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Safety, transportation among issues for McKenna

Making Red Deer a safer place to live and improving transportation are high priorities for a Red Deer city council candidate.
B01-Dan-McKenna
Dan McKenna

Making Red Deer a safer place to live and improving transportation are high priorities for a Red Deer city council candidate.

Dan McKenna, 61, a casino gaming consultant who guides local charities through the process of putting on a fundraising casino, announced his intentions to run for council on Monday.

“I perceive myself to be the most honest politician that is ever going to sit in the seat in an elected capacity because when you see Dan McKenna you’re going to get the truth,” said McKenna.

“If you don’t like it, too bad because you are going to get the truth.”

McKenna says he’s straight forward with nothing pretentious about him.

“People will relate to me,” said McKenna. “I am a good old boy. I think people will gravitate to that. People want a down-home guy. If you think back to Ralph Klein, people gravitated to him because he was a good old boy.”

McKenna said he is disenchanted with the current council and feels residents need a new voice at the table.

McKenna said Red Deer was once rated the second most dangerous city in the country to live. While this is not the case any longer, the 61-year-old wants to ensure this stays the same while working with the local RCMP.

McKenna said he would like to improve the transportation options for people with disabilities and increase number of taxis operating in the city to ensure people have a safe ride home from bars.

He wants a closer look at city spending to improve accountability.

McKenna has lived in Red Deer for 20 years with wife, Bev. He has a step-son Calvin, 27, and a daughter Angela, 20. He has volunteered with local organizations including the Canadian Paraplegic Association.

Newcomers Jerry Anderson, 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, newcomers William Horn and Chad Mason are vying for mayor.

crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com