A fresh face to Red Deer has jumped into his new community with both feet, deciding to run for city council.
Victor Mobley, 24, moved to the city last year and has announced his candidacy.
He said there is a community consensus for change at City Hall and feels his fresh perspective would fit the bill.
“I’ve always been interested in politics and looking at it and talking to people around the city, it needs a change,” said Mobley. “We need people who are not going to stand there and spend the taxpayers’ dollars on frivolous projects.”
He described them as pet or legacy projects and pointed specifically to the Ross Street Patio and the Taylor Drive Concept Plan.
“The patio doesn’t look like there is consensus, talking to people in the city it doesn’t look it is something that is necessary because it removes lanes of traffic,” said Mobley.
He wants to build his candidacy around the concept of consensus.
“I really like it when someone asks me my opinion and tries to get my ideas of what is going on,” said Mobley. “You can’t run everyone’s opinion, obviously, but at the same time we can get an idea of what is happening in the community.”
Crime is also a concern of Mobley’s. He pointed to the city’s high rate of impaired driving specifically.
“That’s an epidemic, we’re number two in the province,” said Mobley. “That means people are viewing our city as it is OK to drive drunk. For every one we catch, how many do we not.”
Mobley is married and has a daughter. He works for Westward Parts.
Also in the running for council are newcomers Janella Spearing, Ken Johnston, David Helm, Serge Gingras, Tanya Handley, Troy Wavrecan, Darren Young, Lawrence Lee, Calvin Goulet-Jones, Bob Bevins and Matt Chapin, and incumbents Paul Harris, Dianne Wyntjes, Lynne Mulder and Buck Buchanan.
Mayor Morris Flewwelling is not seeking re-election. Coun. Cindy Jefferies, William Horn and Chad Mason are running for mayor.
mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com