Red Deer City Councillor Ken Johnston has joined the city’s mayoral race.
Johnston said on Monday he feels it’s “critical” at this juncture that Red Deer has a mayor with proven leadership, in professional life and in City Hall.
The city needs “a mayor who can lead, collaborate and serve with a dynamic council team toward a greater Red Deer,” said Johnston, who’s been “invested” in this city for 25 years, as a volunteer with various organizations, with his work in the financial sector (he is now retired), and his eight years on city council.
“Economic recovery led by a collaborative partnership with our business community, a safer and healthier community with a strategic approach to policing and crime prevention, and a collaborative sustainable solution to our social challenges in homelessness, addiction, and housing” are among his platforms.
Johnston said he intends to elaborate more on his positions and ideas in the days ahead.
So far, four other candidates have officially filed papers indicating they are running for mayor of Red Deer in the municipal election this fall: James Allen, a former cadet who’s held various jobs, joins businessman Dwight Hickey, former oilfield supervisor Brad Magee, and electrician and entrepreneur Jeremy Moore in the race.
On Friday, Mayor Tara Veer announced she will not be running for re-election on Oct. 18.