Red Deer city council candidate Stephen Coop is not making many election promises because he says it takes a group to move them forward.
Coop, 57, an Associated Cab taxi driver, was born in Calgary and has lived in Red Deer since 1992.
Coop started his career working in newspapers as a reporter and photojournalist before moving to public relations work with the provincial government.
He is also a former justice education co-ordinator for the John Howard Society in Red Deer.
“I believe the citizens build the city,” said Coop.
“City Hall doesn’t. I think a council is a sounding board of the community.
“It is up to the community to build their city. I am only offering to be there as a public service.”
Coop said he is not running for council with a plan to change a lot of things but to learn, listen and contribute.
“There are major costs involved in a developing city,” said Coop.
“I think part of what needs to be happen is some better communication.
“People need to understand what is being done and why . . . some fairly simple basic principles of communication seem to be missing.”
Coop does not support the city moving to a ward system because he said it would be very expensive and the citizens would not get the representation they seek.
Coop wants to have discussions around moving council into a full-time job.
“It is in the interest of the community that the elected people are there with a full-time commitment,” said Coop.
“A full-time commitment to the city is necessary.”
Coop has volunteered on political campaigns in Edmonton.
His platform pledge is to donate 500 Crimson Star columbines, Red Deer’s official flower, to the community.
Other council hopefuls are Jerry Anderson, Betty LynBaker, Terry Balgobin, Bob Bevins, Buck Buchanan (incumbent), Matt Chapin, 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 and Chad Mason.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com