City council candidate Bettylyn Baker says building relationships is essential for Red Deer’s future.
Baker is a former teacher and is the owner of Learning Links, a home-based business dealing with vision for adults and children with learning disabilities.
“My platform is basically to maintain community,” said Baker. “Balance with budget and social. Building relationships is key because without those we have nothing in Red Deer.”
Baker said the challenges ahead for Red Deer include ensuring infrastructure is in place, maintaining balance of services and working with other municipalities and the province.
She says she has board experience to offer the city. She is the chairperson of the Red Deer Native Friendship Society board. In the past, she has sat on the Catholic Social Services boards locally and provincially.
She is an active volunteer at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
“It’s a beautiful city and we need to make sure we maintain a combination of business, arts, family, social,” said Baker. “All of those things combined (will keep) it the vibrant community that it is.”
Baker has lived in Red Deer since 1986. She is the mother of three. In 2004, she unsuccessfully ran for the Red Deer Catholic Regional School board.
Baker said her passion and commitment for Red Deer and relationship building sets her apart from the other candidates.
“I am passionate and caring,” said Baker. “I am honest and I shoot from the hip. I am pretty up front. If I have a question, I will ask it.”
Baker is not using any signs or brochures during her campaign for environmental reasons. She will be at the upcoming Red Deer Public Markets.
Other council hopefuls are Jerry Anderson, Terry Balgobin, Bob Bevins, Buck Buchanan (incumbent), Matt Chapin, Stephen Coop, Garry Didrikson, Serge Gingras, Calvin Goulet-Jones, Tanya Handley, Paul Harris (incumbent), David Helm, Lloyd Johnson, Ken Johnston, Tim Lasiuta, Lawrence Lee, Dan McKenna, Victor Mobley, Dennis Moffat, Dawna Morey, Lynne Mulder (incumbent), Ben Ordman, Janella Spearing, Troy Wavrecan, Jonathan Wieler, Frank Wong (incumbent), Dianne Wyntjes (incumbent), Darren Young and Calvin Yzerman.
The five-way mayoral race includes Councillors Cindy Jefferies and Tara Veer and newcomers William Horn, Dennis Trepanier and Chad Mason.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com