My Policy Platform

It is time to move Chestermere forward. 

Too much time has been spent debating past issues, laying blame for past mistakes, and reiterating past failures. It has divided our community and hurt our reputation throughout the province and across the country. It is time to move on. Chestermere is an incredible city filled with a diverse group of hard working residents and loving families and we should focus on building a future that nurtures and grows our community. You cannot drive a car by looking in the rear view mirror and you cannot lead a government by focusing on the past. This is a new council, a new mayor, and a new day in Chestermere. As your Mayor I will move the city of Chestermere forward.

Chestermere needs new schools. Period. I spent 14 years of my career as an educator and I saw firsthand the difference individualized treatment can make in the life of a student. Our children deserve better than overcrowded classrooms and as Mayor of Chestermere, I will work with all relevant stakeholders to make sure it happens.

New High School: Chestermere needs a new high school and I want to model that development after other highly successful facilities in the province that feature an attached recreation centre. Building a high school attached to a recreation centre will qualify us for more government grants that will save the taxpayers money and create a facility that will be enjoyed by both our high school students and all the residents of Chestermere.

Elementary, Middle, and High School Projects: Schools in Chestermere are prioritized and funded by Rocky View Schools and Calgary Catholic Schools, I will work with Rocky View Schools, Calgary Catholic Schools and the province of Alberta to make building schools in Chestermere a priority. I will keep this on each city agenda until we have shovels in the ground.

Building a Plan for the Future: We cannot afford to wait until our schools are at capacity before planning new ones. We need to create a plan that ties the number of schools to the growth of our population. We need to get ahead of the demand instead of constantly playing catch up. I will work with council, administration, and developers to include school plans in phase one of all new developments.

Recreation is a core attraction of Chestermere, people move here because it is a family friendly community featuring beautiful lakeside views, nature paths, and facilities for people of all ages to gather. Chestermere is growing quickly and we need to upgrade our facilities to meet the new needs of our residents.

Acquire Existing Recreation Centre Land: The land that our current recreation centre sits on is owned by Rocky View County which limits the Chestermere Recreation Centre Association's options for use of the land. I will sit down with the appropriate stakeholders to acquire the land for Chestermere and ensure it remains a recreational cornerstone of the community.

Additional Recreation Facilities: Chestermere requires additional recreation facilities to meet the needs of our growing population. I will secure funding and break ground on an additional recreation centre in Chestermere. I believe that the recreation centre should be connected to the future high school because it qualifies Chestermere for a wider range of government grants and would save tax payer money. 

A Safe Place for Youth: Chestermere is home to many young people who deserve safe and engaging facilities to gather with friends year round. I will ensure that our recreation centres feature enriching youth programs, affordable activities, organized sports, and free spaces for youth to socialize.

An Accessible Place for Seniors: Our recreation facilities need to have a comfortable and accessible place for our city's seniors to gather, socialize, host events, and stay active. I will ensure there are senior focused spaces in our recreation centres including metting areas and walking tracks.

Retaining Current Recreation Spaces: I will work with community stakeholders, developers, and council to ensure that we do not lose any of our current recreational spaces to other developments.

Mayor's Task Force: I will create a Mayor's Task Force focused on supporting Chestermere's current recreation providers, identifying additional services that would benefit the community, keeping services accessible and affordable, and expanding our services to meet the needs of our growing community. 

Recreation to Build Community: Recreation is about building community. It is about bringing people together to learn, play, relax, get active, and get to know your neighbours.

As a teacher in the public school system, I led students. As a vice principal in the Palliser school system, I led students and faculty. As the executive director of the second largest non-profit in Chestermere I led a full team of staff and thousands of children. As the president of the Chestermere Chamber of Commerce, I led a board in supporting businesses in our community. As a councillor, I led my community. 

Over my 23 years in leadership positions I learned that the job of a leader isn't to control and micromanage the progress of others, it is to create an environment where creativity, innovation, passion, and inspiration have a place to grow. I learned that the best leaders understand that they can't know everything and that there are times when they must seek and consider the advice and council of experts.  Leadership is about the discussion of ideas, the welcoming and encouragement of different opinion, and the ability to move forward in the best interests of the organization. As Mayor, I will create this environment on council so that we are moving forward with the best ideas for Chestermere.

That is the type of Mayor I will be for you.

I will encourage open discussion of all issues in council from residents, stakeholders, and elected officials. I will promote independent voting and encourage each councillor to listen to the direction of their constituents. When disagreements arise in council, I will treat them as an opportunity to learn a different perspective and work with my colleagues to come to an suitable solution. I will put aside my own agenda and focus on providing what the people of Chestermere want me to do. I will foster healthy relationships between council members and members of administration to ensure a respectful, effective, and responsive government for you.

As your Mayor, I will work with you and my colleagues to move Chestermere forward.

Your government works for you. As Mayor and council our role is to listen to you and create the infrastructure and the environment you need to succeed. I believe that personal interests need to be left at the door of the council chambers and that is how I intend to govern.

Question Period: I will reintroduce question period and have it added as a standing item on council meeting agendas so that residents have the opportunity to voice concerns, comment on current policies, and introduce new issues to council. You deserve to have your voice heard and as your Mayor I will make it happen.

Coffee with Council: I will reintroduce regularly scheduled "coffee with council" events so that constituents have the opportunity to meet with councillors one-on-one in an unofficial and low pressure environment. This will be a forum where residents can discuss issues, ask questions, and make suggestions to council.

Schedule Meetings with Council: I will introduce a program that empower residents of Chestermere to schedule a 15 minute private chat with any member of council or the Mayor. 

Community Engagement: I have always been an active part of the community, as your Mayor, I will continue to show up at doors, events, and meetings throughout the year to get feedback, answer questions, and learn about new issues from the residents of Chestermere.

Events: If you want a member of council to attend one of your events send us the details and I will ensure that a representative of the city or council attends your event.

Consultations with Stakeholders: Before council passes any policies or bylaws that will impact Chestermere, I will ensure that all relevant stakeholders are properly consulted and their input meaningfully applied to the decision.

Chestermere is one of the fastest growing communities in Alberta and we need to break ground on infrastructure projects that create manageable growth while protecting spirit of what makes Chestermere - Chestermere. 

Twin Chestermere Blvd (17th Ave): 78% of Chestermere residents work outside of Chestermere, with many working in Calgary. A single-lane highway is not enough to accommodate the traffic on this thoroughfare. I will work with developers, the City of Calgary, the Province of Alberta, and our local government to twin 17th avenue so the people of Chestermere are able to get to and from work quickly and safely.

Repave Rainbow Road North:  As your Mayor, I will work with administration to have Rainbow Road North repaired and repaved  

Commercial Development:  Chestermere has a shortage of affordable commercial spaces and commercial amenities. I will work with council and administration to build a balanced development strategy in Chestermere that ensures the number of commercial developments are established proportionally to the number of residential developments. I will vote to make sure that commercially designated land does not get changed to residential land.

Transit: Chestermere is growing in population and landmass and we need to ensure we have the transportation infrastructure to accommodate an expanding and developing Chestermere. Similar sized cities in Alberta such as Okotoks, Cochrane, and Beaumont have municipal run transit systems and it is time that Chestermere operated a similar system. We need to have a method for our youth, our seniors, and our residents with mobility restrictions to get around the city. As your Mayor, I will begin the process of getting a transit system in Chestermere.

Municipal Development Plan: Chestermere needs an updated Municipal Development Plan (MDP). As your Mayor I will spearhead the development of a new long-term plan for Chestermere. The MDP will provide a high-level blueprint that will help us shape what Chestermere looks like as we move forward. It allows us to plan for the future while maintaining the qualities that make Chestermere - Chestermere. It will help us create balanced growth between population, services, green space, schools, and more.

Economic Plan: It is important that the number of service providers in Chestermere grows proportionally with the population. There needs to be enough daycares, grocery stores, medical providers, retail spaces, recreation spaces and other amenities to support our city's growth.

Social Plan: As we expand out geographically, we need to ensure that we continue to build connections and relationships between community members. We need to maintain that close and neighbourly atmosphere that makes Chestermere so special.  We need to further ensure that proper social supports are available and accessible through our social service sector. 

Environmental Plan: We need to make sure we preserve the same rate of green space, parks, wetlands, and walking routes that we currently have in Chestermere. Additionally, as the population grows we will need to implement more policies to protect our lake and existing green spaces.

Zoning and Residential Development: Chestermere is a city of single-family homes, a place where families have room to grow. Maintaining these larger lots keeps the growth in Chestermere at a manageable pace and gives us the time to develop public and private infrastructure. As we build our communities, we want to maintain the cohesive appearance of our city so that no matter where you are in Chestermere, you recognize you are in Chestermere. We also want to promote community interconnectivity and walkability through walking paths, nearby amenities, transit, and green spaces. Finally, we want to create infrastructure that supports aging in place. 

Chestermere needs to attract more businesses. We need to execute strategies and implement policies that tell entrepreneurs and investors that "Chestermere is open for business". 

Supporting Current Businesses: We need to celebrate and patronize our current local businesses. I will work with the Chestermere Chamber of Commerce and host open houses with business owners to develop government plans that will foster economic growth. 

Attracting New Business: We want people to invest in Chestermere. I will promote business friendly policies to attract investment in Chestermere. Chestermere is open for business. 

I have been involved in the Chestermere not-for-profit community for nearly a decade. We are very fortunate to have an active not-for-profit sector that provides social services, recreational opportunities, and community support for the people of Chestermere. The City of Chestermere must renew its commitment to the not-for-profit sector by engaging with the community to identify funding requirements, designated spaces, developing programs, and more. As Mayor, I will work with Chestermere’s not-for-profit community. 

Mayor’s Task Force: I will create a Mayors Task Force that will bring together representatives of the not-for-profit community and city administrators to develop an effective and equitable way for funding to be distributed to the sector. 

As Chestermere grows and develops, the type and scope of municipals services will evolve and I will make sure that we continue to fund vital projects while keeping your taxes affordable.

Property Taxes and Property Valuations: I will investigate the recent property valuations in Chestermere. I have heard from residents that some properties were valued at over $100,000 more than what they were valued at last year. This is an outrageous increase and the affected properties need to be re-evaluated more fairly and the regulations surrounding property valuations in Chestermere need to be reviewed. You deserve to build equity in your home for your future and your children's futures, but your property taxes should not force you out of your home.

Keep Government Small - Keep Government Effective: I am a fiscal conservative so I believe in small government, but I also believe in a functional and active municipal government. The government's job is to provide the infrastructure and services that the people need to grow businesses, start families, stay healthy, and plan for retirement

Public and Private Grants: I will work with council and administration and continue to utilize the various public and private grants available to subsidize projects in Chestermere to provide you with better programs at a lower price.