Mayoral candidates
Mayoral candidates
KEVIN BALDWIN
As a Real Estate Agent in Strathmore (since 1999), I have had the opportunity to meet many residents (both old and new). I know the heartbeat of this town and I would like to use my strong negotiating skills to address the following:
1. Relocation of #1 Highway: One of the most talked about problems is the #1 Highway Relocation. The Relocation has been on the Government’s mind for the past 10 years. Although it will be another 10 – 15 years before it happens, this uncertainty is already chasing away new business. It is also causing a great deal of division within Strathmore. By having a solution, we as a town can approach the Government with a (Bald “Win-Win”) proposal. I have a solution that will help the town, save the farmland and taxes as well visit my website www.kevinbaldwinformayor.com.)
2. Building on the Strengths of Strathmore: Strathmore is a great community for families and children to grow up in. The families I meet all say the same things.
“teachers in Calgary highly recommend the teachers and school system here”
“the hospital system is personable with great staff and much shorter waiting times than in Calgary”
“the Town staff are friendly and helpful”
3.Addressing the Needs of Strathmore:
• with the aging population, families ask about services for their parents as well as their children. We need to address these needs by accessing Government grants and with income generating ideas.
• we need to find ways to support more recreational activities for our seniors as well as our youth
• beautification of our town (including the highway areas)
• resolve town irrigation issues
• slow down the traffic on Centre Street
• accountability and transparency of town officials
As Mayor, together with Council, we will listen to our Citizens, build on our strengths and make our community #1 in Alberta.
“Strathmore Putting Our Citizens First”
Michael Ell
Strathmore is a great place to call home. I am running to make it better and with your support; we can do it.
In the past few weeks, I have been actively engaging with Strathmore residents to find out how to best serve the people of this great town. Some of the key campaign objectives I want to focus on include:
Accountability
Your Mayor and Council must be approachable and fully accountable to you. Your elected officials should not be holding closed door meetings when it is not necessary. I support monthly reporting of all expense claims submitted by each council member.
Supporting Business
We need to promote and support our existing businesses. Your Mayor and Council need to work together to create a partnership that ensures local businesses become stronger and more successful; providing jobs that generate a living wage, a future and a reason to stay and raise your family.
Supporting Community
We need to work with our neighbors and community groups.
Promoting Tourism
Strathmore is an oasis in the middle of the prairie and has the potential of attracting tourists and their dollars. In order to do this we must expand and improve our parks, our wetlands and opportunities for camping and summer recreation. Our wetlands and parks will be the gem of our future.
Future Planning
We need a coordinated plan for our aging population. The public – private partnership for a seniors development is not enough. To explore other viable options, I plan to meet with church groups that are expressing their desire to meet the demands for senior’s housing and care facilities.
I am excited about the future for our town and pleased to see the interest being expressed by residents to find leaders that will work for the betterment of our community.
GLENN FREELAND
When contacted by the Strathmore Times, Mr. Freeland declined the opportunity to leave a comment.
STEVE GRAJCZYK
If I get elected, first I must cooperate with the other elected officials, town staff and the people of Strathmore. Secondly, we must be transparent and honest in all our elected duties. Thirdly, we MUST encourage industrial commercial development to offset our residential tax base and that is to keep up with maintaining our current infrastructure. Next, we must continue and work with the ag society for the development of a multi use rec facility. Also, we must promote the development of reasonable senior home care facilities and lost cost housing that will be a crisis in the next few years. The proper structuring and working with transportation as to how the hwy should proceed through or around Strathmore. There are many other issues plus the everyday house keeping duties of council. Remember, three years goes by fast; this is from the man who has the time, will and knowledge to be your mayor.
GEORGE LATTERY
Just a little background for those who have yet met me. I am 63 years young, married, four children and five grandchildren. I was born and raised in Drumheller, Alberta.
I moved to Calgary at age 20 where I worked for Canadian Western Natural Gas for eight years. I was accepted by the Calgary Fire Dept. and retired after 32 years as Captain and acting District Chief.
I also co-owned and operated a roofing business, which was in operation for 30 years. My wife and I moved to Strathmore in 2004. My career in public service and in my private business has been a definite asset to dealing with community issues.
I have now served as Mayor for three years. I am on executive Board of Calgary Regional Partnership. Voting member at Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Member of Alta Urban Municipalities Association. I also belong to 26 committees in Strathmore.
I have fought every step of the way for the Town of Strathmore and will continue to do so.
Here are some of my key platform issues;
• Work with council and people to begin establishing a museum,
• There are many parts of infrastructure that needs rebuilding, roads to be repaved, more work to be done with recreations and parks.
• Remain a strong advocate for our hospital.
• Work with the downtown businesses on a beautification and revitalization program.
• Work with all people on Identity for Strathmore, one that is unique to our town alone.
• Work with developers and builders to keep and make Strathmore diverse community as well as economically affordable for people of all ages.
• Work to attract new businesses to Strathmore.
• Remain a strong voice for the people concerning the Highway bypass.
BRAD WALLS
My primary objective for the campaign is to alert the people of Strathmore about the important issues that will need to be addressed by the new council and to remind Strathmore that what we need in the Mayoral seat is a strong individual with experience, new ideas and commitment to the community.
Many people comment on my young age, however, historically, there have been prime ministers, army generals and mayors younger than I, who all had one thing in common – the wisdom to trust the team assembled around them and work with them, igniting their passions and utilizing their strengths. That is my primary goal for this election campaign – to work with the team and people of Strathmore, as well as strengthened relationships with Wheatland County and our neighbouring communities to accomplish the many goals set before us.
The primary goal for the future of this town should be family oriented – the town should continue to move toward completing the family dynamics of the community. This includes developing bike paths for families to increase the extracurricular activities available.
Other issues that the council will need address quickly are the highway ring road which will provide easier, safer access to the businesses south of Highway 1, as well as the general condition of our roads to increase mobility throughout town. Dealing with these issues sooner rather than later will increase the safety of our streets.
Affordable places to live are always on everyone’s mind – and I believe the town should continue to provide affordable housing, as well as work with developers to build homes to see our population grow to expand the future of our town. By increasing housing, we will also be able to attract businesses to Strathmore to expand the business sector and employment opportunities available locally. Likewise, the council needs to lobby the provincial government to take care of our aging population by providing more extended-care beds.