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DAVID HELM: City in need of repairs

A grain farmer who fixes vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycles says the City of Red Deer is in desperate need of repairs.
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A grain farmer who fixes vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycles says the City of Red Deer is in desperate need of repairs.

A grain farmer who fixes vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycles says the City of Red Deer is in desperate need of repairs.

And David Helm says he's just the man to do it.

Helm is the fifth candidate under the Red Deer First banner to declare intentions to run for Red Deer city council in the Oct. 21 civic election.

Helm, 58, said the current council's free-spending, liberal ways have bothered him to the point where he can "put up or shut up."

"It's time for me to get up and do something," said Helm.

"I think we have too far liberal of a government running the city right now and we need the conservative approach. Central Alberta people tend to be conservative."

Helm said he brings his speciality in debt management and attention to detail to the table because of his farming background and running his own business.

Helm grew up in Irma, near Wainwright, where he continues to farm. He owns a vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycle restoration and repair business out of his home in Normandeau.

"I can learn and do anything I am passionate about," said Helm.

"I am passionate about this city. I am passionate about the fact that it needs a lot of repairs.

"Repairs are getting done in the wrong places."

One thing Helm would like to see is more attention paid to north Red Deer. He noted Coun. Frank Wong is the only councillor residing in the north.

"I think that's one of the reasons things are getting out of control there," he said.

"Right now there seems to be a lot of attention in south Red Deer and not in the north."

Helm said he is not entering politics to create more laws but to ensure the laws in place are enforced. He says litter laws, poop and scoop pickup and distracted driving are not being enforced.

Helm has lived in Red Deer for 20 years and is a divorced father of one and grandfather of two, with another on the way.

He taught shop at Hunting Hills High School for four years.