Combining a background in business and personal experience with mental health, Rick More wants to bring this knowledge to Red Deer city council.
A born and raised Red Deerian, More works for the Red Deer and District Chamber of Commerce and is currently the manager of membership and community relations.
“What really got me thinking about it is the safety and crime rate issue,” said More. “I’m getting tired of reading about what’s happening. I really think we have to put a stranglehold on this right away. It’s time to put a stop to it.”
He said his experience with the chamber gives him a background in business and promoting the local economy.
“It brings employment and a tax base to the city and that’s very important to us,” said More. “They’ve had enough thrown at them lately from the provincial and federal governments.”
In 2015, More founded Smiles Thru Lindsey, after his daughter who battled depression and committed suicide. The organization tries to provide financial help to those with mental illness, taking particular aim at young adults.
“I’ve been involved more so than ever before tackling mental health issues and depression,” said More. “That spurs out to so many other layers including homelessness and drug use. I’m entrenched in the city with the issue.”
He also noted a correlation between mental health with homelessness and drug use and how those issues can tie up police resources.
“We can’t expect the RCMP to solve our social problems, they’re just reacting,” said More. “Until we as a city discover we really have to tackle this head on, the issues aren’t going to improve. It will be a revolving door.”
He says he brings a well-rounded perspective on the community, combining a knowledge of business and economic concerns while balancing it with a need to address mental health, homelessness and drug use and its impact on crime and safety.
Election day is Oct. 16.
mcrawford@reddeeradvocate.com