My Vision and Core Priorities for Red Deer.
As a proud Red Deerian and Albertan, I’m committed to building a safe, thriving community with opportunities for all.
Protecting Our Community - Ensure stable funding and proper staffing for Fire Services and EMS to keep our growing city safe and prepared at all times.
Safe, Beautiful Neighborhoods - Support emergency services funding alongside community efforts to reduce vandalism and graffiti, and promote respect, inclusivity, and neighborhood pride.
Revitalizing Downtown - Create a safer, more accessible downtown from Ross Street outward by supporting local businesses, reducing bureaucracy, improving parking, and encouraging rapid redevelopment of unused properties.
Smart Spending and Infrastructure - Prioritize maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure to ensure reliability before pursuing new projects, supported by fair and reasonable taxation.
Sensible Growth - Promote development on vacant, zoned land to meet demand without overburdening infrastructure, while investing in sustainable technologies and enhancing green spaces.
Helping People and Reducing Harm - Provide equitable, accountable, and secular social services focused on long-term rehabilitation, Cannery Row or Michener Center* perhaps. Address homelessness through affordable housing, rent controls, and job creation, including innovative housing solutions in a 'step-up-to-reintegration' plan.
Accessibility and Seniors - Reduce costs and improve flexible support for seniors and people with disabilities by enhancing trails, signage, and accessibility features.
Responsible Governance - Cut wasteful spending on divisive projects. True unity comes from focusing on community values that bring Red Deerians together as "Red Deerians" First!
As a proud Red Deerian and Albertan, I’m committed to building a safe, thriving community with opportunities for all.
Protecting Our Community - Ensure stable funding and proper staffing for Fire Services and EMS to keep our growing city safe and prepared at all times.
Safe, Beautiful Neighborhoods - Support emergency services funding alongside community efforts to reduce vandalism and graffiti, and promote respect, inclusivity, and neighborhood pride.
Revitalizing Downtown - Create a safer, more accessible downtown from Ross Street outward by supporting local businesses, reducing bureaucracy, improving parking, and encouraging rapid redevelopment of unused properties.
Smart Spending and Infrastructure - Prioritize maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure to ensure reliability before pursuing new projects, supported by fair and reasonable taxation.
Sensible Growth - Promote development on vacant, zoned land to meet demand without overburdening infrastructure, while investing in sustainable technologies and enhancing green spaces.
Helping People and Reducing Harm - Provide equitable, accountable, and secular social services focused on long-term rehabilitation, Cannery Row or Michener Center* perhaps. Address homelessness through affordable housing, rent controls, and job creation, including innovative housing solutions in a 'step-up-to-reintegration' plan.
Accessibility and Seniors - Reduce costs and improve flexible support for seniors and people with disabilities by enhancing trails, signage, and accessibility features.
Responsible Governance - Cut wasteful spending on divisive projects. True unity comes from focusing on community values that bring Red Deerians together as "Red Deerians" First!
Vehicle Photo taken by Kevin M. Klerks. Sign Photo from Red Deer IAFF L1190 on X. Edited by Kevin M. Klerks.
I summarized my 'two main issues I feel Council should address' in early September for a group, this was my response:
Keeping Red Deer Safe
Everyone in Red Deer deserves to feel safe at home, in their neighborhood, and when visiting downtown. That means making sure Fire Services and EMS have the funding and staff they need, supporting police, and addressing problems like vandalism, graffiti, homelessness, and addiction. True safety is about more than emergency response — it’s about prevention, pride in our community, and creating welcoming spaces for all, equally, as Red Deerians first.
Smart Growth and Responsible Spending
Red Deer should grow in a way that makes sense for today and the future. That starts with taking care of the infrastructure we already have before starting costly new projects. It also means supporting local businesses through tax incentives and reducing red tape for new start-ups, while bringing life back to unused downtown spaces and encouraging development that uses land and resources wisely. By cutting waste and focusing on what works, we can keep Red Deer strong and sustainable without putting extra pressure on taxpayers.
Don’t assume that just because someone moves from Councillor to running for Mayor, things will suddenly change. They already had four years or more to make a difference and didn’t. In a democracy, every Councillor has a vote, no matter who the Mayor is. Too much focus is placed on the Mayor as a leader, when leadership isn’t about influence alone. All of the Council represents the residents of the City of Red Deer, not just the Mayor.
