Buck Buchanan is campaigning for his third term on Red Deer City council.
Buchanan was first elected in 2007 and said his motivation for getting involved was during the 2004 election when one of the major issues was crime.
“I was still a member of the RCMP at that time and thought I knew a little about that issue. I was not successful in that election so returned to the Force and retired in 2005,” said Buchanan.
He said by 2007 he still felt he had something to offer to the citizens of Red Deer so he ran again and was elected.
Buchanan has also sat on two sub-committees with the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) and he has intentions to run for a board position for cities under 500,000 people.
“My future hopes for the City of Red Deer include making it even better and greater than it already is.”
He said Red Deer’s location is key being between two major centers consisting of nearly 3 million people.
“We need to capitalize on this situation to ensure we grow economically. With growth comes many challenges and this needs to have level-headed, hard working people at the table and I believe I am one of those people.”
Buchanan said during his time on council he believes they have turned a corner and that they have “Moved the dial in becoming leaders.”
He added that he believes the Capital Plan has been one of council’s biggest accomplishments they have entered into and that it has produced many successful outcomes.
“No one person does anything by themselves on Council. It takes at least five people to affect change and I believe our Curling Rink, Downtown School of Business, Centennial projects and Centrium upgrade all contribute to what I feel very proud of for our City.”
Buchanan believes local politics is the closest to the people and that when council hears when people don’t like things as a group or as individuals, that they try to work to make things better.
“I am a citizen and tax payer, and I take my responsibility very seriously. I love the city that I now choose to call home and want to be involved and this is one of the ways I can do that.”
He said he is now starting to see his fingerprints on various projects and that is very much an honour and he hopes to continue contributing with the support of Red Deerians. Buchanan has been on most boards that the City has representation on including, but not limited to, the Westerner board, the Parkland Airshed Management Zone board, Central Alberta Economic Partnership, the library board and Crimestoppers.
“I have been a co-chair of United Way for two years and last year we raised the largest amount of money for our community and Central Alberta than has ever been raised.”
He has also volunteered for many things within Red Deer and tries to help in any way he can. He is presently involved with the City’s bid for the 2019 Canada Winter Games which he feels would be a wonderful event for the City.
kpalardy@reddeerexpress.com
