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Decision 2013: Meet the County of Stettler Council candidates I

'I offer strong community support and spirit, reliability and availability.' - Vic Carey

NAME: Vic Carey.

HOMETOWN: Gadsby.

AGE: 69.

FAMILY: My wife Barbara and I have been married 45 years and raised our son Wesley and daughter Joanna and we have three grandsons and one granddaughter.

YEARS IN GOVERNMENT: Nine years on County of Stettler council.

YOUR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: I helped build new ball diamonds in Gadsby and volunteered at Omega Cemetery and at other community functions.

YOUR HOBBIES: Woodworking, fishing, golfing and hunting.

YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTES: I offer strong community support and spirit, reliability and availability.

MAIN ISSUES IN THE CAMPAIGN AND YOUR SUGGESTIONS TO ADDRESS THEM: Roads are a big issue. Better maintenance and better gravel are needed. I think that the county can and should be run more efficiently.

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NAME: Greggory Jackson.

HOMETOWN: Gadsby.

AGE: 36.

FAMILY: I have three amazing kids — Hannah, Grady and Will.

YEARS IN GOVERNMENT: Three years’ experience as a councillor; central zone rep on the provincial AAMDC standing issues committee on infrastructure, transportation and municipal affairs; vice-chairman of the county Ag Service Board; president of the Battle River Research Group; co-chair of the physician recruitment and retention committee and chairman of Stettler Regional Fire Authority; also on recreation board, Stettler Health Services Foundation and the County of Stettler Housing Authority.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: A 4-H leader, volunteer at Gadsby Omega Circle Cemetery, past-president and board member of Beaver Rural Electrification Association.

HOBBIES: Spending time with my children and attending their recreation activities; water sports, running, hiking and camping.

GREATEST ATTRIBUTES:

I’m very conscious of different points of views people may hold and understand the fact that no one person has the perfect answer. I have certificates in team-building and ag finance — critical factors in government — in fostering productive group-management strategies and understanding the complexities in municipal accounting and finance practices.

MAIN ISSUES IN THE CAMPAIGN AND YOUR SUGGESTIONS TO ADDRESS THEM:

The main issues and potential solutions that are important to ratepayers are what matters to me, elected to council or not. I hope to continue to work with administration to best represent the ratepayers throughout the county. With the provincial purse strings tightening, the county needs to take a proactive approach to managing tax dollars responsibly, along with balancing the maintenance and upkeep of facilities and infrastructure. We’re fortunate to live in a prosperous province, but must not take it for granted that times will always be booming. Placing funds in reserve for future stability is key to a successful management plan. This is important to me.

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NAME: Blake Chapman.

HOMETOWN: Stettler.

AGE: 62.

FAMILY: Married with three grown children.

YEARS IN GOVERNMENT: Nine.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Minor soccer coach; educator in holistic management; board member of Stettler and District Agricultural Society; chairman of county municipal planning commission; vice-chairman of Stettler Ambulance; past-president of Stettler and District Family and Community Support Services; member of Red Deer River Water Alliance; board member of Stettler Housing Authority; vice-chairman of the new swimming pool planning committee; member of Pheasantback Golf Club and the County of Stettler Ag Service Board; educator in holistic management.

HOBBIES: Golf.

GREATEST ATTRIBUTES:

My ability to listen with empathy, sort out the problem or situation, and then find a solution or compromise that works for all concerned. Through my holistic management training received in Santa Fe, Mexico, I was trained in the process of policy formation and problem solving. Also, I was trained in the process of budget information and the process of monitoring a budget.

MAIN ISSUES IN THE CAMPAIGN AND YOUR SUGGESTIONS TO ADDRESS THEM:

Roads. We have tried several different new products for hard-surfacing and dust control. I think we finally may have a product that works (SP 90) and my hope is to get it laid on Liberal Road as soon as possible — and wherever dust control is required or requested.

I was at the forefront of the rural water distribution program and would like to be at the completion of this amazing and necessary program of bringing potable water to so many households. There is a policy that still needs to be created for this program.

Recreation is and will continue to be a problem for both the County of Stettler and Town of Stettler councils. I feel that within the next four years, with the right councillors involved, this problem can be a thing of the past.

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NAME: Ernie Gendre.

HOMETOWN: Born and raised on a mixed farm northwest of Erskine. Presently, we own a farm near Botha.

AGE: 58.

FAMILY: Married 33 years, and two adult children.

YEARS IN GOVERNMENT: None.

YOUR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: None at present.

YOUR HOBBIES: Too busy for hobbies.

YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTES:

My various work experience over the years is my greatest attribute. In 1975, I was employed by the County of Stettler for four years on road construction. The next six years, I worked on drilling rigs, then eventually back into farming. The 1980s were rough years in the farming occupation, which I left to diversify into heavy equipment in 1989 — a business that we are still active in to date. It includes lease preparation, water and sewer installation and road-building.

MAIN ISSUES IN THE CAMPAIGN AND YOUR SUGGESTIONS TO ADDRESS THEM:

I believe in the democratic process of where there should be challenges to anyone seeking office. I strongly believe in the relationships between the ratepayers/landowners and council, along with a great working atmosphere shared with county employees.

This is quite a different path to be taking, but I have seen and heard of concerns of which I can relate to and I will have a voice and be a representative to the people at council.

I will strive to be a councillor who people can talk with, who listens and works hard to get people and the community what they need.

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NAME: Joe Gendre.

HOMETOWN: Erskine.

AGE: 52.

FAMILY: Married with four children ages four, 12, 14 and 18.

YEARS IN GOVERNMENT: Nine.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Radio talk of the town for Erskine, chairman of Agriculture Services Board, chairman of Stettler Family and Community Support Services, secretary of Buffalo Lake Management Team, Stettler Waste Management Authority, Erskine Cemetery Board, Nevis Community Hall Association, Knights of Columbus, tent rentals and competitive volleyball co-ordinator.

I have also worked numerous casinos for Erskine Rec Board, Nevis Hall and the Stettler Public Library.

HOBBIES: Volleyball, kayaking, gardening and travel.

GREATEST ATTRIBUTES:

I make myself available and approachable to discuss any ratepayers’ issues or concerns. If there is an issue, I like to find multiple angles and options to get the best results.

MAIN ISSUES IN THE CAMPAIGN AND SUGGESTIONS TO ADDRESS THEM:

Moving our community forward through implementation of the Erskine Concept Plan that council adopted unanimously is paramount. After consultation with Erskine residents, and after dollars and time taken to create this plan, we need to address concepts and get them implemented, such as to develop the new residential lots, begin surface water management and install a walking path along Highway 835 to maintain legal status for the highway crosswalk. The realization of a water reservoir large enough to provide enhanced fire protection for Erskine and area, with fire hydrants and a tank fill for fire trucks, agricultural and domestic needs, is essential. We need to bring to the forefront a recreational vehicle dump and fill station. It’s imperative to get residents’ co-operation to allow services and access for these improvements for the betterment of the community. A budget and timeline will need to be established with the co-operation of council and administration.

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NAME: Guy Neitz.

HOMETOWN: Erskine.

AGE: 46.

FAMILY: Wife Cheri and children Ty, Kylie and Shayla.

YEARS IN GOVERNMENT: None.

YOUR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

— High school football coach: 21 years as offensive co-ordinator of the Stettler Wildcats.

— Founding president of Stettler Minor Football Association (2002-2006).

— Football and basketball referee.

— Stettler Second Scout leader (four years).

— Director for Drumheller/Stettler Wildrose Constituency Association (2010-2011).

— Committee member at large for the drafting of County of Stettler Municipal Development Plan (2009).

YOUR HOBBIES: Sports: Football, horses & roping.

YOUR GREATEST ATTRIBUTES:

Integrity, perseverance and dedication, decisive, communicator, leader through service and example.

MAIN ISSUES IN THE CAMPAIGN AND YOUR SUGGESTIONS TO ADDRESS THEM:

More often than not, the County of Stettler has come and said this is what we’re going to do for you, rather than consulting with the community to find their priorities and working with them to accomplish it. In an effort to align myself with your priorities, I will invite the community to come together with me three to four evenings a year where we can discuss issues and possible solutions to benefit our communities.

Residential and infrastructure development in Erskine and area will be a pressing issue throughout the next council’s term.

I want these projects to meet with your vision for our community and that they will be implemented with our residents’ best interests in mind.