Why Vote for Les?

It's a legitimate question. Here are my answers:

1. Experience as a school administrator has helped me to understand that the role of Mayor and Council is not to micro-manage the City's business. That's the job of the hired help, the City's administration and staff. The job of Aldermen and Mayor is to set policy and direction. City leaders must be imaginative visionaries who work with Administration to plan, implement, and monitor the City's growth and development.

2. As a 14 year resident and a community volunteer involved in more than 10 community boards and organizations--often in leadership roles--I believe I know this community and its more important needs.

3. I have made the study of City government and municipal issues my chief occupation over the past five years. I have done this by attending Council meetings, speaking to City Administrators, and attending public hearings, "open houses," and any fora dealing with City issues and development. I have been an active participant in these activities. My views have been registered in letters to the editor as well as vocally in these community meetings.

4. I have been a City employee and have experienced municipal government from "inside." As the City's first Community Inclusion Coordinator, I was tasked with a review of public facilities and properties and a review of every City publication--including bylaws and agreements. This knowledge has been invaluable to my understanding of how City government works.

I have sat on three City Boards and Committees including the Transit Advisory Committee (TAC), the Advisory Committee on Disability Issues (ACDI), and for a short term on the Social Development Advisory Board (SDAB). I have a current knowledge of the issues facing municipal government.

5. I love Medicine Hat and would not live anywhere else. Although I was not born here, I will surely die as a city resident. As an elected official, I will work to maintain the "advantages" we already have and ensure that our future needs are addressed to the City's full potential.

Public Safety and Common Sense Solutions

Any City Council faces decisions that fall in one of three broad categories: wishes, wants, and needs. Too often Councils of the past have bogged down on the "wants" and "wishes" to the detriment of "needs."

The highest priority needs are those related to public safety. The new Council must resolve several critical public safety issues in their term of office. The highest priority must be the Trans-Canada and Dunmore Road intersection. Traffic volumes have greatly increased with the Southlands commercial development and the addition of several housing developments.

All that is needed now is a negotiated agreement for senior government contributions to the creation of an overpass. All other inter-governmental issues are secondary to this.

Snow clearing is also a safety issue. Past Council's have not provided the budgets, manpower, and equipment needed to clear streets efficiently following big storms. There has also been an emphasis on snow "clearing" rather than "removal." The result is that graders plow snow up on sidewalks and block driveways. When this snow melts, ice makes both dangerous! More manpower as well as snow removal trucks , graders, and conveyors are needed. This means more tax dollars for snow removal budgets as a priority item.

In the past, some sidewalks were built with very narrow widths. An example is the sidewalk leading from Kin Coulee to the Medicine Hat College. While the narrow sidewalks stretched budget dollars, they have created safety issues for folks with motorized wheelchairs and even pedestrians who must pass each other. It's time to remedy the problems that the City's past economy has created.

Declaring Candidacy: It's All About Timing!

As nearly all incumbents for City Council declare their interest in running for re-election in the 2010 municipal election, the question arises, "Why haven't new candidates for office come forward?"

I believe there are several good reasons. First there is community focus. Folks are returning from holidays and getting ready for harvest activities or a return to school. Civic politics only matters to a few residents and the news media in August.

A second reason for delaying any declaration of candidacy is economy. Election campaigns are expensive, especially if they are self-financed as mine will be. A candidate wants to get the biggest bang for the buck as close to the actual election as possible. Candidates for office must register on September 20 and the election is not until October 18! That still leaves more than a month to capture the public's attention. And that month is when the community will focus on the civic election.

Yes, it's all about timing! A month still leaves ample time to plaster the city with posters, promotions, and platforms.