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Harris to continue fight for amenities

City council incumbent Paul Harris promises to represent residents at the table and fight for more amenities, including a 50-metre pool and a concert hall in Red Deer.
Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff
Paul Harris city council candidate
City council incumbent Paul Harris promises to represent residents at the table and fight for more amenities

City council incumbent Paul Harris promises to represent residents at the table and fight for more amenities, including a 50-metre pool and a concert hall in Red Deer.

Harris, 51, is seeking a second mandate after what he calls a good first term that left some loose ends, including the long awaited 50-metre pool, opening the conversations on a concert hall, environmental issues and developing Riverlands.

“We need to be able to address our financial position with our social amenities, as well as our wastewater, sewage, roads and all the other day-to-day things that keep our city functioning,” said Harris.

“If we don’t have the social infrastructure with it, we’re going to have beige and boring. Everyone can get where they are going but they have no place to go.”

Harris said his 20 years of business experience in property development, housing, retail and tourism in the community bodes well on council when dealing with the large city budgets.

Harris said transforming Ross Street to a place of culture and innovation from a street with closed buildings and strip bars is another example of why his experience that sets him apart from other candidates.

Harris said he is creative with solid business sense.

Harris said he followed through on his 2010 commitment to give residents a voice at the table.

“I have been open,” said Harris, noting his use of social media but maintains the best conversations are face-to-face.

“I wear my heart on my sleeve. I say this is what I think and this is what I am hearing. I try to honour those voices.”

Over the last three years, Harris was happy with council’s work on the strategic direction.

He said opening the Blue Grass Sod Farms Central Spray & Play and the Glendale Skate Park have made a difference.

Harris has lived in Red Deer for more than 20 years with partner Terry Warke.

Also in the running are incumbents Buck Buchanan, Dianne Wyntjes, Lynne Mulder and Frank Wong.

Councillors Cindy Jefferies and Tara Veer and newcomers William Horn and Chad Mason are vying for mayor.

Other council hopefuls are Jerry Anderson, Dan McKenna, 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.

crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com