A metal recycling business owner who wants to make Red Deer a better place has entered the local political fray.
Bob Bevins, 48, of Bulldog Metals, is the latest candidate under the Red Deer First slate to announce he will run for a city council seat in the Oct. 21 election.
The four declared Red Deer First hopefuls share the same principles of fiscal responsibility, transparency and accountability, economic development, safer streets and quality of life.
Bevins said what sets him apart is his strong business sense. Bevins said when the economy plunged a few years ago, his business was affected. He had to reduce his workforce but since that time he has rebuilt his company with a larger workforce.
“I don’t think people talk enough about how important businesses are,” said Bevins. “Businesses get taxed more than residential and they are actually job creaters.”
Bevins said he wants to improve Red Deer’s economy and attract more businesses to the city. He has a strong desire to make Red Deer even better.
“I think we need to work where we are at as a city,” said Bevins, who moved to Red Deer in 1998 from Charlottetown, P.E.I. “We don’t mind spending money to enhance the quality of our lives but let’s cut out some unnecessary spending.”
Bevins, a married father of five, said for the most part he felt the city was being run well until the early 2000s. Lately, he said there has been a lot of spending on seemingly pet projects.
“Instead of standing on the sidelines complaining, I am going to be a citizen and actually try to do something,” he said.
Bevins said his goal is not to have a job at city council but to change the mindset of spending.
“I have kids and I want them to enjoy the benefits of this great city but not be hampered with large debt,” said Bevins. “Debt is a necessary evil but large debt is something we’ve got to control now or it will eat us later.”
Also running in the running for council are Serge Gingras, Tanya Handley, Troy Wavrecan, Darren Young, Lawrence Lee, Calvin Goulet-Jones and Matt Chapin.
At least four current councillors, including Paul Harris, Dianne Wyntjes, Lynne Mulder and Buck Buchanan, will seek re-election.
Mayor Morris Flewwelling is not seeking re-election. Coun. Cindy Jefferies and Chad Mason are running for mayor.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com