October 18, 2004 is Election Day in Red Deer.  Return to Election Forum - City Council Candidates

Larry Pimm Candidate for City Council

 

Some Highlights From the Last Term

First Cultural Capital of Canada

• Red Deer was among the first group of five Canadian communities to be recognized as a “Cultural Capital of Canada.” What a tremendous coup. How was this accomplished? I believe teamwork between vibrant community groups and The City of Red Deer is the key.

Red Deer Transit Grows and Changes

• The Red Deer Transit Terminal opened. Bright, spacious, and functional, this terminal enhances patron safety now and in the future.
• Implementation of the recommendations in the recently completed “Transit / Transportation Study - 25 Year Strategy” will improve service in reasonable steps.
• The results of The Student Transportation Task Force saved students and their parents over a quarter of a million dollars. Operating efficiencies and increased ridership will cover the cost of this initiative. Real teamwork between Red Deer Transit and our two School Districts made this possible.
  

Red Deer’s Sustainable Growth

• Red Deer’s new neighborhoods will better reflect the principles of fiscal, environmental, and social sustainability. New development standards emphasize livability and efficiency.
  

Environmental Initiatives

• Completion of the Discussion Paper on Environmental Initiatives is a mile stone in environmental responsibility. It will lead to a number of initiatives in keeping with Red Deer’s long term commitment to a healthy environment.

Challenges on the Horizon

Planning, Planning, Planning!

• During periods of rapid growth, the value of sound planning becomes evident. Sound physical planning allows us to develop safe, attractive, livable communities. Sound financial planning enables us to turn good ideas into reality. Future Councils must remain committed to excellence in planning.
  

Protecting Our Water

• In the coming term, Red Deer will complete the upgrading of our water treatment plant. The best technical solutions available are expensive, but safe drinking water must be a top priority.
• Sewage treatment facilities will also be expanded and upgraded, in part to meet changing provincial regulations. Significant levels of debt will be incurred to complete both the water treatment plant and the waste water treatment plant.
• Red Deer must continue to pressure both government and industry to adopt wiser water use policies. Protecting the Red Deer River watershed and eliminating the practice of using potable water for oil extraction are important steps.
  

Managing Growth

• Emergency services and police services must expand to serve our new areas and growing population.
• The development of a new industrial park is a high priority. This term, plans must turn into action to meet our industry’s need for serviced industrial land.
• An effective transit service is an important piece in the puzzle to meet Red Deer’s transportation needs. As Red Deer grows, Red Deer Transit must keep pace.
• Upgrades and additions to our road system must be made in a planned way to meet the growing needs of a bustling city. The recently completed Transportation Plan Update provides the “road map.”

Renewal and Maintenance

• "Fix me now or fix me later!” It’s true at home and it’s true for The City of Red Deer. This is an area which we must give higher priority.
• The planned Dawe Centre renovations will be a welcome reinvestment, reinforcing the idea of balanced development in Red Deer.
• Our museum and archives are tremendous community assets. Renovating, expanding, or rebuilding are options which must be carefully weighed. Studies currently under way will clarify the choices.

Our Future Ambulance Service

• As the responsibility for ambulance service is assumed by the health region, we must work to insure three things:
• there must be no reduction in service levels
• the integrated fire / ambulance service should be retained
• funds provided by the province should end up easing local property taxes.

Striking a Balance

• As citizens of Red Deer we continue to enjoy high levels of service while paying among the lowest total tax and utility bills of all Alberta cities. Council and staff must continue to work as a creative, dedicated team so that the services we receive represent good value for our tax dollars.
• There will always be more good ideas than funds to implement them. Council must set priorities and balance desired services with acceptable tax levels. We are committed to remaining among the most efficient municipal organizations in Alberta.

Personal Background

• Resident of Red Deer since 1965, living in Oriole Park.

• Wife, Diane, and two grown sons.

• Completed a 33 year teaching career with the Red Deer Public School District.

• A member of Red Deer City Council from 1980 - 95 and 1998 - 2004.

• Active participation on a variety of committees this term including:
• Sustainable Community Steering Committee - Chairman
• Student Transportation Task Force - Chairman
• Environmental Advisory Board
• Recreation & Parks Board
• River Bend Golf & Recreation Society
• Westerner Exposition Board
• Crime Prevention & Policing Study Steering Committee
• Federation of Canadian Municipalities committees

 

• A member of the Red Deer Symphony Orchestra Board from 1995 - 2001.
  

On October 18

ELECT

LARRY PIMM

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