Village of Rockyford Candidates

 

DARCY BURKE

   I was first elected to Rockyford Village Council in October 1998.  During these years on council I have learned that as elected officials we need to be good listeners.  We have to respect the fact that everyone has an opinion and has the right to express it and that we make sound decisions based on public input and supportive research.  We also have to consider how the decision will impact the municipality, our residents and our neighbors.  

     My main objectives for the 2010 election are to continue to work with neighboring municipalites to secure a regional water source.  I will also be working diligently to secure the funding from Alberta Infrastructure for our sewage lagoon expansion.  Once the funding has been approved we will then be able to move forward with the construction of the north residential subdivison.  As a councilor,  I would continue to promote Rockyford as a welcoming community that is a great place to raise a family, start a business, or a place to retire or small town living at its finest.

 

JULIE GAUDET

I am Juliann Gaudet (aka Julie), a resident of Rockyford since 2004 and a Rockyford councilor since 2007.  My past experiences include legal secretary, courthouse administrator, manager for the Nakusp BC Chamber of Commerce and their economic development officer. 

 What are my main objectives for the 2010 election Campaign? I am pro-development and pro-growth. Our Village has shrunk over the past few years; we need new people with new thinking and a new direction. We need to do what we need to do to cause businesses in our Village to succeed. I believe growing Rockyford will spread the tax burden and create some ease for our many retired citizens. I see my first term as a training session; I can do so much more in the next three years. My first term, combined with my legal and civic experiences well qualifies me to represent Rockyford taxpayers in the many struggles and concerns we share. As a retiree myself, I can offer more time and effort to my post than most of my council peers. My past record as a councilor will speak for itself. Choose growth and development. VOTE JULIE FOR COUNCIL!

 

GERALD KATTERHAGEN

Keeping our school here I think should be the main objective of council. Not only is it best, by far, for all the children living here, it also completes our community as a place where young couples would want to live and raise a family. For people that don’t have children, they should know that losing the school could very well bring down the value of our homes and properties in the area. 

Also trying to get new businesses to move to Rockyford is something I’m persuing.  This would be very good for our economy and would definitely help keep our taxes down and give us capital to work with to make improvements.

I’m sure that new people running for office are going to mention a lot of changes for the village that the current council would have loved to have accomplished over the years, but without raising the taxes considerably it just wasn’t possible. Improving our streets was always a major objective and we’ve done what we could afford and still maintain them as best we can. New paved streets would be wonderful but would cost millions of dollars that our small village just doesn’t have. I love Rockyford and enjoy working to keep it the wonderful place it is.

 

DIXIE O’KEEFE

My priorities as a town councillor will be:

Financial Responsibility

• Lower property taxes in Rockyford by generating interest in the town. Bring businesses and residents to the area. Promote Rockyford to fellow Albertans. Begin a dialogue with Calgarians, realtors and builders to promote Rockyford.

Infrastructure and Roads

• Pave residential streets

• Upgrade sewer systems and the lagoon to accommodate the growth of Rockyford

Planning and Development

• Ensure that The Rockyford School remains open for our families and children

• Let’s revive interest in planning and building a sub-division to attract commuters from Calgary.  Most communities close to Calgary are far too expensive and Rockyford has so much to offer. Our Village is only 40 minutes from the Calgary city limits and that could be very attractive to so many people who are ready for a lifestyle change.

Health and Lifestyle

•Promote The Rockyford Rodeo and other Rockyford events; Let’s generate interest in our community.

 

LEAH SMITH

To show who I am, what I believe in and to show how experience is a good thing. Answer all questions concise and correct, and above all, be available for constituents to voice concerns and opinions.

 

PAM SEELEY

I’m Pam Seeley and I am running for counselor for the Village of Rockyford.  I am running for council because I am a community oriented person and would like to make more of a contribution.  I would like to see Rockyford continue with its initiative to remain a viable force within the province with its forward thinking ways.  With Rockyford being on the fringe of a bedroom community we can benefit from our location.  Rockyford has large potential for growth in both the residential and business areas and I feel that needs to be promoted.  I would also like to see Rockyford make long term solutions to infrastructure issues within the community.  That being said, I also realize the limitations small towns face in this area.  Youth are the cornerstone to any community and need to be nurtured and attracted to our village.  Finding new ways to do this is always difficult but I would like to see what our youth are looking for and maybe provide some of the things needed to keep them in the community.  Being new to the political arena I also plan on spending a fair amount of time learning and observing the issues at hand.  I believe within the year I will be able to address the issues from a positive and fresh perspective and by adding new ideas to the group of councilors.  I hope to keep Rockyford moving forward to sustain and improve on the great community it already is.  Thank-you to all the people, for making Rockyford a great place to live and raise our children.