Here's my campaign flyer, hot off the press.
LEAJ flyer 2010 FINAL2010-09-30
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
New Website Launched for the Town of Peace River
Peace River has finally has launched its new website and it looks great. There are still some issues to work out, content to load, and redirecting to take place (Google is still finding the old website), but it's live and much easier to navigate than the old one. Congratulations to past and current Town staff who have worked so hard on this!
The new site's address is www.peaceriver.net and will later also be reachable by www.peaceriver.ca
The old site can still be accessed (for awhile yet).
The new site's address is www.peaceriver.net and will later also be reachable by www.peaceriver.ca
The old site can still be accessed (for awhile yet).
Friday, September 24, 2010
Learning About Islam in Peace River
In the interests of promoting cultural understanding, I'm once again moderating a short session about Islam tomorrow (September 25) at 2:00-3:00 PM at the Sawridge Inn in Peace River, (doors open at 2:30). The event is presented by Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at. There is no charge but registration is requested so organizers know how much is needed for refreshments--call 1-866-208-2683. The topic is the Islamic perspective on the theory of evolution.
Peace River's Candidates for the 2010 Election
Former Mayor Lorne Mann is challenging incumbent Iris Callioux. These two candidates faced each other in 2007, with Ms. Callioux defeating incumbent Mann.
There are nine nominees for the six spots on Council. These are, in alphabetical order:
This is a strong group of candidates, which speaks well for citizen engagement in Peace River. In the best of my worlds, the election on Oct. 18 will see the return of Mayor Callioux, the three incumbent councillors, and three newcomers. When I was elected in 2007, it was reassuring to have the experience of three people who had been on Council for many years as we newbies climbed the steep learning curve of our first year.
We were welcomed and our perspectives heard as relationships and trust were built within Council, with administration, and with our neighbouring municipalities. Mayor, councillors and administration have formed an effective team with a long list of accomplishments in three short years. (More on these accomplishments in future posts.)
Of course, we didn't always agree and there were heated discussions at times. But we were always respectful and maintained the spirit of finding effective ways to address the challenge of balancing the many competing demands on Town resources. I hope this spirit will remain, regardless of the election results.
There are nine nominees for the six spots on Council. These are, in alphabetical order:
- Leslie Ayre-Jaschke (incumbent)
- North Darling
- Cole George
- Kristjanna Grimmelt
- Robert Lafontaine
- Wanda Laurin (incumbent)
- Geoff Milligan (incumbent)
- Colin Needham
- Tom Tarpey
This is a strong group of candidates, which speaks well for citizen engagement in Peace River. In the best of my worlds, the election on Oct. 18 will see the return of Mayor Callioux, the three incumbent councillors, and three newcomers. When I was elected in 2007, it was reassuring to have the experience of three people who had been on Council for many years as we newbies climbed the steep learning curve of our first year.
We were welcomed and our perspectives heard as relationships and trust were built within Council, with administration, and with our neighbouring municipalities. Mayor, councillors and administration have formed an effective team with a long list of accomplishments in three short years. (More on these accomplishments in future posts.)
Of course, we didn't always agree and there were heated discussions at times. But we were always respectful and maintained the spirit of finding effective ways to address the challenge of balancing the many competing demands on Town resources. I hope this spirit will remain, regardless of the election results.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Unofficial Nomination Results: An election in the Town of Peace River
The unofficial results (nominees have 24 hours to reconsider) have us with two candidates for Mayor and nine for councillor (3 incumbents and 6 newcomers). That means we've got an election, which is great news for the Town!
Next step is to get those voters out for the advanced polls (October 12 & 15) and on October 18.
Next step is to get those voters out for the advanced polls (October 12 & 15) and on October 18.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Just Three Council Meetings Before the Election: Come & Observe
Monday (September 20th) is municipal Nomination Day in Alberta. Anyone interested in running for Mayor or Councillor will file his or her nomination papers between 10:00 and Noon (some municipalities have extended hours, but Peace River does not). I'll be there with my papers and $25 cash!
An official list of candidates will be issued on Tuesday because nominees have 24 hours to withdraw (if there are more candidates than positions). But anyone can go to the Town Office after 1:00 on Monday to view the nomination papers. It will be very exciting to see who else has made that big decision to run for office.
The election is on October 18, which leaves just three Council meetings left for anyone who wants to observe the current Council in action (Sept. 20th and October 4th Committee-of-the-Whole meetings and September 27th regular meeting). You are more than welcome to attend the public portion of the meeting, which starts at 5:00 in the Council Chambers. The door you enter is on the North end of the Town Office--closest to Panago.
The agenda package for any regular, special or Committee-of-the-Whole meeting is on the Town's website by the end of the business day on the Friday before a meeting. Mayor and Council download and read that package to prepare for the meeting. It is also available for anyone else to download, print, or read online. This is a great way to keep up-to-date on what is happening and to know whether there is anything being discussed that is of interest or concern to you. Here's the link to the agenda package for Monday's meeting.
Residents are welcome to contact the Mayor, Councillors, or Town staff before the meeting if they have questions or want to make their views known before the issue is discussed (and of course, any other time as well).
An official list of candidates will be issued on Tuesday because nominees have 24 hours to withdraw (if there are more candidates than positions). But anyone can go to the Town Office after 1:00 on Monday to view the nomination papers. It will be very exciting to see who else has made that big decision to run for office.
The election is on October 18, which leaves just three Council meetings left for anyone who wants to observe the current Council in action (Sept. 20th and October 4th Committee-of-the-Whole meetings and September 27th regular meeting). You are more than welcome to attend the public portion of the meeting, which starts at 5:00 in the Council Chambers. The door you enter is on the North end of the Town Office--closest to Panago.
The agenda package for any regular, special or Committee-of-the-Whole meeting is on the Town's website by the end of the business day on the Friday before a meeting. Mayor and Council download and read that package to prepare for the meeting. It is also available for anyone else to download, print, or read online. This is a great way to keep up-to-date on what is happening and to know whether there is anything being discussed that is of interest or concern to you. Here's the link to the agenda package for Monday's meeting.
Residents are welcome to contact the Mayor, Councillors, or Town staff before the meeting if they have questions or want to make their views known before the issue is discussed (and of course, any other time as well).
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Pick Up the Peace: September 15, 2010
The Town of Peace River Community Services and Tim Horton's are organizing a clean-up campaign on September 15. I usually participate in the clean-ups, but will be away for this one. I hope there is a great turnout.
Residents can register at Tim Horton's between Noon and 8:00, where they'll get their garbage bags and gloves and be dispatched to an area of town that needs attention.
All volunteers will be treated to a complimentary bowl of soup or chili and a beverage after their contribution. Many thanks to Tim Horton's continuing support of these initiatives.
If you need more information, call Community Services at 780-624-1000.
Residents can register at Tim Horton's between Noon and 8:00, where they'll get their garbage bags and gloves and be dispatched to an area of town that needs attention.
All volunteers will be treated to a complimentary bowl of soup or chili and a beverage after their contribution. Many thanks to Tim Horton's continuing support of these initiatives.
If you need more information, call Community Services at 780-624-1000.
U of A's Innovative Approach to Getting Medical Students Into Rural Practice
Peace River is one of the sites mentioned in this article from the Edmonton Journal--"U of A initiative woos future doctors to choose rural practice." Our physicians participate in this program as well as the 9-month integrated clerkship program and are to be commended for this commitment. These programs are a great way to highlight what our community and the region has to offer as well as give the students a chance to see just how varied, interesting, and exciting rural practice can be. And if we're fortunate, some may even plan to come back to Peace River when they're finished their education. Kudos to the U of A and our local medical community.
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