Town hall meetings to connect residents with their MLA

Miriam Ostermann
Times Associate Editor

 

Strathmore-Brooks MLA Derek Fildebrandt is falling back on success observed during his campaign and is proposing town-hall-style meetings once a month, to connect with members of his constituency.
The format previously provided Fildebrandt with much feedback and a chance to meet his voters. By offering 12 meetings throughout various communities, he now is determined to reconnect and address local or province-wide issues that are localized.
“People often, especially in the smaller communities, are disconnected from their representatives for the government and this is a way to ensure that I stay directly tuned into the concerns of the people and their local communities and they have a chance to say their piece,” said Fildebrandt.
“Maybe five people show up, maybe 50 people show up. I want to give people a chance to meet face to face in their community on a regular basis.”
Certain issues have already popped up on his radar, such as the water issues involving Rockyford, Carseland, and Gleichen. Fildebrandt recently toured the Strathmore Hospital that continues to be an on-going issue in town.
Having advocated for the hospital in the legislature, the tour provided Fildebrandt with an in-depth picture of the working conditions and lack of upgrades.
“People were promised one thing by the previous provincial government and given another, and we have to look at how we best remedy that with what we have,” Fildebrandt said. “The hospital is in critical need of an upgrade. There are people, at times, who are being treated in chairs in the hallway rather than in a proper bed. The emergency room is in dire need of an upgrade and expansion, and I’m going to be working with the provincial government to see if there is a partnership there for this expansion.”
He added the opportunity allowed him to hear from the experts who are familiar with the situation and receive input on how they believe the situation needs to be dealt with.
According to the Wildrose Party representative, the town hall meetings will commence in Strathmore, Brooks, and Bassano before heading to smaller communities. The Strathmore Legion will house a meeting for the public on Sept. 23 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.