A Red Deer father wants to create a strong, stable and safe community for his children.
Calvin Goulet-Jones, 26, owner of a local tile setting company, confirmed on Thursday that he is making a run for city council.
The 26-year-old is the man behind the recent petition calling on city council to hire more front-line police officers. Goulet-Jones said he has a strong interest in politics and has given the decision serious thought for several months.
“Over the past 10 years our citizens have started to become aware of the excessive tax increases to both our utilities and our property taxes,” said Goulet-Jones in an emailed statement. “Citizens have become aware of the rising crime within the city. Citizens have become aware of the pure waste within government for which council is not held accountable.”
He also cited concerns of streets not being plowed in the winter, pot holes not being filled, graffiti and under-used bike lanes.
“Unfortunately, you and I, the taxpayer, have to foot the bill for these follies of council and now we are headed to $258-million debt by the end of this year,” said Goulet-Jones. “Council ought to be ashamed of itself for its wastefulness and near blatant disregard for the taxpayers. I am running to bring change to Red Deer.”
Goulet-Jones said he will work hard to ensure Red Deerians receive service for their municipal tax dollars. If elected, Goulet-Jones said he will be accountable and a “fiscal hawk.”
“I will dedicate myself to eliminating waste and delivering good value to our citizens,” he said. “I will make sure that tax dollars are spent where the citizens will get the most value and not on the desires of citizen lobby groups, individual councillors and city staff, such as we experienced with the bike lane implementation.”
Goulet-Jones has lived in Red Deer since 2010 with his wife, Erin, who is expecting their third child.
The next civic election is on Oct. 21. Nomination day is Sept. 23.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com