Why Run?

My premise for running in this election is not to come out and make promises that I cannot keep.  I am a realist, and I understand that there is only so much we can do as a council.  If elected, I do however vow to make this council more accountable and transparent. 

I firmly believe that it is our responsibility as council, to make sure we make every attempt  to keep our ratepayers as informed as possible. Ratepayers need to know how their council's potential decisions on current issues will affect them as individuals.  I believe that the entire community has a right to know how council arrives at their final decisions and the reasoning behind each councillor's vote.   This future council will not hide "in-camera"!

Drainage has become a huge issue for parts of this Municipality over the past few years.  We need to sit down with various farmers, and find out what their issues are and what they propose to be the solution.  Who knows the land and it's problems better than the landowner?  This is something that council needs to work on together with our ratepayers, and collectively arrive at a better solution.  No more bandaid fixes.  Time to address this issue on a grander scale, rather than piece by piece.

The Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie has a lot to offer to potential businesses and industry.  I think it is time that we made the RM of Portage more visible and attractive for new development.  We need to find out what it takes to attract new industry to our municipality and act on those ideas and suggestions.  It is time for this municipality to become competitive and aggressive in seeking new development!

With future development, we can offer our youth more choices and opportunity, which will give them more reason to stay in our community.  Our youth is our future. The RM and the City of Portage la Prairie need to work together to keep our future here in the Municipality!

Running for this position is not something I intend to take lightly.  My family holds strong roots in this community and I have always been proud to call it home.  In order to build on the strengths of our diverse rural communities,  we need someone that isn't afraid to stand up and voice the ideas and concerns of the surrounding community.  I believe I have the listening skills and take charge attitude that it takes to do justice to the position of Reeve.  If given the chance, together with the municipalities support, I believe we can achieve great things.