Wheatland County Candidates

 

Division 1

 

ALICE BOOTH

My objective for the 2010 election is to serve the rate payers of Wheatland County. I will continue to tackle and make difficult dicissions that comes forward. I have always been willing to listen to the concerns, issues and problems of the people who live in my area. I also tried, to the best of my ability, to resolve any issue. I wish to be open, transparent, available and accountable to the rate payers of Wheatland County. I have an open door policy for all rate payers to either come to my home or give me a phone call about their concerns. I will continue to work with our present and future business partners, along with all the rancher and farmers living within our County boundaries. All off the businesses are needed to make our County grow and they all need good routes on which to deliver their product. Therefore, I will continue to fight for new infrastructure to be built and paved, to move all the goods to various markets. 

 At present I sit on the Canadian Badlands Tourism Board as Treasurer. I am working with many others in our jurisdiction to develop Tourism in the Wheatland County, and developing an inventory of the attractions that we have. I am interested in preserving our heritage and saving our historical sites, artefacts, and old documents that pertain to the history of our towns. I’m presently on the parks committee and if I am re-elected I would like to work with the community groups, towards improving the camp grounds and play grounds in the Wheatland County. In the past three years, I have had the privilege of sitting on the Community Futures Wild Rose Board, and helping it met all of its present obligations.  I am also the Vice President of the Handi-Bus Association, and I sit on two fire department boards and one seed cleaning plant board.

Since I have been a councillor I have been taking elected official courses, I have 

six courses completed and one more core course to finish, and receive my Government Certificate of Achievement. (All of the courses have been paid for by me,) I believe in keeping abreast of all up-to-date 

 

GUY CHRISTIE

My wife and I have lived in this County now for more than five years and have enjoyed every minute of it, I wish I made the move years ago.

My parents families farm or have farmed in Vulcan County for going on four generations and I loved being part of that when I was a kid. 

I used to go with my Dad during harvest and rode the combine and the grain truck or had to climb in the bins to shovel grain. The sense of community back then was prevalent even at that young age. 

I grew up in Calgary and spent the better part of my life there but in the past few years the sense of community has diminished.

The rural lifestyle the family values and the friends we’ve made here are priceless.

I want to contribute to this community and the best way I feel I can do that is by running for Council.

I want to get to know more people and be their voice when ideas or issues move them.

I want to understand the issues that affect my neighbours and to ensure that the lifestyle and values are protected.

Every time you turn around there’s changes that affect the way of life whether it’s the rail lines closing, the price of grain/livestock, the cost of living, school closures, road changes/diversion, I could go on.

Towns, villages, hamlets and the family farm need more support than ever.

I want to be part of all this, I want to be the voice for the constituents, to understand the issues and also present ideas that may help bring positive change.

Please join me for a meet & greet on October 4th at the UFA Wheatland Co-op from 9am till 11am for coffee, pastries and conversation.

 

SUZANNE JACKSON

County Council requires a councillor who is energetic, enjoys meeting people, listens to the constituents and believes in a common sense approach.  I offer all of these.  I believe that service to ones community happens in various ways.  This would be my opportunity.    I have a strong desire to learn the issues and keep an open mind.  It is important to make thoughtful and informed decisions and do it all with honesty and integrity.  I have a warm and approachable manner, am well organized and have experience as an articulate speaker.  Sitting on council also requires courage, and most of all, resilience.  Having farmed in the area for twenty five years, raised two grown sons, I am aware of several issues that are of importance to our ratepayers. Proper roads, which are not subject to road bans and the County issue of the proposed realignment of the Trans Canada Highway, are examples of ratepayers concerns.   New challenges and a learning curve are to be expected.  It is vital to bring a connection between the seven divisions, the communities within Wheatland County and the Council itself.  I will do my best to be your representative.  I believe that I possess all the tools necessary to be your choice in Division One and be part of a strong and dynamic Council.  It is time for a new voice…your voice.

 

DIVISION 2

 

JESSICA BISSONNETTE

My main objective is to be a fresh, new voice for the families in Division 2 of Wheatland County, with consideration for the future growth of the County. I believe we need to take into consideration all the communities within the county and the direction in which they are going. All future Wheatland County Council decisions should be made with this issue of growth at the forefront. We need to make sure that our communities are supported to ensure families are confident that this is the best possible place to live and thrive.

 

JACKI KIRK

I believe that I have the necessary skills and commitment to be an effective Councillor.  Having taught Jr High School for 18 years, I am a life-long learner with excellent communication, observation and creative problem solving skills.  I commuted to Calgary from Gleichen for 15 of those years, and owned and ran a business in Gleichen for 8 years, so I know how important local employment is to the quality of life in our county, and I understand the challenges that face our small business owners.  I raised a son who graduated in our community, so I appreciate the  importance of local schools.  I am concerned about the impact of unregulated growth, but I am not a fan of over-regulation.  I believe it is government’s responsibility to be fiscally and environmentally accountable. 

According to the Municipal Government Act, the primary duty of an elected councillor is“to consider the welfare and interests of the municipality as a whole and to bring to council’s attention anything that would promote the welfare or interests of the municipality”.  I believe that Division 2’s residents need increased opportunity to express their concerns and opinions, as well as an arena in which to share their ideas, knowledge and expertise.  During this campaign, the media is providing specific topics for candidates to address.  It is naive for a candidate who is not currently a councillor to believe that s/he is well informed enough to make declarative statements about any particular issue.  However, I will, of course, use all sources of available information as well as my own observations to address these topics.  Residents of Wheatland County can help me this by visiting www.jackikirk.ca.  By clicking on contact me, you can send me a private/personal email, or you can submit a public comment after any posting found there.

 

KEN SAUVE

Was unavailable as of press time.

 

 

DIVISION 5

 

DENNIS BIGRAS

1. I believe there is a need to enable our communities to have more of a voice in resolving what should be done on local issues. Example, in recent school debates, there were some very good ideas presented from the communities. It was easy to see that they were ready to take on some of the responsibilities in achieving a win/win solution. My objective would be to aid that type of thinking in generating those ideas from communities. I think that getting buy-in is all about taking on ownership, and will result in a more firm commitment to achieving a successful outcome by all parties involved.

2. I intend to listen to all constituents who want to put forward their concerns and opinions. I believe there are no bad ideas just better ones, and that my objective is to filter and find the common perspective without bias that best represents the majority of concern and opinion for the area I represent.

3. Divisions/Wards 3, 4 & 5 are the border areas to M.D. of Rockyview and the international city of Calgary. These divisions will continue being the first areas to feel the growth from Calgary. My objective is to achieve a clear understanding of what Division 5  wants on long term development planning, and that these plans be agreed upon well before approving those development permits.

4. We have to address and find a better solution for road maintenance. My commitment would be to increase frequency analysis of traffic patterns that target volume and load size throughout the year. Areas identified as high traffic and load use should receive more resource attention for repair and possible dust control.

Visit www.bigras-ward5.info

 

SCOTT KLASSEN

I am married, 39 yrs old with three children. My wife and I are small business owners. I grew up in the Nightingale area but, like most moved away to pursue a career, we choose to move back three years ago to raise our family.

I want to be division 5 councillor because I feel I have the knowledge and experience by working for over fifteen years in municipal government as an operator and manager. I am familiar with budgeting, cost control, infrastructure, planning, and development. In these hard times I would expect Wheatland County to balance service and costs and in doing so reduce property taxes for the ratepayers.

I feel with my experience and a common sense approach this would make me a good choice for district 5 councillor in Wheatland County. If you have any questions or concerns I can be reached at 403-901-6541, please exercise your right to vote.

 

BRENDA KNIGHT

After serious thought, research and consultation, I made the decision and commitment to enter civic politics.  I’m looking forward to the challenge of conducting the business of Wheatland County on behalf of Division 5 and all County residents and landowners.

I don’t have a personal agenda and believe in community service, so it seems like a natural progression.  Some of my past and present community contributions include the Classroom Agricultural Program 4-H Leader, Calgary Stampede Ag Education Committee, Strathmore & District Agricultural Society and the Royal Canadian Legion #10.

Over the next few weeks, I will be knocking on your door.  I’m looking forward to discussing any issues and concerns you may have.  If elected, and although I am only one of seven on council, I’m confident I will be your voice.