Since first being elected in 2013, I have worked diligently to serve the people of Ward 2 to the best of my abilities. If elected again, I will continue to work for your benefit, fight to make our neighborhoods better, and our communities stronger. 

I have called Strathcona County my home now for 18 years, and that is one of the reasons why I am so invested in its growth and ultimate prosperity. I am raising three daughters here and as such, I’ve been involved with schools, participated in local events, and know how important resources are to Strathcona County.

Of course, during my tenure thus far as Councillor, I have made every effort to get involved in all aspects of community life and I have worked hard to connect with the residents in my ward. My contributions have led to the development and support of numerous social planning programs and successful community initiatives. The Seniors Advisory Committee, Youth Advisory Committee, and Accessibilities Committee were reinstated allowing these important demographics to have a voice.  This was the result of a motion that I tabled in early 2018. As a former member of the RCMP Committee, I have addressed critical issues centering on the safety of our residents and the overall integrity of our community, both rural and urban. 

I love this community and have always strived to do that little bit extra to make a difference in our neighborhood today. Throughout my time in office, I have protected mature neighborhoods through the creation of the Mature Neighborhood Strategy and initiated the revitalization of the Glen Allen Recreation Centre. I also ensured that Emergency Services are fully staffed and functional to meet the needs of our community. 

I have also given Strathcona County and Ward 2 a voice at a regional level through my work on the Capital Region Transit Board, Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Commission, and the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association’s Safe and Healthy Communities Committee. Advocacy at these levels is important to the continued growth of our community and region. I have worked with the community to deliver on traffic safety initiatives and was instrumental in creating the community-led Traffic Safety Advisory Committee. 

As a former appointee of Strathcona County’s Community Living Advisory Committee (CLAC), I was afforded the opportunity to directly address a diverse array of needs and deal directly with the people affected. Through my initiative Food-4-Food, I brought local businesses and residents together in support of the Strathcona Food Bank, generating over $3,000 in donations and collecting more than 19,000 pounds of food. In 2016, I sought to put a focus on healthy living through a community-wide endeavor, “Be Caught Being Active”.  For this effort, I was presented with the 2016 Choose Well Leadership Award from Alberta Recreation and Parks.

As a local small business owner and a former transit safety inspector and operator, I am as much a working member of this County as I am a Councillor. I will always listen and act upon what residents feel are priorities to them.  I will always strive to be active in all aspects of community life and put my residents’ thoughts and concerns first.

In many ways, this is what my last two terms have been about—being open and available to my constituents. You elected me because I was a regular community member who wanted to make a difference. I am and always will be accessible to the people of Ward 2. 

As part of my role as a Councillor, I participate in the following committees: 

• Youth Advisory Committee 
• Governance Advisory Committee 
• Priorities Committee
• Emergency Advisory Committee

As an ambassador for Strathcona County, I hold or have held board positions at various regional tables including:

• Vice Chair, Alberta Capital Region Wastewater Commission (present)
• Vice Chair, Edmonton Metropolitan Region Servicing Plan Standing Committee (present)
• Member, Inter-City Forum on Social Policy (present)
• EMRB Transit Task Force (present)
• Canadian Urban Transit Association Standing Committee (present)

• Chair, Heartland Housing Foundation (2017-2018)
• Community Living Advisory Committee (CLAC) (2015 – 2017)
• Member AUMA Safe and Healthy Communities (2016-2018)
• Vice Chair, Edmonton Metropolitan Region Servicing Plan Task Force (2019-2020)

I also held positions with local advocacy organizations:

• Director, e4c 
• Former Vice Chair of Saffron Centre

Originally from Kamloops, my advocacy for Indigenous Peoples stems from my experience growing up on the Skeetchestn First Nations Reserve. I am dedicated to bringing awareness to the many unprecedented circumstances that Indigenous peoples have endured and furthering the Calls to Action as outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. 

My lifelong commitment to excellence in the boardroom and my desire to remain current is reflected in my completion of the Executive Leadership Program from the University of Alberta in 2016 and my ICD.D designation in 2019. 

As a single father of three daughters, I understand the challenges that many people face in balancing a career and family. Karen, Mackenzie, and Molly are my inspiration to work my hardest to help maintain a safe and caring community for the families of Sherwood Park. 

Because Strathcona County is My Home, and this Community is Important… 

Over the course of the last 8 years, I have worked diligently to prove myself to my constituents. My goal was and always will be to understand where you stand, what you want from your community, and how you expect your Councillor to perform. One of the achievements I am most proud of is that I have been available and accessible to my residents. I will continue this level of accessibility in my next term. 

From my Food-4-Food initiative to my championing of Strathcona’s small businesses, to my work with our area’s parks and recreational facilities, I look forward to continuing to serve you and advocate for you.