Why do you want to continue serve on town council?
After serving four years on council, I feel like I have survived the steep learning curve that every councillor experiences in their first term. Continuing on, in order to serve our community with a more solid understanding of the best practices and needs of our citizens is something I am feeling driven about.
Since being sworn to office I have found myself engaged in hundreds of decision points, conversations, even debates about everything from day to day best practices, right through to working with our amazing council team and administration developing and authoring cannabis bylaws for Stettler.
What do you feel you have brought to council specifically?
I feel that I have brought a business-minded community-driven approach to every decision that council is involved in.
Listening to anyone who has a ‘Mr. Councillor’ question or complaint. What I know, I’ve answered - what I did not know, I learned and communicated to the person who inquired. Sometimes, it wasn’t the outcome they wanted. But they learned that I follow up and take action.
The action items list that I have been most proud of are the invisible ones - the projects that, admittedly, do cause some short-term discomfort for long-term positive outcomes. (These include) addressing aging water lines and sewer drainage pipes in our back alleys as well as Main Street - it is far from glamorous and has been actively disliked by some, but it is necessary to address before 50 to 80-year-old underground failures occur and reactionary patchwork repairs cost our taxpayers even more than servicing and renewing in a planned and budgeted way.
Phase 3 (the bowl) at Stettler Skatepark - Phase 3 has seen a Stettler dream come true with exceptionally active usage by preschool children to young adults.
I am a strong advocate for libraries, both local and regional systems. I work with the Board of Trade on behalf of the businesses and tourism for the Stettler region - both Town and County.
If someone were to ask you, ‘Why should I vote for you’, what would you say?
Voting me back for a second term, I will continue with the same passion as my first term with a great deal more knowledge and awareness.
What is your vision for the community?
My vision for the community is sustainable and thoughtful, planned growth without losing focus on the need of our residents and businesses to continue to prosper in our town.
Could you tell us a bit about your professional/work experience?
My wife Sharon and I founded our jewellery story on Main Street 27 years ago and I’ve been known throughout the community as someone who is active and involved. I have a ‘get it done’ mentality that perhaps should have caused me to run for council years ago.
What ‘fuels’ your inspiration to serve?
Our Mayor Sean Nolls says it best - Stettler is awesome!