The second candidate who will be running under the Red Deer First banner has announced his candidacy.
Darren Young, 48, announced he will be running for a spot on City council in this year’s municipal election. He seeks election as part of Red Deer First, a group of like-minded individuals who will be running with the same principles regarding the role of the City’s municipal government.
“I have chosen to campaign with Red Deer First because we share the same fundamental principles regarding the role of a municipal government. Putting Red Deer First, we all bring our own ideas on how to improve our City,” said Young.
Young has lived in Red Deer for the past five years. He currently works as the IT manager for Red Deer County.
“I have always been interested in public service. In fact, I have worked for 20 years in the municipal government setting. In that time, I have seen what works and what doesn’t when it comes to running a successful city,” said Young.
If elected, Young said his top priorities will include better budget management, to tackle the issue of rising crime in the City and concentrate on public safety and to improve the accountability of council.
“The current council has shown both its contempt for the democratic rights of our constituents, and its self serving intent to keep their offices by repeatedly derailing a plebiscite for an elected ward system. I believe the people of Red Deer want their vote to matter. Even though the plebiscite has passed it’s really kind of sad that it took this much momentum from the citizens to let council know how far apart they were from the citizens’ views,” he said. “That amount of movement, pushing them to get to the right direction – that should emphasize how far out of touch they are on a lot of others things — one would hope.
“Citizens want to know that the person they elect has their everyday interests in mind and not just those of the loudest lobby group, such as the bike lane supporters.”
He added he believes working in the municipal government sector for a number of years will be a benefit if he is elected.
“I think my knowledge of how local government actually works will be a benefit. Budgets for anyone who walks into a municipal government even as an employee, certainly as a councillor, are complex and difficult to understand. I think I will bring some clarity to that process. I think I will bring some advantages as to how we can find some cost-savings and hopefully find some better ways to produce service as well.”
Young added he is looking forward to hitting the campaign trail.
“Red Deer is such a great place to live. I am so excited to be part of this great community and I am thrilled to be part of the change that will keep this City a prosperous, safe and citizen-focused for years to come.”
efawcett@reddeerexpress.com
