A retired businessman wants to give back to the community that has been good to him.
Jerry Anderson, 66, a former hobby store owner, is tossing his hat into the Red Deer city council ring.
Anderson said he has had concerns with how the city has been run since the current administration took office.
Anderson has lived in Red Deer since 1987.
No. 1 on his list is accountability from senior administration and city council on the good and the mistakes.
“Council and senior administration have to take responsibility for the decisions they make,” said Anderson.
“Personally I would not want to sit in an in-camera meeting. If you have elected me to represent you, you want to see what I am doing. I do believe, yes, there are some things that shouldn’t been said until the research has been made and the decision has been made, yes, I do agree with that. But I don’t believe in making decisions in-camera where the public can’t see what’s going on.”
Anderson said he lives and worked downtown so he is more familiar with the downtown than the average person. But he said the broader issues of education, health care and roads are issues for everyone. He said money should be spent on fixing potholes, sidewalks and other infrastructure needs.
“There’s better ways to spend our money than planting plaques all over downtown and putting up monuments to pat yourself on the back for doing a job that you are well paid for,” said Anderson.
Anderson does not believe in basing city decisions on the work of out-of-country consultants.
He said he is a vocal person and listening to Red Deerians is his top goal.
He believes council should be a full-time job and one he’s willing to take.
Anderson said a vote for him would be a vote for change.
Newcomers Dan McKenna, Terry Balgobin, Dawna Morey, Victor Mobley, Jonathan Wieler, Janella Spearing, Ken Johnston, David Helm, Serge Gingras, Tanya Handley, Troy Wavrecan, Darren Young, Lawrence Lee, Calvin Goulet-Jones, Bob Bevins and Matt Chapin are also in the running. Incumbents Paul Harris, Dianne Wyntjes, Lynne Mulder, Frank Wong and Buck Buchanan are seeking another term.
Councillors Cindy Jefferies and Tara Veer and William Horn and Chad Mason are vying for mayor.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com