. I stand for family values, fiscal restraint, a business-friendly environment, a strong focus on community safety, and a citizen-focused approach.

In closing, an elected official is first and foremost a public servant who must be accessible and accountable to the people. I bring integrity, experience, and common sense to the Council table and make decisions based on what I believe is in the best interests of our community on any issue – let the chips and votes fall as they may. Serving the public with integrity is my highest priority and commitment. Thanks for getting out to vote on October 18 Th.

Cindy Jefferies
I bring experience on council with a fresh perspective after 8 years away from the job. I have gained a tremendous amount of life experience in my time away. I am a leader who will help build relationships and team on council, within the organization, and in the community. I am proud of my record of fiscal responsibility while balancing the needs of our community. Managing challenges in the short term, while positioning Red Deer as we emerge from the pandemic, will require courageous and creative leadership. I believe I can help. I want Red Deer to be a city with opportunities and a place where people belong and want to be.
Janise Somers
I will bring a unique crime prevention perspective to Council having worked in crime prevention for the past 3 years and in an office downtown. In my work, and over the past 8 months of my campaign, I have had hundreds of conversations with residents and business owners, and I have heard your concerns. I have tons of energy and ideas, and I will be like a “dog on a bone” when it comes to the health & vitality of our downtown and preventing & decreasing crime.

I have the heart of a servant and I want to be of service and be in the service of people. Having said that, I want to combine my own personal vision with the vision of others to be the best leader I can be.I love my city fiercely and I am passionate about making Red Deer a place we are all proud to call home. On October 18 th , vote for JANISE SOMER and let’s build a stronger city together through stronger neighbourhoods, a stronger downtown, increased tourism and economic growth.

Dianne Wyntjes
I bring experience to the Council decision table and up-to-date knowledge of the active files when the next Councillor will be making decisions for Red Deerians. I do my homework and am prepared for Council and assigned committee meetings. I’m responsive to calls, emails and make myself available to meet with citizens when they request. I’m active on social media but also recognize the value and importance of traditional methods of community, e.g. face-to-face and telephone. I do a lot of reading (besides the Council agendas) and ask discerning questions. I challenge my own initial thinking and always look to what’s best for the Red Deer community. I’m ready to keep working and hit the ground running. I bring experience and representation on numerous city committees along with knowledge of the community challenges, needs and requests. I bring 30 years of labour relations experience with 17 years as regional director in Alberta. Those skills brought budget presentations, Responsibility of 30+ staff at 7 offices throughout Alberta, working with elected boards and committees with governance understanding, experience and working through challenges, negotiations skills, strategic planning, and listening to diverse ranges of opinions – throughout my career and through my Council experience. I have lived experience in Red Deer since 1975, seeing the City grow and change. Red Deer is home home for the many years ahead and I care about our city and community as we look to the future.
Council decisions are not just for the decisions during a 4 year council term; what’s decided today can impact Red Deer’s tomorrows and future. Citizens want and expect their elected Council to work well together. I’d like to see a regular communications piece to Red Deer citizens “what’s happening with Council”. I would continue my approach as a Councillor by being accessible, responsive and continuing my community communications on social media.
Biggest issues:
Immediate conversations with the provincial government about the committed funding of $7 million, operational decisions and landing on a city location for a permanent integrated shelter for Red Deer. In the meantime, ensuring appropriate temporary shelter measures are in place for the vulnerable.
Mid year budget review and financial updates provided to Council and the community as Council looks to decisions attention to community safety is never done; new Council hearing from the RCMP Superintendent during regular updates to Council; continuing to mitigate safety concerns throughout the City and the downtown, including policing and municipal bylaw enforcement, the social diversion team’s results and continuing crime prevention education with Red Deerians economy recovery through and from the pandemic is a priority. With attention to recruitment and attraction of new business and retention and supports to current business; regular community round table meetings to listen, respond and evaluate.
Looking to the arts and culture scene and what we can do to promote vibrancy in Red Deer, e.g. creative spaces, community ways to support local talents, City planned local events and working with the Red Deer Major Events strategy to attract future events to Red Deer connecting with Red Deer’s youth with their ideas for Red Deer in the next four years
A lens to age friendliness for Red Deer seniors and responding what else we can do in Red Deer to advance quality of life scheduling “community days” where citizens, organizations and businesses can meet face-to-face with Council so Councillors can listen and hear ideas and concerns. No decisions at these meetings as Council makes decisions at Council meetings.
Focus to continued actions for a more welcoming and inclusive community; actions and initiatives to challenge racism and discrimination and advancing our journey for truth and reconciliation
Followup on the motion from Code of Conduct #2 and the next Council’s attention to the issues for Council governance.
Related Topics:

Todayville is a digital media and technology company. We profile unique stories and events in our community. Register and promote your community event for free.

Follow Author

More from this author
Daily Caller / 17 hours ago

LNG Farce Sums Up Four Years Of Ridiculous Biden Energy Policy

armed forces / 18 hours ago

Canada among NATO members that could face penalties for lack of military spending

National / 18 hours ago

Canadian gov’t budget report targets charitable status of pro-life groups, churches

City of Red Deer

Over 25 Canadian cities support initiative designating December as Christian Heritage Month

Published on November 5, 2024

By

From LifeSiteNews

By Anthony Murdoch

Major cities that have signed on include Ajax, Durham, Sudbury, Mississauga, Ottawa, and Niagara Falls in Ontario, Alberta municipalities Red Deer and Okotoks, and Regina and Saskatoon in Saskatchewan. In British Columbia, Whistler and Prince George have also signed the petition.

More than 25 Canadian municipalities signed onto a proclamation declaring December as “Christian Heritage Month.”

The proclamation also asks provinces to take the initiative to declare the last month of the year in recognition of Christianity as an important part of Canadian heritage given the fact other faiths have special months of their own.

Major cities that have signed on include Ajax, Durham, Sudbury, Mississauga, Ottawa, and Niagara Falls in Ontario, Alberta municipalities Red Deer and Okotoks, and Regina and Saskatoon in Saskatchewan. In British Columbia, Whistler and Prince George have also signed the petition.

All of the cities have pledged to bring forth legislation that enshrines December as Christian Heritage Month into local law. Many have already done so.

The move by Canadian cities comes after the federal government and provincial governments have yet to proclaim December as Chrisitan Heritage Month.

According to the Christian Heritage Month Initiative, its mission is to have December “declared as Christian Heritage Month, recognizing the values of love, service, and compassion that define the Christian community.”

“The Christian Heritage Month Initiative is a dynamic, multi-denominational movement dedicated to celebrating the vibrant cultural, social, and artistic contributions of Canada’s Christian community,” the initiative says.

The initiative is under the leadership of Jay and Molly Banerjei, who are behind the Christian Music Festival. The organization says that the initiative “unites diverse voices and fosters a sense of belonging, enriching our nation’s identity and promoting inclusivity for all.”

Looking at Mississauga’s recent council motion that designates December as Christian Heritage Month, councillors have said its province under Premier Doug Ford should do the same.

It reads that Christianity is among the “diverse faiths followed by Mississauga residents and one of the most followed religions in Canada and Mississauga. Christians have made valuable contributions to the cultural, social, religious, and humanitarian fabric of our city and have played an important role in shaping our diverse community.”

The Mississauga motion also makes a point that December is “marked by significant events and celebrations in the Christian calendar, commencing with the observance of Advent and culminating in the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, which is also known as Christmas.”

“Christian organizations and places of worship in Mississauga offer religious services, unique events, and initiatives that highlight a strong Christian heritage during the month of December,” and it’s “also widely associated with the tradition of gift giving and the gathering of family, friends, and people of all faiths, during the Christmas season,” its councillors wrote.

“Recognizing the month of December, which is a significant month in the Christian calendar, as Christian Heritage Month provides an opportunity for all residents to celebrate the history, traditions, and teachings of the Christian faith, promoting understanding and appreciation of the diverse religious and cultural heritage of our city.”

Canada is historically a nation founded on Christian ideals and principles. European settlers who came to Canada from France and then later from what is the modern-day United Kingdom were Christian and included missionaries who tried to spread the faith to the local Indigenous populations.

Canada has observed Christmas since 1641, well before its official founding, according to some historical records.

As reported by LifeSiteNews, Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) MPs have urged all Canadians to support a petition that calls on the federal government to proclaim December as “Christian Heritage Month.”

Last year, CPC MP Marilyn Gladu introduced a Private Member’s Bill C-369 that would designate December as “Christian Heritage Month,” saying this is only the “fair and right” thing to do.

The bill reads that “In the negotiations that brought about Confederation, Canada was originally named ‘Dominion of Canada,’ a name reportedly inspired by the passage in the Bible (King James Version) at Psalm 72:8, which says, ‘He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.’”

The bill states that December in Canada marks “significant events and celebrations in the Christian calendar, from the beginning of Advent to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ; And whereas, according to Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census of Population, Christianity is the largest religion in Canada, with over half of Canadians identifying as Christian.”

Continue Reading

City of Red Deer

City Council looking for options to reduce hundreds of encampments

Published on September 14, 2024

By

New actions for response to urban encampments being considered by City Council

New actions for The City’s response to urban encampments will be considered by Council on Monday, with a focus on interim and long-term solutions to homelessness. The proposed actions include everything from maintaining a balanced mitigation strategy to exploring interim housing solutions.

The report comes in response to Councillor Lee’s Notice of Motion re: Urban Encampment Responses that Council approved during the 2024 budget debate. The report reviews the past five years of data, analyzes service levels, and evaluates Corporate Administrative Policy 3141C – Urban Encampment Response. The key recommendations in the report focus on providing a balanced approach to mitigating the effects of encampments while working towards long-term solutions for homelessness. These recommendations include:

  • Consistent Mitigation: Maintain The City’s current approach to encampment responses, ensuring the most balanced mitigation strategy available at this time to protect public lands while supporting vulnerable individuals.
  • Advocacy for Shelter Strategy: Council will continue to advocate to the Government of Alberta for a comprehensive shelter strategy, including the development of a low-barrier 24/7 emergency shelter with a Recovery-Oriented System of Care.
  • Review of Transitional Housing: Request that the Housing and Homelessness Integrated Committee (HHIC) review the potential for new transitional housing infrastructure as an interim solution to support individuals transitioning out of homelessness.

“The City’s current policy is still achieving its target of having sites cleaned within 14 days. Despite a substantial increase in encampments, responses have continued to be increasingly efficient, largely due to enhanced relationships and experience levels,” said Jodi Kelloway, Acting Superintendent, Social Wellness and Integration Supports. “In recent months, we have seen a significant rise in the number of people experiencing homelessness, with shelters operating at or near capacity. Many individuals living in encampments have limited or no alternative options available. It is important that we continue to improve our response while building capacity within the housing continuum that considers current realities and the unique needs of community members who are unsheltered. The actions we propose in today’s report are about building and expanding on what we already do.”

Under the current policy, The City has a level of service that urban encampments, debris, and belongings are to be removed within 14 days of an initial report, 90 per cent of the time. While The City’s current response to urban encampments is effective, with 98 per cent of camps being cleaned up within 14 days, the number of encampments continues to rise. In 2023 alone, 881 encampments were dismantled, with a projected overall increase of 75 per cent by the end of 2024.

Costs related to encampment clean-up have reached approximately $2.87 million over the last five years, shared among several City departments, including Parks, Public Works, and Emergency Services. Despite increased efficiency, the growing number of encampments presents ongoing challenges and concerns.

The City’s Encampment Assertive Outreach team continues to engage individuals living in encampments, providing referrals to social and housing services. However, the report notes that many individuals face barriers to accessing shelter due to personal circumstances, such as the need for privacy, the ability to be with their partners, accommodation for pets or possessions, highlighting the ongoing need for tailored solutions.

Councillor Lee’s January 8, 2024, Notice of Motion called for administration to consider the following:

  • Reducing the time to dismantle encampments.
  • Preventing establishment of encampments.
  • Connecting rough sleepers with social supports and understanding overall community shelter capacity.
  • Develop recommendations for individuals setting up or using encampments to encourage them to seek alternative shelter.
  • How much money The City has spent on the cleanup of encampments over the past five years, and how much subsidy, if any, has been provided by other levels of government.
  • Including the continuum of housing that is currently available in Red Deer and what is needed.
  • That Administration report to council on the progress of the review of Corporate Administrative Policy 3141C – Urban Encampment Response”.

“The City of Red Deer is committed to supporting the health and safety of those sleeping rough, citizens who are enjoying parks, trails and public spaces, and staff responding to encampments,” said City Manager Tara Lodewyk. “Unfortunately, urban encampment work is a very short-term solution to a very complex health, housing, and public safety need in our community. The ability to reduce homelessness in Red Deer is significantly impacted by the lack of affordable and supportive housing supply. Until this is resolved, we will continue in this cycle of clean up.”

More detailed information is available in the City Council report located on the Council Meetings and Schedule page.

Continue Reading

Trending

X