Meet the candidates

We asked council members running for re-election on Oct. 21 ‘why are you running again, what makes you want to come back, what is your campaign platform?’

 

Please note – Strathmore Mayor Steve Grajczyk, Wheatland County councillor Brenda Knight (Division 5) and Wheatland County councillor Alice Booth (Division 1) are running the 2013 election. However, their campaign platforms were not available as of press time and will appear in next week’s issue.

 

Bob Sobol

I set mid-May as the deadline to decide if I would run or not.  It was a tough decision …. being a Councillor can take up more time than one would imagine!  For most of my adult life, however, I have been focused on making things better … to try and make a positive influence wherever I worked or played.  Certainly, that was true throughout my 30 year RCMP career. After retiring from the Mounties, I moved to Strathmore in early 2003 and although I easily fell in love with the Town, it was evident to me that some things needed improvement.  I’ve spent the last six years working on many; many issues, which I feel, have improved the quality of life in Strathmore (from more pathways to safer communities to establishing a basis for future economic growth).  Lots more work is required, and that’s why I decided to run for a third term.  Some of the goals I have for the next term are ambitious: (Increasing our commercial tax base, ensuring balanced budgets with little or no tax increases, establishing a formal plan for downtown revitalization, which will be supported by everyone, and to continue to investigate a better level of public transportation between our town and other communities.  The easy goals are to continue to do my job with leadership, honesty and integrity and to continue to listen to and respond to the needs of our ever-changing community.  I have no hidden agendas and will answer only to the citizens of Strathmore.

 

 

John Rempel

I have been a resident of Strathmore for 31 years, and have always been involved with the community for as long as I have lived here.  I owned and operated a business in Strathmore for 23 years.  I have served on Council for 13 years and have thoroughly enjoyed each and every moment, and I look forward to serving another term as your Town Councillor.  For that to happen I ask for your support at the polls on Oct. 21.

I will continue to contribute to resolving the issues at hand in a constructive manner.

I bring the following attributes to the table: experience, integrity, dedication, approachable, accountable, and always keeping the taxpayer in mind.

 Campaign Platform.

·Saving the long term care wing in our hospital.

I have attended numerous meetings with health care officials, doctors, our MLA, employees, other elected officials, and most importantly the users (our seniors), regarding ways to save our long term care wing at the hospital; more meetings have been scheduled in the near future. Closing it is not an option!

·Sewer, Water and Development.

I will continue to research ways to reduce the cost of our sewer and water rates. We have a state of the art facility that was designed to handle a population of 30,000 people; we have 12,000 people that are paying for it.

 We have approved a number of Area Structure Plans this year and development is slowly starting up again. 

As new subdivisions open up and our population increases, so will the contributions towards paying for and operating the facility through offsite levies, taxes and meter charges.

 

 

Pat Fule

My name is Pat Fule and I am running for re-election for the position of Town Councillor.  I’m running again because there are projects that I’d like to be involved in, to help keep Strathmore moving forward.  I think we’ve made huge strides bringing in events to advertise what a great town Strathmore is.  We are going to be hosting the +55 Alberta Summer Games, and I’d love to be a part of the planning.  I’ve also learned a lot this past three years, and I think my experience will help with future town planning.  I am a big proponent of parks and pathways, and I really want to strive for more of these so that all of our residents can get out and travel throughout the town on these pathways.  I’ve also gotten some good ideas at a Downtown Revitalization Conference, so I want to work toward finding ways to help our downtown with real, practical solutions.

My platform is to keep bringing in events to help Strathmore’s economy. I’d like to keep working toward developing our Commercial land South of the #1 Highway.  

This would help with our tax base, and ease residential taxes.  We also need to really start putting away money for a new recreation complex for all Strathmore residents, while keeping taxes to a reasonable limit.  Strathmore needs to continue its “greening” process with parks, and pathways, to ensure healthy living in our town.   

Thank you for your time, Pat Fule.

 

 

Rocky Blokland

I, Rocky Blokland, am happy to announce my intentions to let my name stand for the position of councillor – Town of Strathmore. 

I have always said from the start of this term that I would like to serve for two terms. I feel experience is the best teacher! Having sat on this council for three years I know I have the experience now. 

Combine that with my common sense and business sense approach I can bring and deliver a lot at council level for the next term.

As a councillor for this term I’ve learned to debate, but with an open mind, being non-critical and able to listen to my fellow councillors. 

All of the above, I believe, makes me a respectable, honest and efficient councillor!

These are the reasons I want to come back for a second term. There are ongoing issues, some two to three years back, that still haven’t been resolved, and they will surface in the next council. I want to be part of those issues and debates as the come along. 

I’m also very committed to downtown beautification and revitalization. We’ve made tremendous headway on this matter. We got a long way to go, but I want to be part of that process. 

Green space is high on my list, as is the continuous program of pathways moving forward. Zoning bylaws were amended to protect Kinsmen Park. 

In all, Strathmore I believe is on the verge of moving forward with development. Strathmore is a great place to live, and I’m proud of it!

Thank you,

Councillor Rocky Blokland. 

 

 

Dave Hamilton

I enjoy the challenge of municipal politics and there are more items on the agenda that are coming up in the future that I would like to be part of.

I help the community as much as I can in regard to keeping taxes the same or lowering them and with trying to attract businesses big or small into town. One of the things I would like to see is more pathways and more trees and horticulture, more parks.

This is part of my campaign platform. There are other things that will be brought out during the campaign, questions that will be asked and answered.

I’m also interested seeing what happens with the downtown beautification with the new overlay bylaw hopefully being brought forward and passed and hopefully follow up with that.

 

 

Wheatland County

 

Ben Armstrong

I am putting my name forward to represent Division # 7 in Wheatland County. 

I’ve enjoyed my last 20 years working with and for the ratepayers of Wheatland County and would be honored if the residents of Division 7 allowed me to continue. 

There are some very exciting times coming up! 

I would love to see some of the programs that I’ve been working on go through to some final conclusion. 

For example the Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association project, the Regional Water Partnership and the final paving of a couple of local roads. 

It was a real pleasure for me to see Golden Hills School Division get through second reading for their new Wheatland East Regional School. The residents of this area have worked hard for a lot of years to accomplish this, and it was a very good feeling to be part of the process … especially when it comes to a positive conclusion. 

To anyone wishing to put their name forward as a candidate in this election, I wish them luck and remind them that it is no longer a part time position. 

If you are not attending meetings, then you are continually reading and familiarizing yourself with everything from A to Z. 

It is very rewarding, but it does tend to consume you if you let it.  

Once more I extend a big thank you to the residents of Division #7, for allowing me to serve you for 20 years and hopefully you will allow me to continue for the next four.

If you have any concerns, please contact me through my phone, e-mail, or in person when we meet out in public. 

Hoping you have a very good harvest!

 

 

Glenn Koester

I have been privileged to serve on Wheatland Council for the last ten years and I am hoping that the residents of Division 6 will consider re-electing me to represent them again.

As a farmer in the Rockyford and Rosebud area, I see the issues that affect my friends and neighbours. 

As a Councillor; I try to find a balance that will help individuals solve their problems, but also work toward good solutions for all the County ratepayers. There can be many sides to the issues, which sometimes complicate things, but I try to help those involved to understand all the factors in play. I am always open to talking with people and encourage them to write letters, or gather together and present their concerns in council chambers.

Over the last dozen years, we have seen more industrial and oil and gas development in our area. While it provides employment and reduces the tax burden on the residential population, I am also vigilant in making sure that things are done right and landowner’s interests and the environment are also protected. Establishing good guidelines through our Municipal Development Plan will monitor development and protect the great things about our rural lifestyle.

During these last terms, I have worked towards the development of the Regional Water Partnership and getting adequate wastewater facilities in place that will ensure services for Division 6 and the surrounding communities. Our division is a little farther from the main population centres and I think the continuation of the ten year road plan will ensure good transportation routes for our area. 

Rosebud is seeing increased development. I think it is important to continue support for it’s unique cultural and community initiatives.

I have always found residents in my division to be open and welcoming and I am sure new residents will enjoy contributing to the County’s various activities. If any residents have other issues or suggestions I am always open and interested to hear about them.

We have a good team in the present Council and a great staff. I enjoy working through the day to day business with them. If elected, I will also continue to direct Division 6 and Wheatland County issues to officials in other levels of government, ensuring our interests are upheld in regional and provincial arenas. My council and committee experiences have helped me develop the confidence and knowledge of the appropriate channels needed to keep Wheatland County interests in the forefront of decision maker’s minds.

I hope everyone will get out and vote. It is really important to participate in the governing process. I wish good luck to all those who will be running as candidates in this coming election and I hope to see you in Council Chambers at its conclusion.

 

 

 

Berniece Bland

To all my constituents, yes I am running again in Division 4. I have really enjoyed my time on council. I have made it a priority to go out to community events and committee meetings to have meaningful conversations with the public and hear their concerns.  I enjoy the people in my area. When issues arise, it is discussed and dealt with. The amount of meetings was a surprise to me when I first started. I had to stop my previous job to fit it all in, but have not regretted it. My new 2012 vehicle has put on 70,000 km. So my message to new candidates is to prepare for a busy schedule if you are elected. I have been involved with several projects in my term and I hope I will be staying on to see them through. Wishing the best for all the candidates in the coming election and I hope everyone will go out and vote.

 

 

Don Vander Velde

I am glad to announce that I am running again in Division 3. For the last six years I have served on council, I have found that I learn something new every day.  I care about the ratepayer’s concerns. I believe in returning all phone calls good or bad and try to be available to my residents 24-7. Together we will find solutions and work through your concerns. The ratepayers in my division are a great bunch and I look forward to developing good relationships with them.

 I would like to be able to see through some of the projects that the County has started, such as the Regional Water Line, SAEWA, and the 10 year road building program. It is one of my goals to see the Carseland West development begin, gaining water licenses and environmental approvals, while working with the Siksika Nation on those issues. I also support the development of a successful Fire department in Carseland. I think continued development in agriculture, small acreages and industrial operations is important for the County. The challenge is to keep a balance between urban and rural interests. The interactions with the government over our hospital and health care issues will be ongoing and I want to be in Council to work through some solutions in that area. Committee work can be challenging, but I was really glad to be a part of the positive ticketing program and SWAT for our youth. New candidates should be prepared to listen and learn as it is a whole new learning curve. However, the County of Wheatland staff are super to work with and council members are always open to help. Good luck to everyone and I hope to see everyone next term.