Foothills County Division 4 Candidate for 2025 Municipal Election: I have enjoyed getting to know many of you while serving as Division 4 Councillor over the past years. We have worked together to find solutions to challenges and joined forces to make our community a great place to live. As noted earlier this year, I have submitted my nomination papers and am running as a candidate for Division 4. It would be an honour to continue as Division 4 Councillor, in partnership with you, bringing my passion and dedication to the many projects currently underway and the new ones that emerge. I will:
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Continue fighting for our rural perspective to be included by all levels of government.
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Be creative in the face of challenge and stand strong for fairness in decision-making with County matters, issues between neighbouring communities, and with inter-governmental dynamics.
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Gain ground in areas of interest for residents while being careful of any associated tax burden, keep taxes steady, the budget well-managed and strike a balance between service level and taxes.
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Make informed planning decisions on developing our area, keeping in mind the cumulative effects of all our activities on the landscape, respecting resident input and direction given through our local County plans.
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Build relationships with neighbouring municipalities and other government to provide solutions that spend tax dollars efficiently and represent the interests of Foothills residents in these endeavors.
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Collaborate on: tackling rural crime, coordinating emergency services, delivering effective 9-1-1 service, improving road safety, constructing prioritized road and infrastructure projects, sharing wildfire preparation strategies, and dealing with agricultural issues (including - livestock, bugs, disease, crops, environment, land, water, weather, weeds, hunting, wildlife and more).
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Research new opportunities and promote dialogue including diverse perspectives.
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Support business, including agriculture, tourism, energy, and encouraging industrial development within our Highway 2A Industrial Corridor to increase services, diversify our tax base, create jobs and trade prospects.
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Plan for the future, find ways to improve rural services, reduce red tape, streamline processes and build our community vision for recreation.
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Join in with our local watershed management groups to develop water protection, share awareness about flood and drought preparedness, promote resilient development from lessons learned, and strategize sub-regional water and wastewater projects.
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Help our community maintain its rural character, natural beauty, open spaces and enjoy the benefits of country living.
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Preserve the scenic views along our Highways, promote our “Dark Sky Country” initiative and support areas for cherished cultural heritage activities, including our community associations and agricultural societies.
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Assist residents in understanding our municipal services, departments, guidelines, plans, budget, taxes, jurisdiction and navigating our processes.
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Provide information on municipal resources and practices to help residents with their proposed projects and guide impacted neighbours when they wish to participate in the public processes regarding development that affects them.
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Communicate with residents through writing a monthly article for the High Country News, sending email updates and posting news through Facebook and other media.
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Stay connected with residents by hosting public meetings on relevant topics and by volunteering in the community and with our local rural crime watch.
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Represent residents effectively using experience gained through public service, as a business owner, and as a long-time rural landowner.
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Make a positive contribution to the County by bringing skills to the table: being energetic, organized, a team-player, analytical, technology savvy, future-thinking, resourceful, collaborative, environmental-minded, and respectful in communication with other council members, staff, businesses and residents.
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Welcome continued interaction on the topics which matter to you.
I sincerely thank you for considering support of my candidacy for Division 4.
As we face a changing world, I hope to continue working together with you to enhance and protect our beautiful home in the Foothills.
Please contact me with any questions or comments you may wish to share and discuss: 403.931.2711 or via Email.
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Upcoming 2025 Municipal Election: will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025. For more information about the election and candidates, please visit: https://www.foothillscountyab.ca/government/elections
We live in: a rural municipality, a separate local-government corporate entity, subject to the provincial department of Municipal Affairs, and laws of Alberta, Canada and our own Bylaws. Municipalities come in different forms, including counties, municipal districts, specialized municipalities, cities, towns and villages. These Hamlets are within the jurisdiction and boundaries of Foothills County: Aldersyde, Blackie, Cayley, De Winton, Hartell, Heritage Pointe, Millarville, Naptha, Priddis and Priddis Greens.
23,000+ people: call this beautiful rural municipality “home”. Our County features the foothills, rivers and prairie of sunny, southern Alberta, with 15,380+ titled properties, covering an area of approximately 3,600 square kilometres. The County maintains over 2,000 kilometres of road and features Provincial primary Highways 2 & 22, providing easy access to markets and an ideal location for homes, farms and businesses. We are next-door to Calgary and 13 other municipal neighbours. Foothills is also part of a collaboration of all 69 counties and municipal districts, called the Rural Municipalities of Alberta.
Foothills County: is divided into 7 electoral divisions, each represented by a Councillor. I am writing to you from Division 4 (tourquise colour on above map). Boundaries: West - K-Country, East- 85 St W Calgary or 144 St W, South - 242 Ave W, North - Tsuut'ina Nation. As your local councillor, it is my pleasure to assist you with matters of a municipal nature and also help refer you to other resources. You can find more details here: https://www.foothillscountyab.ca/
Division 4 Councillor Tasks: I conscientiously prepare for and attend weekly full-day Council meetings, have on-going interaction (work, support, meetings) with residents, community associations, businesses, school divisions, provincial & federal departments & representatives, attend conferences, and work on current issues. I participate as a member on these Boards/Committees: Alberta Municipal Climate Leadership Council, Bow River Basin Council, Calgary Regional Airshed Zone, Cross Conservancy, Dark Sky Initiatives Stakeholders Working Group (Chairperson), Foothills Regional Emergency Services 9-1-1 Commission (Chairperson), Foothills Rural Policing Committee, Inter-Municipal Committees (Calgary, Okotoks (alt), Diamond Valley (alt)), Highwood Management Plan Public Advisory Committee, North West Foothills Recreation Board, Priddis - Red Deer Lake Recreation Board, and Rural Fire Board (Chairperson). In my role as chairperson for the 3 Boards, I work hard to facilitate communications and operations.
Residents are supported by many services: administration of Foothills County, agricultural services (maintenance, brushing, weed control, education, advice), assessment department, bulk-fill water stations, building permits and safety codes, cemeteries, community clean-up support, corporate services and financial management, 7 councillors, council meetings, 9-1-1 call answer and fire dispatch, emergency management, family and community support services, fire department (+ equipment, burn permits, inspections), garbage disposal (full cost recovery, some hamlets), 2x garbage transfer stations (75% subsidized), grant funding admin, inter-municipal planning, legislative services, libraries, mapping, planning and development admin (reviewing & approving applications, permitting, coordinating public hearings), recreation and parks + facilities, regional landfill and Frank Lake management, road construction and maintenance by public works (snow removal, grading, gravel, bridge repair, culverts, mowing, equipment, vehicles, dust control product, responses to weather surprises), shared admin building and 3 workshops, staff for all departments, Stars ambulance, tax department, traffic and bylaw enforcement services, various committees for community support, water/wastewater services (full cost recovery, some areas), social media, website, and Western Wheel subscription (minutes, hearing and development notices).
Planning: As we face an increase in demand for services, we must plan for the future in order to be equitable throughout our municipality, take our residents’ views into consideration, mitigate impacts, consider regional efficiencies, maintain adequate service levels and carefully keep taxes reasonable. Your input has been included in our Municipal Development Plan, Growth Strategy, Inter-Municipal Plans, and recently in Secondary Suites. We continue to collaborate with different levels of government and our neighbours to achieve resolutions to problems. We’re planning for and encouraging industrial/commercial development in our Hwy 2A Industrial Corridor, looking for income to offset and reduce taxes on residential assessment. Work is under way to review our Municipal Development Plan in the coming months.
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