With the heart and soul of Red Deer in mind, a first-time councillor is seeking a second mandate.
Coun. Dianne Wyntjes said her heart and ears are to the ground to make Red Deer better.
“I like to think about what people need,” said Wyntjes. “I am a good community citizen. I care about my city. I plan to live here in my retirement. I am willing to work hard and to listen. I see this as a full-time job. I don’t do it as a secondary job. It is my job.”
Over the last three years, Wyntjes said council had a good track record with its work related to governance and the mid-year budget review.
On personal level, she was most proud of the motion to keep Michener Centre open, working to keep Red Deer’s water clean and most recently the conversations around a living wage in the city.
She said these issues are important because they are the decisions that impact residents.
“Our infrastructure and roads are very important but at the end of the day it’s the issues that impact people,” said Wyntjes.
But she pointed out this council spent the most money historically on road maintenance in Red Deer.
The 54-year-old said her mandate has not changed much from 2010 because she said her values and principles have not changed.
She is championing environmental issues, safety and economic development.
With three years under her political belt, Wyntjes said she has the experience and drive to serve residents.
Wyntjes said she works well with others and believes in collaboration.
Wyntjes is married to Allan, 54, a dairy and beef farmer.
She is a former provincial/regional director of CUPE, where she worked for more than 30 years.
Also in the running for council are incumbents Buck Buchanan, Lynne Mulder, Paul Harris and Frank Wong. Newcomers Dan McKenna, Jerry Anderson, Lawrence Lee, Matt Chapin, David Helm, Terry Balgobin, Victor Mobley, Calvin Goulet-Jones, Tanya Handley, Dawna Morey, Jonathan Wieler, Serge Gingras, Bob Bevins, Ken Johnston, Janella Spearing, Troy Wavrecan and Darren Young are also running.
Councillors Cindy Jefferies and Tara Veer and newcomers William Horn and Chad Mason are running for mayor.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com